Snodland might not shout for attention. But give it a moment, and it draws you in.
Set between the soft rise of the North Downs and the winding River Medway, this small Kent town holds far more than meets the eye. It’s the kind of place where every street hints at a story. A town where chalk hills, water, and industry shaped life for generations, and still quietly do.
There’s a calm confidence here. You’ll find it in the old brickwork of cottages, the hum of local life, and the pride people take in their community. Places like Holborough Lakes show how Snodland continues to grow without losing its roots. It’s not flashy. But it feels lived in, loved, and layered.
Snodland doesn’t need to pretend. It knows exactly what it is, and that’s what makes it special.
Snodland has been around for a long time, more than 1,000 years. It first appeared in writing in 838 AD, when it was known as “Snoddingland,” land belonging to someone called Snodd or Snodda . By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, it had grown into a decent-sized village of 21 households [1], with farmers, smallholders, and even slaves working the fields, managing woodland, and milling grain [2].
In more recent years, the town has changed again. A major development plan turned the old Holborough Quarry into housing, with 1,200 homes built by Berkeley Homes since 2005. The economy shifted from industry to services, with firms like South East Water based here (previously Mid Kent Water, which started here in 1903). And since 1986, Snodland has been twinned with Moyeuvre-Grande in France, keeping its ties beyond the Kent border.
Snodland may be small, but it’s surprisingly easy to reach. Its position between major roads and the River Medway means it’s always been a place people pass through, or settle in. Today, that strong connectivity continues by car, train, and bus.
The A228 links Snodland directly to both the M20 and M2. From there, it’s just a short hop to towns like West Malling or Rochester.
Snodland Railway Station [3] is on the Medway Valley Line, with trains running north to Strood and south to Maidstone West and beyond [4].
Snodland is well served by a couple of key routes, plus wider local networks.
Bus services are useful but may require planning outside peak hours. Most residents still rely on cars for day-to-day travel.
| Mode | Key Routes/Stations | Operator/Provider | Key Destinations/Connections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | A228 | N/A | M20 (J4), M2 (J2), Rochester, West Malling |
| Train | Snodland Railway Station | Southeastern | Strood (for London), Maidstone West, Paddock Wood |
| Bus | Route 71 | Arriva | Maidstone, Leybourne Park |
| Bus | Route 151 | Nu-Venture | Chatham, Strood, Halling, West Malling, Kings Hill |
There’s more to Snodland than bricks and chalk. It’s a place where nature and community come together (click this link), offering green spaces, scenic walks, and local spots that bring people together.
Just south of Snodland sits Leybourne Lakes Country Park [7] [8]. Once gravel pits, it’s now a much-loved area of lakes, meadows, and woodlands. Managed by Tonbridge & Malling Leisure Trust (tmactive), it covers around 230 acres and has held a Green Flag Award for more than 15 years.
There’s something here for everyone:
Whether you’re after a peaceful stroll or something more active, this park is a real asset to the area.
Snodland is perfect for walking, from riverside rambles to hillside climbs.
You can go for a gentle lakeside stroll or take on a full day’s hike, all from the edge of town.
Snodland isn’t just green, it’s sociable too – article. Local facilities help people connect.
On Paddlesworth Road, this venue is run by the Snodland Community Association [14] [15]. It hosts sports classes, church groups, private parties, and more.
Facilities include:
It’s a busy place, filled with the rhythm of everyday local life.
While the Roman villa site near town remains unexcavated and closed to the public, some buildings still show Snodland’s deep roots:
These are privately owned, but their presence gives the town a real sense of time.
Snodland Town Council manages local open spaces, including:
Local clubs add even more energy. The town has:
Holborough Lakes [20] [21] also brings its own amenities, including a residents’ gym and walking routes.
And when the calendar rolls around, the town comes alive, with events like the Carnival, Fireworks Night, and Christmas Lights switch-on.
Snodland might be small, but it covers the essentials. From good schools to familiar pubs, it’s a town where daily life ticks along with a strong local rhythm.
You won’t find chain bars or flashy venues here. What you will find is a handful of traditional pubs and social clubs where locals come to relax, chat, and enjoy a drink.
