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The Village of Loose and the Loose Valley, Kent

Although the village of Loose seems to have a history stretching back to Saxon times, its main period of development came during the nineteenth century Industrial Revolution. In the Loose Valley, near Maidstone in Kent, the forces of industrialisation, usually resulting in large towns and cities, were responsible for a series of picturesque villages. Loose is the largest of these villages, and is built in the deep sided Loose Valley, which surrounds and closes in the village on all sides. The hill out of the village is so steep that the landlord of the Chequers Inn once owned a team of horses which could be hired to pull cargo up the incline. It has been pointed out, by Eric S. Wood for example, that traditional villages usually try to present a "closed vista", where an observer is prevented from seeing right through the village to the countryside beyond. This gives a sense of shelter from what Eric S.Wood calls the "emptiness outside." (See Historical Britain) Loose, sitting in its natural bowl, illustrates this sense of a comforting closed vista very clearly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wool House

Most of the Loose Valley villages grew up around paper mills, although in Loose there is also evidence of activity in the wool trade. The Wool House built around 1850 is now owned by The National Trust.

Loose is a beautiful village, with a number of pubs offering food and drink. The Chequers is the best known, and lies at the end of a path which runs between two divisions of the Loose stream (pictured at the top of this page). From the Chequers walk towards the village centre, turn right at the cross roads, and follow a signposted public footpath. This will take you on a walk along the Loose valley past old mill ponds, mills, and the villages that grew up around them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mill Pond in Loose Valley

You could follow the path down to the village of Bockingford, and then turn back to Loose for a drink at the Chequers. It is possible to go a little further, following Hayle Mill Road, past mill cottages, and more mill ponds. Unfortunately there is no pavement, so take care. Hayle Mill, one of the largest mills has been redeveloped as an area of housing. The Hayle Mill development has, however, been designed sympathetically, and gives a good idea of how Hayle Mill once looked. If you follow the stream beyond Crissbrook Cottages you will pass a few more mill ponds before reaching the area of Tovil where the really big mills once worked. Now they have all gone, to be replaced by housing estates. Along the course of the walk there are information boards giving information about notable buildings, famous past residents of Loose Valley, and local wildlife.

This walk would take about an hour. In winter, or on wet days boots are advisable as there are areas that can be muddy underfoot.

 

 

 

 

Directions: Parking is very difficult in the village of Loose, so it is advisable not to drive in. If approaching Loose on the A229 , it may be best to find parking along here. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred over the village of Loose.