Benenden

The place name of Benenden (pronounced Ben-en-den) derives from Old English meaning Bynna's wooded pasture. Bynning denn became Benindene (1086) Binnigdaenne, Bennedene (c1100) Bynindenne (1253) then the current spelling from 1610.[4][5]

A more detailed history can be found in the pdf file as part of a Conservation Appraisal[6] carried out by Tunbridge Wells District in April 2005

The Wealden iron industry existed in the area from before the Roman period, but evidence of two Roman roads built to take the iron from the Weald have been discovered, as well as other finds from the period such as a Roman settlement at Hemsted, now Benenden School.Ref:Archaeologia Cantiana 101 2008, 301-303,N.Aldridge and E.Pollard. The evidence of one road, that between Maidstone and Bodiam at Iden Green, is in the form of a paved ford.Ref: Archaeologia Cantiana 101 1984,69-81, C.Lebon.

The Domesday Book surveyors remarked that Benindene was one of only four places in the Weald to have a church; although like most of the other such, the buildings of the settlement were scattered.[7] From the 14th century places such as Benenden became of industrial importance. The Wealden ironmasters continued what the Romans had done; and the other major industry, cloth-making, also helped to make the village prosperous. By the late 18th century, however, both industries had moved to the industrial north, and Benenden's prosperity was at an end. Benenden had four mills at various times. Wandle Mill, a watermill on the River Rother; East End Mill, a post mill at the site later occupied by the chest hospital, demolished c.1870; and a pair of mills to the east of the village, one of which, Beacon Mill is still standing.[8]

In 1860 Gathorne Hardy, later to become the 1st Earl of Cranbrook (1814–1906), a prominent politician, rebuilt the house in Hemsted Park, one of the Tudor buildings; in 1912 Lord Rothermere made further alterations. It now houses Benenden School

In 1907 a consortium of trade unions and friendly societies established a chest hospital in Goddard's Green Road, Benenden[9] for the treatment of tuberculosis. Today the hospital is an independent organisation, for most medical and surgical specialities and mainly treats members of The Benenden Healthcare Society as well as some NHS and private patients.

Collingwood Ingram and James Collingwood Tinling are buried in the graveyard.

Creag may well have been played in Benenden from medieval times, however cricket has been played on the traditional village Green since the 18th century, although the first known mention of an organised club was not until 1798. The club still plays cricket on the Green in front of the St. George's parish church and between the Bull Inn and King William IV public houses. The village sign on the Green commemorates the English professional cricketer John Wenman.

In December 2018 the village hit the national news in the UK after a family of wild swans was shot and killed by an unknown attacker. Newspaper reports stated that two adults and five cygnets were shot dead in the village, then wrapped in plastic bags and dumped on a river bank.[10]

A well known private school, Benenden School is located to the north of the main village. The school's alumnae include Princess Anne, Lettice Curtis, Sue Ryder and Rachel Weisz.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Benenden.

• Benenden Tennis Tournament
• Benenden Cricket Club