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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.

 

 

 

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, although it doesn't yet seem to be open to the public.

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 the divided stream of the Loose (pictured at the top of this page). From the Chequers follow the path towards the centre of the village, 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.

 

 

You could follow the path down to the village of Brockingford, 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. In 2006 this area is undergoing a period of change. Hayle Mill, one of the largest mills is being redeveloped as an area of housing and is currently derelict. If you follow the stream beyond Crissbrook cottages you will reach the area of Tovil where the really big mills once worked. These areas are now given over to housing estates. No doubt back in the nineteenth century the operators of the large mills considered themselves the future; and in many respects they were. But it was the small mills that survived, adapted and found a place in the future.

 

 

Crissbrook Cottages, with a mill building in the background

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