Doddington, Kent

Doddington is a village and civil parish in the district of Swale in Kent, England. The Syndale Valley shelters the central part in the Kent Downs Area of outstanding natural beauty. Today the village is notable for Doddington Place Gardens, for its remarkably well kept buildings and its house prices show higher prices than the home counties average.HistoryWithin the parish at Sharsted Court, earthworks excavated were believed remains of an Iron Age Belgic Fort (100-43BC). However the current village settlement dates from 11th century.Of particular note is Doddington Church with the unusual dedication of "The (decollation) Beheading of St. John the Baptist". The dedication dates from at least 1467 when it is referenced in a will.Other notable buildings within the parish are: Doddington Place built in 1870 for the Croft family (of 'Croft original sherry' fame) who owned it until 1906 when the Jeffreys and Oldfied families jointly purchased it. It is still owned by the Oldfield family and the Doddington Place Gardens are open to the public and have achieved listed status; in its grounds are the Place, a much-altered house, Park House and Park Cottage, also listed with fascinating history, as Grade II.Attractions and amenitiesWithin the parish just to the north east is Sharsted Court, a Medieval Wealden hall house distinctive of this area, the Weald, however a building on the site dates from at least 1080; today a large romantic rambling manor house due to the many additions and alterations over the centuries. It is owned by former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade.