Brabourne Parish Council
Welcome to Brabourne's website.
The parish of Brabourne lies at the foot of the North Downs about 6 miles from Ashford and 13 miles from the coast. It is a thriving, busy community, with a large number of clubs and societies.
The name of Brabourne is derived from 'Bradde Burn' (broad stream), although the hamlet was mentioned in a Charter of 846AD as Bredeburna.
Brabourne is mentioned in the Domesday book, and the Church (built in 1140) stands on the site of an earlier Saxon Church. The Church has an original Norman window thought to be the only one of its kind in England. It also has a rare oak ladder in the tower.
The parish can be divided into three: East Brabourne, West Brabourne and Brabourne Lees, the original hamlet having been centred on the Church in what is now known as East Brabourne. West Brabourne is a rural area of scattered farms and cottages, and the built-up area is Brabourne Lees which adjoins Smeeth parish.
During the Napoleonic Wars part of the Lees was owned and occupied by the military: a barracks, military hospital, three prisons and a mortuary were built. After the defeat of Napoleon the barracks were demolished but the land between Lees Road and Canterbury Road is still known by some as 'Hospital Fields'.
Please browse the website, in which you will find information about forthcoming events in the parish, local news and Agendas and Minutes for the Parish Council.
You can find information on local groups by clicking on Site Pages in the menu on the left.
Please use the website to contact the Parish Council, the Tree Warden, look at planning applications, ask a question or contribute to the Message Board.
If there is anything you would like to be included, please contact the Clerk.
Smeeth Parish Council now has its own website - click here to go to the Home Page.