ELHAM

 Elham is a very pretty village, laying between Folkestone and Canterbury, which can trace its' history back to the Domesday Book of 1087.  It is well worth taking a walk around the village. Afterwards you can always take a break at the Abbot's Fireside, which was built in 1614, and was formerly called the Smithies Inn.

The Duke of Wellington used the hotel as his headquarters whilst preparing his final battle with Napoleon at Waterloo, although it was then called the Smithies Arms. King Charles II and the Duke of Richmond hid from Cromwell's Roundheads in the main fireplace, during a clandestine visit to England during their exile.

Although a very small village, Elham at one time had 4 inns and  vineyard! Three of the inns were on this part of the High Street. The New Inn has gone - now existing only as a small row of houses. The Abbot's Fireside, as you can see, is still there, and, on the other side of the street, the Rose And Crown still stands.

Apparently, Baroness Orczy based her character, The Scarlet Pimpernel, on a real person who used to stop there and dine, while he waited for a fresh horse to carry him to France, where he really did rescue French Aristocrats from the guillotine!

Just off the main road, opposite the Abbot's Fireside, is St. Mary's Road, which leads to Church Square, and the church, of course.

The King's Arms was built in the middle ages, but the medieval framework is now hidden behind the tiled facade.

One of Elham's more notable residents was Audrey Hepburn, formerly Audrey Ruston,  who both lived, and went to school there. She and her mother lived in Orchard Cottage, Duck Street.