OS grid reference TQ555415 Country England Post town Tunbridge Wells Shire county Kent UK parliament constituency Tunbridge Wells | Region South East Sovereign state United Kingdom Local time Wednesday 12:15 PM Dialling code 01892 | |
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Population 4,978 (2011 Census including Ashurst and Langton Green) Weather 12°C, Wind SW at 18 km/h, 83% Humidity District Borough of Tunbridge Wells | ||
Speldhurst is a village and civil parish in the borough of Tunbridge Wells in Kent, England. The parish is to the west of Tunbridge Wells: the village is 3 miles (5 km) west of the town.
Contents
- Map of Speldhurst Tunbridge Wells UK
- History
- Parish Church
- Local customs
- Parish villages and hamlets
- References
Map of Speldhurst, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Speldhurst has a primary school, a parish church, a general store with post office, a pub, a violin shop and a small business park.
History
The name Speldhurst derives from the Old English for 'wooded hill ('hyrst') where wood-chips ('speld') are found'.
Parish Church
St Mary's Church Speldhurst was designed by John Oldrid Scott and built by Hope Constable of Penshurst, being dedicated to St Mary on 6 May 1871. The stained glass windows are by Burne Jones and William Morris. At present the parish of Speldhurst is part of a united parish with Ashurst and Groombridge. A previous incumbent of St Mary's Church Speldhurst was Rev Baden Powell, the father of Lord Baden-Powell who founded the Scout Movement. Rev. Powell married his second wife in the Church, and she is buried in the churchyard.
Local customs
Speldhurst has an annual pram race on the second Sunday in May. There are various race categories of different age groups with the main event being two laps around the village. Contestants have to push a "baby" around the course and all have to down half a pint every time they pass the two drinks stations, one situated by the George and Dragon and the other by the old Northfields pub.