Borough Green is a village located on the A25 between Sevenoaks and Maidstone and is a civil parish in the Borough of Tonbridge and Malling in Kent.
Not many people would realise that this small village is home to the British Racing and Sports Car Club – the BRSCC. But then again, Brands Hatch race circuit is only 6 miles away. It plays an important role in British motor racing, by organising both club race meetings and FIA sanctioned international events.
Where Borough Green Comes From
Borough Green didn’t get its name yesterday. It first showed up as “Borrowe Grene” back in 1575. But the roots go even further.
Some think the name comes from old English words, either burh (meaning manor or borough) or beorg (a hill or mound). It was likely a patch of land where people gathered. Open, green, and useful.
It sat right on the ancient road between Gravesend and Hastings. A natural stopping point. So inns opened. Travellers came and went.
Some pubs stuck around. The Bull has been here since 1753. Others didn’t last. The Red Lion was mentioned in 1586, but it’s now a private home.
Then came the railway.
In 1874, the train line reached Borough Green. Growth followed. Fast. The village became the biggest part of the old Wrotham parish. And by 1934, it became its own civil parish.
Borough Green Churches
A Village That Builds Things Itself
In 1954, Borough Green was named the “DIY Village.” Not because of home improvement shows. Because locals actually built stuff.
Still do.
Volunteers:
built the skatepark
helped create new sports pitches
put up the Christmas lights every year
That kind of effort isn’t forced. It’s just how the place works. People step up. Not for praise, but because it matters.
And even though it’s often called a “small rural village,” Borough Green’s one of the most densely populated non-urban spots in Kent.
It’s also a hub. A central place that nearby villages rely on, places like:
Platt
Wrotham
Ightham
Plaxtol
Shipbourne
Stansted
These communities meet, plan, and share resources. There’s a Parish Alliance that helps deal with things like local planning issues.
One example: Borough Green’s GP surgery doesn’t just serve the village. People come in from all around. That’s why having proper services here isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.
Getting Around Borough Green: What Travel Looks Like
Borough Green is well-placed. Easy to reach by road. Decent rail links. A few bus routes too. All of it helps people get where they need to go, whether that’s to work, school, appointments, or something more serious.
By Car
The village sits on the A25, which connects Maidstone to Sevenoaks. Handy for day-to-day driving.
The M26 runs nearby too. It splits Wrotham and Borough Green, good for heading further out, but it does cut the area a bit.
By Train
The train station, Borough Green & Wrotham, has been here since 1874. It played a big part in the village growing.
Now? It’s still important. Regular trains run to London Victoria and Charing Cross. A lot of locals rely on it, especially commuters.
By Bus
There are a few bus routes:
Route 58 (Fridays only, goes to Maidstone)
Routes 70, 221, 222, 308, 408 (link to Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Gravesend, and Wrotham Heath)
They’re useful. But not perfect. The Parish Council has said links to the bigger towns can be a bit patchy. That makes reliable local services even more important, especially when families are dealing with loss.
Borough Green Churches
Getting to Welham Jones, Borough Green
Welham Jones is on Western Road. Easy to get to by car, train, or on foot.
It means local families don’t need to travel far. No confusing detours. No long drives to unfamiliar places. Just a nearby team that’s ready to help when you need them most.
Living in Borough Green: Shops, Services, and Everyday Life
Borough Green has what most people need. Shops. Cafés. Doctors. Places to meet friends. Places to run errands. You don’t have to leave the village for basics, which makes life simpler.
Everyday Shopping
For groceries and essentials, there’s:
Co-op
Sainsbury’s Local
Nisa (with a Post Office inside)
That covers the basics.
Beyond that, there are a few independent shops and old-style teashops. Not fancy, but familiar. And it’s enough to keep things ticking over without heading into a bigger town.
Food, Coffee, and Pubs
Costa moved into the old NatWest building on the High Street. You’ll find people grabbing coffee there most days.
