Welcome to Bearsted
Brief History of Bearsted
Today Bearsted is a busy, thriving community with a population of 8353.
Bearsted developed from several separate hamlets united by the parish church of Holy Cross.
Until the Twentieth century, the main road was Ware Street. The major industries were agriculture, tile and brick making. A railway station was built and opened in 1884.
A village school opened in 1839 and moved to its current location at The Landway in 1972. Thurnham Infant School moved to the same site in 1989.
Large scale housing in the village began to be developed after the two world wars.
Bearsted is very fortunate to have a rich community life. There is an annual Fayre and cricket has been played on the Green since 1749.
Kathryn Kersey, 2024
Chairman Bearsted & District Local History Society
For a detailed history given by Kathryn Kearsey in 2020 click here.
Listing Building and Conservation
Bearsted has several conservation buildings covering The Green and Holy Cross Church.
Within the Parish there are 58 Grade II Listed buildings and the Church of the Holy Cross, which is a Grade I Listed building.
Information with regards to these buildings can be found
https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/bearsted-maidstone-kent
Books
Community Historian Katherine Kersey has published many books about the history of Bearsted.
All books have been published on a ‘not for profit basis and are available through Kent Libraries.
For specific book enquiries email kerseyscribe@gmail.com