Goudhurst, Kent

Goudhurst is a village in Kent on the Weald, about 12mi south of Maidstone. It stands on a crossroads (A262 & B2079), where there is a large village pond. It is also in the Cranbrook School catchment area.The parish consists of three wards: Goudhurst, Kilndown and Curtisden Green. Hamlets include Bedgebury Cross, Iden Green, Stonecrouch and Winchet Hill.EtymologyThe word Goudhurst is derived from Goud Hurst, the "Good Hurst" due to the hills strategic position within the local landscape. A less plausible derivation is the Old English guo hyrst, meaning Battle Hill, or the wooded hill on which a battle has been fought. The name apparently commemorates a battle fought on this high ground in Saxon times. The spelling has evolved over the centuries: Gmthhyrste, Guthurst or Guhthersts, Gudhersts, Guthhurste, Goutherst, Goodherst, then the current-day spelling.HistoryThe village was one of those involved in the Wealden iron industry; it was a centre for the growing of hops and for weaving. A group of weavers' cottages stands opposite the church.The Battle of Goudhurst in 1747 led to the end of the Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers.