Southwest of Maidstone nestled along the banks of the River Medway sits the village and civil parish of Yalding, in Kent. Situated at the confluence of the Rivers Teise, Beult, and Medway - this historic parish’s roots are deeply connected to the development of the river. Owing to its proximity to Maidstone, and therefore to major transport links, combined with the idyllic pastoral landscapes of East Kent - Yalding has long remained sought-after community for re-locaters and commuters. Therefore, the village benefits from a large variety of housing; dotted with grand country manors (some in excess of over £5 million!), large bungalows, and semi-detached suburban homes!

Yalding’s history is long and storied; however it was first properly recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book survey conducted for William the Conquerer. Although initially, the name was recorded as ‘Hallinges’. By the time of the English Civil War in 1642, Yalding was being referred to as ‘Yaldinge’ - changing quite drastically over those 600 years. Yalding - and nearby Maidstone - were crucial locations during the English Civil War, and in 1643 Yalding was the site of great conflict between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists. This would be one of the only major battles to occur in Kent, next only to the 1648 uprising at Maidstone!

Edith Nesbit, the author of the 1905 book ‘The Railway Children’, frequently holidayed in Kent - specifically Yalding. She was known to love the area deeply, writing in the 1920s ‘the Medway just above the Anchor (at Yalding, Kent) is a river of dreams’!

Yalding used to be home to the agrichemical company Syngenta Works - a company specialising in herbicides and insecticides until the company moved bases. In 2021, the Maidstone council approved for the area to be converted into a huge business park! However, the area is hugely flood prone, to which the council is still drawing up the plans concerning flood mitigation. In Maidstone’s local plan, they have focused heavily on this new business park as a source of huge income for the area; but also discusses the construction of 65 new homes in the Yalding locale!