For a deeper sense of local life, Snodland also has two long-standing working men’s clubs:
While neighbouring towns like West Malling and Rochester offer more choice for eating out, Snodland’s venues remain central to its social life, steady, familiar, and welcoming.
Families living in Snodland have access to a full range of schools, from nursery through to post-16 provision, all within the town.
Here’s a quick summary of Snodland’s schools:
| School Name | Type | Age Range | Ofsted Rating (Latest) | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snodland CofE Primary School | Primary (Voluntary Aided) | 4–11 | Good (2022) [43] | Roberts Road, ME6 5HL |
| St Katherine’s School & Nursery | Primary (Academy) | 3–11 | Good (previously); Report Jan 2024 [45] | St Katherine’s Lane, ME6 5EJ |
| Valley Invicta Primary at Holborough Lakes | Primary (Academy) | 4–11 | Good (2018); strong ungraded 2024 visit [48] | Pollyfield Close, ME6 5GR |
| The Holmesdale School | Secondary (Academy) | 11–18 | Awaiting first inspection as Academy [55] | Malling Road, ME6 5HS |
| Grow 19 LTD | Post-16/Independent Specialist | 18–25 | Not Applicable | Malling Road, ME6 5HS |
Snodland might not have dozens of schools, but what’s here covers all the bases, and most importantly, it’s improving. Families don’t have to travel far to give their children a good education.
At Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials, we know that losing someone you love is never easy. When that moment comes, you need more than a service, you need support, guidance, and someone who understands. That’s where we come in.
We’re a family-run funeral director with deep roots in Kent, including Snodland and nearby towns. We’ve been helping local families through difficult times for generations. Our role isn’t just to organise a funeral, it’s to help you honour a life in a way that feels right, respectful, and personal.
We offer:
We listen carefully. We never rush decisions. And we always respect your family’s traditions, beliefs, and wishes.
If you’re in Snodland or the surrounding villages, our Borough Green funeral home is just a short drive away, around 8 miles, taking about 10 minutes by car [65].
Address: 43 Western Road, Borough Green, Sevenoaks, TN15 8AL
Phone: 01732 780600
Email: boroughgreen@welhamjones.co.uk
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Weekends by appointment.
24-hour telephone response: We’re always on call, every day of the year, for immediate support .
Whether you need to make arrangements, visit a loved one in our chapel of rest, or ask a question, we’re close by, ready to help.
We’re also familiar with Snodland Cemetery [33] and local venues, which means we can make everything that bit easier when time matters most.
We may not have a branch right in the centre of Snodland, but that doesn’t change our promise. We’re here for this town just as we are for every place we serve. We understand the area, its people, and its needs. And we bring the same level of warmth, professionalism, and care to every family who walks through our door.
Whether you:
We’re always here to listen.
Call us: 01732 780600
Find us online: Visit our Borough Green location
Contact us for advice: welhamjones.co.uk/contact-us
To reach our funeral home in Borough Green from Snodland, the journey takes around 15–20 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Start by heading north-east from the centre of Snodland and follow the signs for Willowside. Continue along Willowside for a short distance, then turn left to remain on Willowside. After a few hundred feet, turn right onto Holborough Road. Continue for about 0.2 miles until you reach the main road.
Merge onto the A228 and continue straight. At the first roundabout, take the 4th exit to stay on the A228. Continue along this road for approximately 1.7 miles. When you reach the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Malling Road, which remains part of the A228.
Drive for another 0.7 miles, then take the 3rd exit at the following roundabout to join the M20 slip road, heading towards London. Merge onto the M20 motorway and stay on it for about 2.4 miles. Take the exit towards the M26, then continue onto the M26 for a short stretch.
At Junction 2a, take the exit for the A20 towards Wrotham, Sevenoaks, Gravesend, and Borough Green. At the Wrotham Heath Interchange, take the 1st exit onto London Road (A20).
Shortly after, turn right onto Maidstone Road (A25) and continue following the A25 for about 1.9 miles. When you reach the roundabout in Borough Green, take the 2nd exit onto Western Road (A227). Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials is located a short distance along this road, on the right-hand side.
