Situated on the historic Pilgrim’s Way north of Sevenoaks, on the foot of the North Downs in Kent lies the village and civil parish of Wrotham. First recorded in the 8th century, Wrotham’s roots are historied and long. Located in a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; Wrotham is known for its picturesque landscapes and idyllic pace-of-life. Combined with its proximity to Sevenoaks and therefore the accessibility to major transport links, Wrotham’s built fabric is proliferated with large stately properties joined with significant acerages, often at price points well over £1 million!

The village itself is first recorded in the 788 AD, in a charter from King Offa of Mercia offering the lands at Wrotham to Rochester. The name itself roughly translates to ‘Wrota’s Village’, possibly referring to a previous owner of the settlement. It was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as ‘Broteham’ and was owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Owing to its location; Wrotham has historically been a major site for religious pilgrims making the long journey towards the shrine at Canterbury and this is probably where the village grew from. In fact, Wrotham is home to one of the oldest inns in the whole of England. The Bull Hotel was first recorded in as early as 1280 and still is in operation today - making it over 740 years old!

Although historied in its legacy, Wrotham is also home to significant contemporary history. The Wrotham Transmitting Station, built in 1951 by the BBC, was the first in the country to transmit FM radio signals! After its rebuilding in 1981, the station still is vital in transmitting FM radio to listeners across the country.

Due to its long and storied past, proliferation of medieval buildings, and situation with a conservation area and the Metropolitan Green Belt - development in Wrotham has been largely slow, stagnant, and non-existent in the 20th century. Owing to its greenery and commutability; the housing market is dominated by high-scale prices and historic luxury builds, with few affordable units on offer. Whilst situated close to Sevenoaks, Wrotham is actually designated to Tonbridge and Malling District Council. Wrotham, in the Borough Green Parish Council, has been drafting their new local plan in accordance with TMDC’s plans for the wider area. The TMDC has recognised the need to produce affordable mixed-use housing across the wider borough, with allocations for 379 new homes to be built in the area. This is currently under consultation, and the results will be known towards the Summer of 2024.