Leybourne

Leybourne is a village and civil parish in Kent, England situated off Junction 4 of the M20 Motorway. Leybourne is adjacent to New Hythe, Larkfield and West Malling. As of 2020, Leybourne Parish had a population of 4,372. Historically, the area was extensively quarried, leaving a number of flooded gravel pits. These have recently been developed into Leybourne Lakes Country Park, and a housing development. Several of the houses on the development feature in the Channel 4 TV Series Cape Wrath. Nearby New Hythe was also home (until 2004) of Meridian's newsroom and studio for the South East. Leybourne's name is the origin of that of the French city Libourne.

Leybourne is a village and civil parish in Kent, England situated off Junction 4 of the M20 Motorway. Leybourne is adjacent to New Hythe, Larkfield and West Malling. As of 2020, Leybourne Parish had a population of 4,372. Historically, the area was extensively quarried, leaving a number of flooded gravel pits. These have recently been developed into Leybourne Lakes Country Park, and a housing development. Several of the houses on the development feature in the Channel 4 TV Series Cape Wrath. Nearby New Hythe was also home (until 2004) of Meridian's newsroom and studio for the South East. Leybourne's name is the origin of that of the French city Libourne.

Amenities

Leybourne has a primary school, pre Norman-conquest church, 13th-century castle, hairdressers, shop, newsagent and general store, village hall, pub/restaurant (The Old Rectory) and Premier Inn Hotel. Leybourne and the neighbouring town of West Malling elect three councillors to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. It has its own Parish Council. There are junior football teams aging from Under 6's to Under 18's and a cricket club for adults and children on the school premises: Leybourne St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary school (Voluntary aided). Nearby Leybourne Lakes Country Park offer fishing, scenic walking and cycle paths plus water sports such as windsurfing and scuba diving. In the 2000s the new settlement of Leybourne Chase was developed in the west of the parish, on the former Leybourne Grange mental hospital site.

Bypass

The Leybourne bypass, a part of the A228, was opened in October 2006. It was intended to reduce traffic coming off the M20 motorway and through Leybourne along Castle Way, and to handle additional traffic from nearby Kings Hill.

Leybourne Woods

Leybourne Woods is an area of wood and heathland set between the communities of Leybourne and West Malling.

See also

Listed buildings in Leybourne

References

External links

A228 Bypass Info Parish Council

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1337082265 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.