West Peckham is a small village surrounded by open fields and orchards in the Weald of Kent. Life here moves at a slower pace, with a strong sense of community and a rich history stretching back over a thousand years.
Set away from major roads, the village feels peaceful and secluded. At its centre is the green, overlooked by the parish church and the local pub. This simple layout brings people together and keeps village life at its heart.
West Peckham has even featured in ITV’s “The Larkins,” chosen for its classic Kentish character.
The church, pub, and green sit close together, making it easy for residents to meet and stay connected. West Peckham isn’t just a collection of homes, it’s a working community, proud of its roots and its way of life.
West Peckham’s history stretches back before the Norman Conquest. Its name comes from Old English, meaning “village at a peak.” The “West” separates it from nearby East Peckham.
The village is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as “Pecheham,” with around 29 households. It was then divided between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Richard de Tonbridge. Before 1066, the manor belonged to Earl Leofwine, brother of King Harold, who died at the Battle of Hastings [1].
West Peckham played a role in medieval history through the Knights Hospitallers. Around 1408, a preceptory was founded here, thanks to Sir John Culpeper, who donated land to the order. The Knights had already been granted land nearby by Elizabeth de Burgh in 1337.
Today, the building linked to the preceptory is known as Dukes Place. It is a Grade I listed timber-framed house from the 15th century, partly rebuilt around 1500 after a fire. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, it became cottages for labourers in the 18th century before being restored in the 20th century.
The Culpeper family’s story continues at Oxon Hoath, a manor with Saxon roots. Originally known as “Toxnode,” it was once royal pasture. The Culpepers built a grand house there, later passing the estate to the Bartholomew and Geary families [2].
St Dunstan’s Church stands by the village green and dates back to the late 10th century. The Normans rebuilt the nave in the 11th century, and the chancel was added later. The church remains in active use today.
Sir John Culpeper also founded a chantry chapel inside St Dunstan’s in 1408–9. It paid for a priest to say daily masses for the King and the Culpeper family. Sir John and his wife were buried there. After chantries were dissolved in 1548, the space became a private pew and burial vault for the Oxon Hoath estate owners, used until 1871 [3].
Other notable figures connected to West Peckham include Joyce Culpeper, born at Oxon Hoath around 1480, and Richard Watts, a 16th-century merchant and MP. The Saxon church, the preceptory, and the manor tell the story of West Peckham’s long history of change and survival [4].
Although West Peckham feels tucked away, it is easily reached by car. The village lies around five miles from the M20 and M26 motorways.
Reaching West Peckham by public transport requires planning the final stage of your journey.
The relative ease of reaching the vicinity of West Peckham via major roads and rail contrasts with the limited direct public transport into the village itself. This slight remoteness is key to its peaceful atmosphere but means visitors relying on trains or buses must factor in the final leg of their journey via taxi or a pleasant walk.
The heart of the village is the green [9], home to the cricket pitch where local matches are played through summer. The green also hosts West Peckham’s annual fete, a highlight that draws visitors from nearby villages.
St Dunstan’s Church [10] is well worth a visit. The building’s ancient architecture, historic pews, and tranquil setting make it a focal point for both residents and visitors.
West Peckham is a favourite spot for walkers. It sits on the routes of the Greensand Way [11] and the Wealdway, two long-distance footpaths through Kent. The East and West Peckham Pilgrimage Trail [12] links the churches of both villages and explores historic lanes, woods, and orchards.
The village hall [13] hosts a range of community events, from yoga and pilates classes to craft groups and WI meetings. West Peckham’s strong sense of community life continues to thrive, offering a welcoming environment for all ages.
The Swan on the Green pub [14] sits at the edge of the cricket ground. Dating back to at least the 16th century, it serves good food and locally brewed ales. It’s very much the social hub of the village and has even featured in ITV’s “The Larkins,” under the name “The Hare and Hound.”
Nearby, other country pubs like The Kentish Rifleman and The Bush, Blackbird and Thrush offer alternative options for food and drink.
Although West Peckham does not have its own school, the surrounding villages and towns offer a wide choice:
Primary Schools:
Secondary Schools:
There are also excellent independent schools in Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, including Tonbridge School and Sevenoaks School.
| School Name | Type | Ages | Location | Latest Ofsted Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mereworth Community Primary | Primary (State) | 5–11 | Mereworth | Good |
| Wateringbury C of E Primary | Primary (State) | 4–11 | Wateringbury | Good |
| Ightham Primary | Primary (Academy) | 4–11 | Ightham | Outstanding |
| The Judd School | Secondary (Grammar) | 11–18 | Tonbridge | Outstanding |
| Tonbridge Grammar School | Secondary (Grammar) | 11–18 | Tonbridge | Outstanding |
| Wrotham School | Secondary (Academy) | 11–18 | Wrotham | Good |
| Tonbridge School | Independent | 13–18 | Tonbridge | N/A (Independent) |
Life brings moments of great joy and celebration, but it also inevitably includes times of sadness and farewell. During these difficult periods, having caring, professional, and local support can make all the difference, providing comfort and guidance when it’s needed most. Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials is a family-run business deeply rooted in the Kent community, dedicated to offering compassionate and personal service to families facing loss.
