Detling
Encyclopedia
Detling is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Maidstone
in Kent
, England
. The parish is located on the slope of the North Downs
, north east of Maidstone
, and on the Pilgrims' Way
.
The village, 4 miles (6.4 km) from Maidstone, is bypassed by the A249 road
, although at one time all traffic passed through it. The Cock Horse Inn was used to stable additional horses when required to take heavily-laden coaches and wagons on the steep route up Detling Hill
.
The village church is dedicated to Martin of Tours
.
The disused airfield at the top of the hill was a Royal Navy Air Station during World War One, and an RAF station
during World War Two. It was bombed by the Luftwaffe several times, with considerable loss of life. It's original area has been divided with some of the original hardstandings being used within a light industrial units area, part of the airfield is now farm land, and a significant part used by the Kent Showground
- which hosts a number of annual events, such as the Kent County Show
and the Detling Summer Conference
, an event for evangelical
Christians. A memorial in Detling Village commemorates the service personnel from the airfield. The village is also home to a Tudor gateway that has stood since the time of Henry VIII
.
Detling Cricket Club have a ground on the Pilgrims' Way. They play on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer and hold practice sessions on Tuesday evenings. The team plays in the Kent Village League.
Maidstone (borough)
Maidstone is a local government district with borough status in Kent, England. Its administrative centre is Maidstone which is also the County town of Kent...
in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The parish is located on the slope of the North Downs
North Downs
The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England that stretch from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. The North Downs lie within two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty , the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs...
, north east of Maidstone
Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent, England, south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural...
, and on the Pilgrims' Way
Pilgrims' Way
The Pilgrims' Way is the historic route supposed to have been taken by pilgrims from Winchester in Hampshire, England, to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury in Kent...
.
The village, 4 miles (6.4 km) from Maidstone, is bypassed by the A249 road
A249 road
The A249 is a road in Kent, England, running from Maidstone to Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey. It mainly functions as a link between the M2 and M20 motorways, and for goods vehicle traffic to the port at Sheerness....
, although at one time all traffic passed through it. The Cock Horse Inn was used to stable additional horses when required to take heavily-laden coaches and wagons on the steep route up Detling Hill
Detling Hill
Detling Hill is a hill forming part of the North Downs in Kent, north-east of Maidstone, and is situated in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The typical southern escarpment of the North Downs is found here, and produces dramatic views over the Low Weald...
.
The village church is dedicated to Martin of Tours
Martin of Tours
Martin of Tours was a Bishop of Tours whose shrine became a famous stopping-point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Around his name much legendary material accrued, and he has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints...
.
The disused airfield at the top of the hill was a Royal Navy Air Station during World War One, and an RAF station
RAF Detling
RAF Detling was a station of the Royal Naval Air Service in World War I and the Royal Air Force in World War II. Situated 600 feet above sea level, it is located near Detling, a village about three miles north-east of Maidstone, in Kent....
during World War Two. It was bombed by the Luftwaffe several times, with considerable loss of life. It's original area has been divided with some of the original hardstandings being used within a light industrial units area, part of the airfield is now farm land, and a significant part used by the Kent Showground
Kent Showground
The Kent Showground, formerly known as the Kent County Showground is an area of land in Detling, Kent, England, north of the county town of Maidstone...
- which hosts a number of annual events, such as the Kent County Show
County Fair
"County Fair" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was originally released as the second track on their 1962 album Surfin' Safari. On November 26th of that year, it was released as the B-side to The Beach Boys' third single, "Ten Little...
and the Detling Summer Conference
Detling Summer Conference
Detling Summer Conference, or Detling, is an annual summer gathering of christians at the Kent Showground, near the village of Detling, Kent, UK, from which the conference takes its current name. It was formerly known as Revival Fire.- Event :...
, an event for evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Christians. A memorial in Detling Village commemorates the service personnel from the airfield. The village is also home to a Tudor gateway that has stood since the time of Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
.
Detling Cricket Club have a ground on the Pilgrims' Way. They play on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer and hold practice sessions on Tuesday evenings. The team plays in the Kent Village League.