For a pint or something hot to eat, you’ve got:
The Black Horse (popular for sport and live music)
The Plough
The Bull
There’s also Basil Café and the Honeydale Farm Shop with a tearoom, both good for a quieter catch-up or lunch.
And yes, Deliveroo works here now. So takeaway’s an option too.
Local Services That Still Exist (and Matter)
Some services have disappeared. Like both local bank branches, they shut in 2017.
But a lot still remains:
GP surgery on Quarry Hill Road
Library near the Village Hall car park
Fire station on Western Road
These things might not seem exciting, but they matter. Especially in a village where nearby towns aren’t always quick to reach.
Local Businesses Still Doing the Work
The Parish Council calls it a “vibrant shopping centre.” That just means there’s a solid mix of shops and services. You can check the full list on the Borough Green Parish Council website, they keep a Village Directory updated.
And in the middle of all that? Businesses that stuck around. Like Welham Jones. They’ve got a real branch here. Not just a website or phone number. A place you can actually walk into.
That kind of presence still means something.
Things to Do in and Around Borough Green
There’s plenty going on in and around Borough Green. Some of it’s outdoors. Some’s for kids. Some’s quiet and peaceful. Whether you’re raising a family, looking to get out for a walk, or just want to keep busy, you’ve got options.
Nature and Green Space
Borough Green’s surrounded by countryside. Just a mile south, there’s Basted Mills, a big open area with meadows, an old mill pond, woodland paths, and spots to sit and eat. It borders four different parishes and is easy to get to.
Other places worth visiting:
Ightham Mote: medieval moated manor house
Old Soar Manor: rare 13th-century knight’s home
Oldbury Hill: woodland with an Iron Age hillfort
Knole Park: massive deer park and historic house
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens: scenic with interesting plants
Lullingstone Country Park: great for walking
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve: calm, full of birds
These places aren’t just “nice.” They give people a place to go when they need a break. Somewhere to walk, think, or just be outside for a bit.
Local Attractions and Activities
It’s not all nature.
If you’ve got kids, you’ll want to know about:
Buzy Bees Playbarn
Tiny Town
Adventure Kidz
For animals, try:
Hemsley Conservation Centre
Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation
There’s sport too:
Borough Green has its own football club
There’s a community-built skatepark
New sports pavilion and pitches
And the British Racing and Sports Car Club is based here
If you’re into history or gardens, visit Lullingstone Castle, the World Garden, or Lullingstone Roman Villa.
Community and Events
This is a place where people get involved. Groups meet regularly. Events happen year-round. Check Meetup or the Parish Directory for what’s on.
The big example? Every year, locals volunteer to put up the Christmas lights. It’s a proper community effort.
There’s also a printed newsletter, The Voice, put together by the Church of the Good Shepherd. It shares news and events happening in the village.
Education in Borough Green
Families with kids won’t have to look far. Education here starts early and runs smoothly.
Borough Green Primary School
This is the main school in the village. It’s on School Approach and takes children from age 4 to 11.
Headteacher: Mrs Karen Jackson
Been around since 1911
Strong local reputation
Before that, there was an infant school, built back in 1875. Borough Green has a long history of teaching local children. Generations have gone through those doors. The school still plays a big part in daily life.
Nurseries, Pre-Schools, and Childcare
Plenty of childcare options nearby. A few are right in the village. Others are just a short drive.
Here are some of the most used:
Steps to School Day Nursery (next to the primary school)
Bright Horizons, Kings Hill
Beaming Stars Day Nursery, Ash
The Granville School, Sevenoaks (with pre-school)
7 Acorns Day Nursery, Sevenoaks
Busy Bees, with branches in Clare Park, Meopham, and Sevenoaks
SKIPS Pre-School, Ightham
Plaxtol Nursery School
Little Gems Montessori, Addington
If you want more options, Kent County Council keeps a full childcare directory online.
How Welham Jones Supports Families in Borough Green
Losing someone is hard. Making arrangements afterwards can feel even harder. That’s where Welham Jones comes in.