Conveniently situated for residents of West Peckham and the surrounding villages, the Welham Jones funeral home in Borough Green provides a calm and welcoming environment.
Welham Jones Funeral Home Borough Green
We are proud to serve families across West Peckham and the surrounding areas, offering guidance, support, and care whenever it is needed.
Our Borough Green funeral parlour is just a short and straightforward drive from West Peckham, typically taking only 10 to 15 minutes. While West Peckham is one of the many lovely villages surrounding Borough Green , the connection Welham Jones feels is rooted in being part of the same close-knit Kentish landscape. There is a deep understanding of the values of community and neighbourly support that are so evident in villages like West Peckham. The geographical closeness makes the Borough Green branch a practical and accessible option, ensuring support is nearby when needed.
Welham Jones in Borough Green offers a comprehensive range of services, delivered with sensitivity and tailored to meet individual needs, wishes, and budgets.
For those living in the nearby village of West Kingsdown, our Welham Jones branch in Borough Green represents a particularly close, convenient, and compassionate choice when funeral services are required. Located just under 6 miles away, the journey is typically only 8 to 10 minutes by car , making it easily accessible during a difficult time. The team at Borough Green is committed to providing understanding, professional guidance, and neighbourly support, right on the doorstep for West Kingsdown families.
From its ancient church echoing with centuries of history and tales of Knights Hospitallers, to its welcoming pub overlooking a classic village green, West Peckham offers a truly special slice of Kentish life. Its surrounding landscape of orchards and woodlands invites exploration, while its strong community spirit provides a warm welcome.
Visitors are encouraged to wander its lanes, walk the scenic footpaths, enjoy refreshments at The Swan, and soak up the peaceful atmosphere that makes this village unique.
And should you, or someone you know, ever need support during your time in the area, remember that your caring neighbours at Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials in Borough Green are close by, ready to help with compassion and understanding.
To reach Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials in Borough Green from West Peckham, start by heading north-east towards Gover Hill. After a short distance, turn left onto Gover Hill and continue for around 0.4 miles.
Follow the road as it becomes The Hurst and stay on it for about 1.6 miles. Next, merge onto Long Mill Lane and continue for another 0.5 miles.
Turn left onto Crouch Lane and follow it for approximately 1 mile. When you reach Maidstone Road (A25), turn left and continue along the A25 for about 0.4 miles.
At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Western Road (A227). Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials will be on your right shortly after.
Address:
Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials
43 Western Road, Borough Green, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 8AL
[1] “Parishes: West Peckham” via the British History Online website https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol5/pp56-70
[2] “The Families and House of Oxenhoath, West Peckham” via Kent Archaeoloygy website, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65df7835178a9d2b20f8d501/t/675895c44498256324beaf15/1733858757950/archaeologia-cantiana_111-11_the_families_and_house_of_oxenhoath%2C_west_peckham.pdf
[3] “History of West Peckham” via the Kent Past website, http://www.kentpast.co.uk/west%20peckham.html
[4] “West Peckham, Kent, England” via the Culpepper Connections website, https://www.culpepperconnections.com/archives/uk/places/westpeckham.htm
[5] “Trains from Borough Green & Wrotham to Peckham Rye” via the Trainline website, https://www.thetrainline.com/train-times/borough-green-and-wrotham-to-peckham-rye
[6] “Trains to Borough Green & Wrotham station” via South Western Railway website, https://www.southwesternrailway.com/travelling-with-us/at-the-station/borough-green-and-wrotham
[7] “How to get from West Peckham to Tonbridge by bus, taxi or car” via the Rome2Rio website, https://www.rome2rio.com/s/West-Peckham/Tonbridge
[8] “How to get from Maidstone to West Peckham by bus, taxi or car” via the Rome2Rio website, https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Maidstone/West-Peckham
[9] West Peckham Village Green (West Peckham, Maidstone ME18 5JW), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vvp63oCnaz1EWbPNA
[10] St Dunstan’s Church, 4 Church Rd, West Peckham, Maidstone ME18 5JL, Gogole Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Qy6kGBwRanVAuoB6
[11] “Walking the Greensand Way” via the Trailman website, https://www.trailman.co.uk/england/south/greensand-way/walking-the-greensand-way/
[12] “East & West Peckham Pilgrimage Trail – 6 miles, 1 day” via the British Pilgrimage Trust website, https://www.britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/east-west-peckham-pilgrimage-trail
[13] West Peckham Village Hall, Church Rd, West Peckham, Maidstone ME18 5JJ, Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/1hB77P5SkbL3dcwi8
[14] The Swan on the Green, The Green, West Peckham, Maidstone ME18 5JW, Google Maps, Thttps://maps.app.goo.gl/A1xa2r9Grm4YxJdq6
