Travel Sutton Valence Map

Travel to Sutton Valence Map

Sutton Valence tourist guide map of landmarks & destinations by Walkfo

Sutton Valence history

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Iron Age and Roman artefacts have been found in the area. The Roman road from Maidstone to Ashford and Lympne passed through the village.

Saxon era – Before the Battle of Hastings

The earliest mention of a settlement at Sutton Valence was in 814, when Coenwulf mentioned Suinothe in a charter. Before the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the manor was owned by Leofwine Godwinson, brother of Harold.

After 1066

In 1086 the village is recorded in the Domesday Book under the name of Sudtone (South Town, or Sutton) granted to Adam FitzHubert who held it from Odo Bishop of Bayeux, the half-brother of William the Conqueror. The manor was then granted to the Count of Aumale, Baldwin of Bethune, who built a castle, the remains of its keep or tower can be seen on the east side of the village. The village of Sutton then became known as Sutton Valence after the town in France where William de Valence was born.

15th–16th centuries

In 1401, the manor was one of those sold to provide a ransom for the release of Baron Grey of Ruthin. Owain Glyndŵr the Welsh leader who rebelled against King Henry IV is mentioned in the Shakespeare play of that name. In 1578, William Lambe built a free grammar school in the village, allowing the Master £20 per year with “a good house and garden to reside in”, and a person called “the Usher” was allowed £10 per year.

18th and 19th centuries

The Filmer family lent money for the construction of the turnpike road from Maidstone to Tenterden. Many of the older buildings in the village are constructed from “ragstone” which was quarried locally at Boughton Monchelsea between the village and Maidstone.

Local Windmills

Sutton Valence Town Mill was a Smock mill built about 1720. In 1796 it was rebuilt and raised a storey following gale damage in which the cap and sails were blown off. In 1918 it was again damaged in a gale, and was worked into the 1930s by an engine rather than its sails. In 1945 it was demolished, leaving the base standing.

St Mary’s Church

In 1825 an earlier church was rebuilt, the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers contributed the sum of £20 towards the rebuilding. 1827 – the Clothworker Company gave £20 to a gallery at the west end, in the front of which the pupils of the grammar school had seats. 1866 – the company contributed £10 towards a memorial window at the east end in memory of Rev. F. Walter. 1872 – the firm gave £21 towards an organ on the north side of the chancel. 1874 – the group gave what was called at the time a “munificent sum” towards further alterations.

World War I and after

In 1916 the Filmer family connection with Sutton Valence ended when Robert Filmer was killed in France. Following his death, property in the town was sold at auction. East Sutton Park was kept until 1939.

World War 2

The residents of Watts’ Almshouses, Rochester were evacuated to a Georgian house in the village called Eylesden. During the Second World War, residents of the village were evacuated from Watts’ almshouses. The residents lived in the Georgian house, which is now called the Pilot Officer Shaw Memorial.

  

Sutton Valence map & travel guide with history & landmarks to explore

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Tourist Guide to Sutton Valence Map

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Walkfo Sutton Valence travel map key: visit National Trust sites, Blue Plaques, English Heritage locations & top travel destinations in Sutton Valence