Faversham is a historic market town in North East Kent, around 6 miles from Sittingbourne and 8 miles from Canterbury. It sits on the Swale estuary and is noted for its beautifully preserved centre; more than 500 listed buildings make up the streetscape.

Residents are proud of their heritage and work hard to preserve the town’s character. The iconic Guildhall, built as a market hall in 1574, still stands in the Market Place and hosts Charter Markets on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, as well as speciality markets including artisan markets and a monthly antiques market – one of the biggest in the South East.

Faversham Market is the oldest market in Kent, possibly in England, with a history stretching back over 1,000 years. The town blends its rich history with modern living, attracting families, commuters and heritage-lovers, giving Faversham a friendly and community-focused feel.

Faversham sits beside the A2/Watling Street and close to M2 junction 6, providing easy road access to London and the coast.

Rail services from Faversham station reach London St Pancras and Victoria in about an hour, and there are direct connections to Canterbury, Dover and Whitstable.

Local buses link nearby villages such as Ospringe, Oare, Selling and Boughton-under-Blean. The town itself is very walkable, and there are popular cycle routes along the Swale marshes.

Families choose Faversham for its good choice of schools. Primary options include Ethelbert Road, St Mary of Charity, Davington, Bysing Wood and Ospringe. Many residents also opt for nearby highly-rated village primaries such as Hernhill, Sheldwich and Eastling.

Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School provides selective secondary education, while The Abbey School offers comprehensive schooling. A range of independent schools in Canterbury are also within easy reach by bus.

The mix of strong schooling and community involvement makes Faversham particularly attractive to families.

Faversham’s cobbled Market Place is lined with independent shops, cafés, galleries and pubs. Standard Quay, a restored wharf on Faversham Creek, is home to antique warehouses, eateries and historic barges.

The town’s brewing heritage continues at Shepherd Neame Brewery – Britain’s oldest brewer, established in 1698 – which offers tours and tastings. Popular pubs and restaurants include The Sun Inn, Posillipo and The Three Mariners in nearby Oare.

Cultural events are a big part of local life, including the Faversham Hop Festival, the Festival of Transport, Faversham Literary Festival, Faversham Fringe Festival, and a wide range of performances and community events throughout the year.

Faversham has an impressive amount of green space. Faversham Recreation Ground offers cricket, football and tennis, while Faversham Pool provides both indoor and outdoor swimming.

There are plenty of countryside walks, including the Swale Trail – a 12.5-mile cycle and walking route linking Faversham to Sittingbourne – and the nearby Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The creekside footpath through Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park explores the town’s gunpowder-making heritage among woodland and wetlands. Other local attractions include Stonebridge Pond and the Abbey Physic Community Garden.

According to HM Land Registry data (via the ONS housing price portal), the average house price in Swale – the district containing Faversham – was £292,000 in July 2025, up 2.7% on July 2024. First-time buyers in Swale paid around £256,000.

Rightmove’s analysis of recent sales in Faversham shows an overall average price of £347,333 over the last year. Terraced homes averaged £340,666, semi-detached £356,169, and detached houses £475,964.

These figures place Faversham above the district average, reflecting its popularity and heritage appeal. Prices have softened slightly (around 2% down on the previous year) since peaking in 2022.

Private rental figures within Swale averaged £1,105 per month in August 2025, up 7.5% year-on-year.

Faversham offers a wide range of property types:

Historic centre – Georgian terraces and Victorian townhouses around the Market Place, Abbey Street and Preston Street. Highly desirable due to character and location.

Post-war estates – Areas such as Bysing Wood, Davington, Canterbury Road and the Macknade estate offer semi-detached and terraced homes with gardens, popular with families.

New developments – Perry Court, Faversham Lakes and developments off Love Lane and the Western Link offer modern, energy-efficient homes from two-bed coach houses to large five-bed detached homes, attracting commuters and growing families.

Surrounding villages – Oare, Goodnestone, Norton, Selling, Boughton-under-Blean and Hernhill feature period cottages, barn conversions and larger rural homes. Selling and Sheldwich sit within the Kent Downs AONB, offering rolling countryside, hop gardens and traditional village greens.

Faversham is a highly desirable place to live thanks to its heritage, schooling and strong community spirit. While prices are above the Swale average, the town remains more affordable than London and parts of West Kent.

If you’re thinking of selling, presentation and accurate pricing are essential. Local agents with deep knowledge of micro-neighbourhoods can help you secure the best outcome.

For buyers, it’s worth considering school catchments, parking (as some central streets can be narrow), and flood-risk areas closer to the creek. Registering for early alerts and working with a trusted local agent will give you an advantage in this competitive market.