Our address:
Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials
43 Western Road, Borough Green, Sevenoaks, TN15 8AL
[1] Snodland: A Guide to the Historic Town in Kent, https://www.handmadekent.co.uk/snodland-history/
[2] Snodland | Domesday Book, ttps://opendomesday.org/place/TQ7061/snodland/
[3] Snodland Railway Station (High St, Snodland ME6 5AN), via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/zksvQ87XmYVHBTWr7
[4] Snodland Station – National Rail, https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/snodland/
[5] 71 Maidstone to Snodland or Leybourne Park Bus Route & Timetables | Arriva Bus UK, https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/find-a-service/71-maidstone-to-snodland-or-leybourne-park
[6] Bus timetables | Medway Council, https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200161/travel/516/bus_timetables
[7] Leybourne Lakes Country Park – Explore Kent, https://explorekent.org/activities/leybourne-lakes-country-park/
[8] Leybourne Lakes Country Park (Malling Rd, Snodland ME20 6JA), via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/xt859bX9U7Zx5WP2A
[9] Leybourne Lakes Watersports Centre (Leybourne Country Park, Larkfield, Aylesford ME20 6JA), via Google Maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/UfAT5qAPKBYWfTQw7
[10] Medway Valley walk – Explore Kent, https://explorekent.org/activities/medway-valley-walk/
[11] Snodland Heritage Trail | Kent Downs, https://kentdowns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Snodland-community-trail-leaflet.pdf
[12] Snodland Walk – Explore Kent, https://explorekent.org/activities/snodland-walk/
[13] Public Rights of Way (PROW) – Medway Council, https://www.medway.gov.uk/PublicRightsOfWay
[14] Snodland Community Centre – Snodland – Upcoming Events & Tickets – Skiddle, https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Medway-Rochester/Snodland-Community-Centre/
[15] Snodland Community Association (Paddlesworth Rd, Snodland ME6 5DP), via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/fNJmLhUG1nwnyukC6
[16] All Saints Church (48 Mill St, Snodland ME6 5AT), via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/QewNYRgi9wAVjAMt9
[17] Snodland Town Council, Snodland, accessed on April 11, 2025, https://www.snodlandcouncil.co.uk/
[18] Snodland Town Football Club (G.I Landscapes Stadium, Paddlesworth Rd, Snodland ME6 5DP), via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/DAcDffFggotXa9Lf8
[19] Snodland Community Cricket Club, https://snodlandcommunity.play-cricket.com/home
[20] Holborough Lakes, ME6 Reviews – HomeViews, https://www.homeviews.com/development/holborough-lakes-me6
[21] Holborough Lakes , via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dx9oFgEgvmMBPujQA
[22] Freemasons Arms (267 Malling Rd, Snodland ME6 5JR), via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/vRG7oBrXghVpzDKs5
[23] The Monks Head (22 Constitution Hill, Snodland ME6 5DH), via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/sxYJFXmxXUo3wJHC9
[24] Pubs & Clubs around Snodland – CAMRA – The Campaign for Real Ale, https://camra.org.uk/pubs/place/snodland-15694
[25] Snodland WMC (54-56 Holborough Rd, Snodland ME6 5PB), via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mk5a3Fg3FMsZDc3M6
[26] Snodland Working Men’s Club – Useyourlocal, https://www.useyourlocal.com/pubs/snodland-wmc-20107/
[27] Ham Hill WMC (Ham Hill Working Mens Club, 259-261 Malling Rd, Snodland ME6 5JR), via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/2zoztrZFwQUjVKH8A
[28] Snodland CofE Primary School | Ofsted Ratings, Reviews, Exam Results & Admission 2026, https://snobe.co.uk/schools/snodland-cofe-primary-school
[29] St Katherine’s School & Nursery – OFSTED, https://www.stkatherineskent.co.uk/page/?title=OFSTED&pid=15
[30] Inspection of a good school: Valley Invicta Primary School at Holborough Lakes – Ofsted reports, https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50241140
[31] The Holmesdale School – Home, https://www.holmesdale.kent.sch.uk/
[32] Snodland CofE Primary School | Ofsted Ratings, Reviews, Exam Results & Admission 2026, https://snobe.co.uk/schools/snodland-cofe-primary-school
[33] Snodland Cemetery (Cemetery Lodge, Cemetery Rd, Snodland ME6 5DN), via Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/fCnBeYZby3VA6rgT7
