Foundation Property Services

NEIGHBOURING TOWNS:
Whitstable, Canterbury and Sittingbourne.

POSITION:
Faversham is one of England’s most charming and historic market towns. Nestling between the rural beauty of the rolling Downs and the sweeping flatlands of the North Kent Marshes.  It is approximately 48 miles east of London, approximately 18 miles east north east of Maidstone and approximately 9 miles west of Canterbury.

HISTORY:
When the first settlers arrived we do not know, but by late prehistoric times Belgic farmers – immigrants from nearby Europe - were prospering in the area. For nearly 400 years from 43 AD the area, like the rest of England, formed part of the Roman Empire. This brought improved technology and infrastructure, not to mention a high level of civilisation and culture.  It was recorded in the Domesday Book as Favreshant. The town has regularly throughout its history obtained curious privileges and charters.

INTERESTING FACTS:
Faversham is at the centre of the county’s brewing industry, being home to the oldest brewery, Shepherd Neame. There is an annual two day hop festival set in the medieval town square and surrounding streets. Entertainment includes live music, world renowned street theatre, colourful processions and an array of Kent’s local produce for sale throughout the town. It is a celebration of the hop harvest and the heyday of the hop picking when thousands of Londoners came down to the Kent hop gardens every September for a country holiday with pay. Faversham was also the cradle of the UK’s explosive industry. The first gunpowder plant was established in the 16th century. At 2.20pm on Sunday 2nd April, 1916 a huge explosion ripped through the gunpowder mill at Uplees near Faversham, when 200 tons of TNT ignited. The blast killed 105 people. Although not the first such disaster of this kind to have happened at Faversham’s historic munitions works, this blast is recorded as ‘the worst ever in the history of the UK explosives industry’.

ROAD AND RAIL LINKS:
Trains travel from Faversham railway station to London, terminating at either Victoria or St. Pancras International.  In the other direction trains travel either to Dover Priory (via Canterbury East) or to Ramsgate (via Margate). Since December, 2009 Southeastern Highspeed links Faversham to High Speed 1, Ebbsfleet International and London’s Stratford International and London St. Pancras stations.  There is a regular bus service through to Canterbury and Whitstable.

SHOPS:
Many independent and specialist shops as well as main high street names and supermarket chains.

SERVICES:
Police, fire and ambulance stations, post office, library, opticians, garages, petrol stations, hairdressers, chiropodists, a market several says a week and much, much more.

SCHOOLS:
Faversham has a selection of play groups, nursery schools and primary  schools both private and public, two secondary schools – The Abbey School and Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School (please set up link to Ofsted).

DOCTORS AND DENTISTS:
A variety of NHS and private.  Also a cottage hospital.

CLUBS:
Faversham Golf, Syndale Park Personal Fitness Club, Football Club, Martial Arts Club, Gymnastics, Music, Rotary and Camera club to name but a few.

LEISURE FACILITIES:
The Fleur-de-Lis centre, which provides tourist information and houses a museum, cinema, The Arden Theatre, art galleries, a country park, Abbey Sports Centre, Lorenden Park, Farming World.

PUBS/RESTAURANTS:
A wide variety of pubs and restaurants to accommodate all tastes.

SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE:
Numerous picturesque villages and sea shores with lovely walks and views are just a short drive from the town.

updated 20th December 2010