We’re not just any funeral director, we’re local, independent, and run by a father and daughter. We’ve helped families across West Kent and South East London for over 30 years. They understand the area, and more importantly, we understand people.
Our approach is simple: clear support, practical help, and care that feels personal. No sales talk. No pressure.
We live by one belief — our family, caring for your family.
A Family Business That Knows the Local Community
Welham Jones isn’t part of a big chain, and that matters to us.
We know the customs, the local churches, the crematoriums nearby, and how people in Borough Green and surrounding villages like things done. That local knowledge helps everything go smoother.
And because we’re independent, we’re not tied to rigid systems. We listen. We adjust. We make it about what you need.
What We Offer (and How We Can Help)
Arranging a funeral is emotional. There’s paperwork. Decisions. Costs. Timings. Our team at Welham Jones can help you through all of it, calmly and respectfully.
Here’s what we provide:
Funeral packages: from basic to traditional, with clear pricing and no hidden fees
Pre-paid plans: plan ahead to ease stress for loved ones later
Coffins and caskets: different styles, chosen with thought
Care after death: your loved one is treated with dignity and respect from the moment they’re brought into care
Repatriation: help with getting someone home or sending them abroad, including ashes if needed
Items of remembrance: things like keepsakes or urns to remember someone by
Memorials: help with headstones, grave markers, urns, and arranging the interment of ashes
Obituaries: support with writing and placing notices in papers or online
Whatever’s needed, we are here to guide you.
Why People Choose Welham Jones
There’s no call centre. No automated system. You get a real person, someone who will walk you through everything. The team helps with legal forms, timings, logistics, and any last-minute changes.
We’re also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If someone dies unexpectedly, even at night, we will respond.
That’s the kind of reliability that matters when things are tough.
Welham Jones in Borough Green: Local Help, Right Here When You Need It
When someone dies, most people don’t want to travel far. They don’t want to chase paperwork, or make difficult calls to strangers. They just want someone nearby, who gets it.
That’s why the Welham Jones funeral home in Borough Green matters.
It’s not just an address. It’s a real place, with a small, experienced team ready to help.
We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. But we know life doesn’t follow office hours. If something happens outside those times, we’ll still answer the phone. We are available every day, including weekends and holidays, 24 hours a day.
Why a Local Branch Matters
Getting to Sevenoaks or Maidstone isn’t always easy. Buses aren’t frequent. Traffic can be a problem. When you’re already upset, the last thing you need is a long, stressful journey.
That’s why having a funeral home in Borough Green helps.
Families here can:
Visit in person without needing a lift
Make arrangements close to home
Speak to someone who knows the area
The team doesn’t just work here, they know the surrounding villages too. They often support families from:
Wrotham
Ightham
Stansted
Longfield
Meopham
Shipbourne
Fawkham Green
St Mary’s Platt
That’s because Borough Green is a central point for all these communities. And Welham Jones plays a steady role in that network.
One Final Thought
Welham Jones isn’t new to this. We have helped thousands of families across Kent. Quietly, carefully, without fuss. We don’t rush you. We don’t talk in jargon. We listen, and we help you take the next step.
If you want to talk about what happens next, whether that’s planning a funeral, asking about pre-paid options, or just getting some advice, we are ready.
Visit: 43 Western Road, Borough Green, TN15 8AL Call: 01732 780600 🌐 More info here
We’re here when it matters most.
How To Find Welham Jones in Borough Green
Starting from Four Wents Close in Borough Green, walk north until you reach Maidstone Road (A25). Turn left onto Maidstone Road and walk a short distance before turning right onto High Street. Continue along High Street for about 0.1 miles, then turn left onto Western Road (A227). Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials is located on the left at 43 Western Road, Borough Green, Sevenoaks TN15 8AL.
Questions to ask to make sure you get the right funeral director for you
by Rebecca Welham
When you lose a loved one, you suddenly have only weeks to prepare their funeral – at a time when you are dealing with your own grief, and probably that of people close to you and the deceased. These key questions will help you choose a funeral director who will work with you to shape the farewell you would wish your loved one to have.