Hamstreet

Parts of the parish church of St Mary the Virgin, Orlestone date back to the 11th century. Until the coming of the railway in 1853, Hamstreet was just a hamlet known as 'Ham' based around the village centre which contains many buildings in the traditional Kentish weatherboard style. The village expanded rapidly during the 20th century and had its moment of fame in 1991, when maps of Hamstreet at various stages in history were used on a series of postage stamps to mark 200 years of the Ordnance Survey – this chance arose because the Hamstreet area was the first to be mapped in this way. An episode of BBC TV's Countryfile was also devoted to the occasion. The village also featured in a mountaineering spoof in Blue Peter to raise money for charity.

Although from the 1970s onwards there has been a loss of some traditional village outlets, there are still a number of shops and places to eat and drink in the village, as well as a school, doctor's surgery, dental clinic and sports facilities. The village is twinned with the village of Thérouanne in northern France.

Two large areas of public woodland surround the village, namely Ham Street Woods and Orlestone Forest, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Both are remnants of the ancient forest that once covered the whole of the Weald of Kent. The Royal Military Canal, the UK's third longest defensive structure, passes by ½ mile to the south. Three long distance footpaths also run through the parish:

• The Saxon Shore Way
• Greensand Way (which begins at the main crossroads and runs for 110 miles (177 km) to Haslemere, Surrey)
• The Royal Military Canal Path

The area is also popular with cyclists, as Romney Marsh to the south is completely flat.

• Orlestone Parish Website, which covers Hamstreet.
• Warehorne Parish Website, which covers Warehorne.
• Hamstreet, Kent - Smugglers, stamps and the Saxon Shore is a private site which provides further historical info and related links

Media related to Hamstreet at Wikimedia Commons