Boughton Aluph and Eastwell are two separate parishes. For Civil administration purposes they are treated as one parish and will be referred to as such on this web site

Population: 1,900

Facilities: Pub, mobile library on Wednesday afternoon, 3 community halls, shop, Chinese Takeaway, public tennis courts, plus various local clubs and organisations

Place of Worship: St. Christopher’s Church in Boughton Lees, All Saints’ Church in Boughton Aluph and Baptist Chapel in Wye Road, Boughton Lees.

Distance from Ashford: 3.5 miles.

History: Eastwell takes its name from a spring known to the Saxon herdsmen of the Downs and forest areas. The first thing visitors to Eastwell will notice is Eastwell Towers, an impressive gateway, now a private entrance to the Eastwell Park Estate. Built in 1848, the gateway is of an unusual construction, being built of particularly large French flints. The arms of the Winchelsea family, the original owners of the estate, can be clearly seen above the gate.

The ruined church set in Eastwell Park was built in the 14th century and tombs from the ruin are preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum. A parking area allows visitors to leave their cars and follow a public footpath through the historic 3,000 acre estate which includes Eastwell Lake, the second largest man-made lake in Kent. Boughton Aluph is the larger village of the Parish and is on the route of the North Downs Way, the route used by the Pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. All Saints’ Church is the venue for the Stour Music Festival.

The village green known as The Lees has been the site for cricket for more than 250 years and for even longer, a fete has been held every year on the second Saturday of June. The majority of the parish is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty.