{{Short description|Village and civil parish in Kent, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Use British English|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox UK place | country = England | region = South East England | static_image_name = Cottages , Hunton - geograph.org.uk - 346346.jpg | static_image_caption = Cottages on West Street | population = 702 | population_ref = (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11124915&c=Hunton&d=16&e=62&g=6437519&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1474021949203&enc=1|title= Civil Parish Population 2011|access-date= 16 September 2016}}</ref> | civil_parish = Hunton | shire_county = Kent | post_town = Maidstone | postcode_area = ME | postcode_district = ME15 | coordinates = {{coord|51.216667|0.466667|display=inline,title}} | official_name = Hunton | constituency_westminster = Weald of Kent<ref>{{cite web|title= Location of Weald of Kent |url= https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/4385/location |website=parliament.uk|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> }} '''Hunton''' is a civil parish and village near the town of Maidstone in Kent, England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huntonparishcouncil.org.uk/|title=Hunton Parish Council | Hunton Parish Council|first=VCS Parish Council Websites-|last=www.parish-council.uk|website=www.huntonparishcouncil.org.uk}}</ref>
== Toponymy == The village's first recorded name was ''Huntindone'' in the eleventh century. Its name comes from Old English ''hunta'' 'huntsman' and ''dun'' 'hill' - 'Hill of the Huntsman'. The parish was frequently referred to in ancient deeds as ''Huntington''. The name change to Hunton suggests ''tun'' meaning "village".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kentpoi.co.uk/historic/placenames/index.html|title=Kent place names|website=kentpoi.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423193930/http://kentpoi.co.uk/historic/placenames/index.html|archive-date=23 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Hunton fell within the Hundred of Twyford. Its 19th century Registration District & Poor Law Union was Maidstone."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/hunt_plc.htm|title=N.W. Kent Parishes: Hunton North West Kent Family History Society|date=1 December 2012|website=www.nwkfhs.org.uk|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref>
== History == thumb|264x264px|A Map of Hunton, 1945|leftIn the 1870s, Hunton was described like this: <blockquote>The village stands near the river Beult, 3 miles E by S of Yalding r. station, and 4½ SW by S of Maidstone; was once a market town; and has a post office under Staplehurst. The parish comprises 2,061 acres.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/4487|title=Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales|last=Wilson|first=John Marius|year=1870–1872}}</ref></blockquote>
== The village == Within the parish there are two schools. Hunton Church of England Primary School, which was built in 1963 and located at Bishops Lane,<ref name="HUNTON VILLAGE">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-568000-147000/page/7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204110959/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-568000-147000/page/7|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2012|title=Hunton Village BBC|website=domesday|access-date=2017-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hunton.kent.sch.uk/|title=Hunton Primary School|website=www.huntoncepschool.co.uk.|access-date=17 February 2025 }}</ref> was rated 'Good' by Ofsted in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hunton Church of England Primary School: rating and reports|date=12 May 2021|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/118726 |website=ofsted.gov.uk|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> The other is Hunton & Linton Pre-School, in the Village Hall.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hunton & Linton Pre-school: rating and reports|date=12 May 2021 |url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/127270 |website=ofsted.gov.uk|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> There is also a Language Service based in Hunton, 'Kent Language Services' which provides tuition for business or tourism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jnet.co.uk/kentlang|title=Kent Language Services, European Language Tuition|last=Everard|first=Mike|website=jnet.co.uk|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref>
Businesses include a building company, grocers, a gardening company and a pub; 'The White House'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maidstone.co.uk/info/3580|title=The White House|website=Maidstone.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref>
The village has a ‘Pop Up’ shop, selling produce either grown or made by Hunton residents. The shop consists of a small stall, which is mobile and can change venue, although it tends to be held in the Village Club. The shop opens for a few hours on different dates along with the Pop Up Cafe. There are a few farms in the area that sell fresh produce and monthly markets are held in Yalding and East Farleigh. Milebush Farm Pick Your Own is in the area just west of Hunton which has a fruit and vegetable shop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://heyshops.co.uk/04141497/Milebush_Farm_-_Pick_Your_Own_-_Maidstone|title=Milebush Farm - Pick Your Own - Maidstone|website=heyshops.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref>
There is no longer a post office in Hunton, but there is in the surrounding villages of Yalding, Marden and Coxheath, the village does have three post boxes.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.huntonparishcouncil.org.uk/council/hunton/facilities/HuntonWelcomePack.pdf|title=Hunton Welcome Pack PDF|website=www.huntonparishcouncil.org.uk|publisher=VCS Parish Council Websites|access-date=2021-10-08}}</ref>
There is a village website from the parish council with links and information about local organisations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huntonparishcouncil.org.uk/|title=Hunton Parish Council|publisher=VCS Parish Council Websites|access-date=2021-10-08}}</ref>
"Hunton Herald" is a local monthly publication with news, articles, events and adverts about Hunton.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hunton Herald|url=https://www.huntonparishcouncil.org.uk/hunton-herald|publisher=VCS Parish Council Websites|access-date=2021-10-08}}</ref>
== Local points of interest == thumb|273x273px|Busty Manor There are 71 listed buildings in the Parish of Hunton. Four buildings are grade listed II*; Stonewall Farmhouse Mounting Block and Garden Wall to East, Buston Manor, Buston Manor Barn and Granary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/hunton-maidstone-kent#.WNfKHfkrLIV|title=Listed Buildings in Hunton, Maidstone, Kent|last=Stuff|first=Good|website=www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref>
St Mary's Church is located in the village, and is a Grade I listed building.<ref name="NHLE">{{NHLE |num=1250030 |desc=Church of St Mary |access-date=18 August 2012}}</ref> In 1871 the Liberal politician Henry Campbell-Bannerman inherited the estate of Hunton Lodge or Court Lodge (now Hunton Court)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hunton, Kent |url=https://www.culpepperconnections.com/archives/uk/places/hunton.htm |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=www.culpepperconnections.com}}</ref> from his wife's uncle, Henry Bannerman,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NlhQAQAAMAAJ&q=peerage+Henry+campbell-bannerman,&pg=PA1634 |title=Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of the British Empire |date=1898 |publisher=Burke's Peerage Limited. |language=en}}</ref> but did not take possession until 1894 on the death of an aunt who was using the mansion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Delicto |date=2019-08-01 |title=Hunton |url=https://houseandheritage.org/tag/hunton/ |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=HOUSE AND HERITAGE |language=en}}</ref> In the meantime, Campbell-Bannerman and his wife used other homes as a country residence, including the nearby house at Gennings Park, living there until 1887. The Lodge/Court was Grade II Listed on 25 July 1952.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HUNTON COURT, Hunton - 1250127 {{!}} Historic England |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1250127 |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=historicengland.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> The property remained in the Bannerman family until 2008.<ref>John Wilson, ''CB: A Life of Henry Campbell-Bannerman'' (London, 1973), pp. 46-47 {{ISBN|009458950X}}</ref> An April 2008 report in The Times stated that the property included "mature parkland peppered with fine trees [and the home] ... which retains the character of a Edwardian stately home. The service courts are highly picturesque, with the stables and coach house in lovely pink and black chequer brick".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Binney |first=Marcus |date=2023-07-07 |title=Hunton Court cries out for an eco makeover |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/hunton-court-cries-out-for-an-eco-makeover-drpg6ckjx2c |access-date=2023-07-07 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> A report in August 2019, with photographs, indicated that major renovations and modernization had been completed since 2008, "including the restoration and colour-matching of the decorative plasterwork and gilding and the repair and restoration of water-damaged wall murals".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Churchill |first=Penny |date=2019-08-01 |title=A wonderful country house just outside London that was once home to a Tudor rebel and one of the last Liberal prime ministers |url=https://www.countrylife.co.uk/property/wonderful-country-house-just-outside-london-home-tudor-rebel-one-last-liberal-prime-ministers-200371 |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=Country Life |language=en}}</ref>
The Hunton Village Club building dates back to the 1800s, originally believed to be a meeting house and school for young ladies and was once owned by the Hunton Court Estate. Today, the club is run by volunteers to hold events for the village and serves drinks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://huntonvillageclub.co.uk/index.html|title=Home|website=huntonvillageclub.co.uk|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref>
Hunton Village Hall was built in 1926 and retains many of its original features. The building is used for events such as weddings and parties today.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huntonvillagehall.co.uk/index.html|title=Welcome to Hunton Village Hall|website=www.huntonvillagehall.co.uk|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref> Around 1986 it was reported to be named a "working-men's" club.<ref name="HUNTON VILLAGE" />
{{see also|Listed buildings in Hunton, Kent}}
== Transport == Transport in Hunton consists of a bus route through the village, the 26 and 26A Nu-Venture buses travel to either Maidstone or Goudhurst.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nu-venture.co.uk/page4.html|title=Buses 13-65|website=www.nu-venture.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-03-26|archive-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905040015/http://nu-venture.co.uk/page4.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The nearest railway stations are Paddock Wood and Marden.<ref name=":1" />
== Geography == thumb|268x268px|The River Beult The River Beult runs along the south and west border of Hunton and flows into the River Medway at Yalding.
The physical environment of Hunton is mainly green space and is very rural.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11124915&c=hunton&d=16&e=8&g=6437519&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1490471101808&enc=1|title=Detect browser settings|last=Sillitoe|first=Neighbourhood Statistics - Neil|date=2008-04-14|website=www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref> There are many farms across the Parish, including Milebush, Bramling Oast Amsbury, Hammonds Cheveney, Willamette Oast Amsbury, Barn Hill and North Park. Many of these farms have Oast Houses, which are common in Kent.
== Housing == The total number of houses has increased over time; in 1831 there were 137 recorded, 202 in 1961 and 256 in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10151995/cube/HOUSES|title=Hunton CP/AP through time. Housing Statistics. Total Houses|website=www.visionofbritain.org.uk|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124915&c=hunton&d=16&e=61&g=6437519&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1490558182215&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2570|title=Accommodation Type Neighbourhood Statistics|date=2011|access-date=2017-04-16}}</ref> Out of 702 residents, 690 were living in households and 12 in communal establishments reported by the 2011 census.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124915&c=hunton&d=16&e=13&g=6437519&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1490549812418&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2490|title=Resident Type|last=Sillitoe|first=Neighbourhood Statistics - Neil|date=2008-04-14|website=www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref>
The houses in Benstead Close were originally Council owned but are now private.<ref name="HUNTON VILLAGE"/> The type of properties in the area are mainly large detached historical homes and cottages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/Hunton.html|title=House Prices in Hunton, Maidstone, Kent|website=www.rightmove.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref> Next to Hunton CEP School there are almshouses owned by the church.<ref name="HUNTON VILLAGE"/>
== Demography == thumb|Hunton Civil Parish Population, 1801–2011|249x249px|left
=== Population === The earliest record of Hunton's population was 582, in 1801. The highest population recorded there was 934 in 1891.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10151995/cube/TOT_POP|title=Hunton CP AP through time, Population Statistics, Total Population|website=www.visionofbritain.org.uk|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref> The population at the 2011 Census was 702, with 342 males and 359 females in the parish and one legend.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11124915&c=Hunton&d=16&e=62&g=6437519&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1474021949203&enc=1|title=Civil Parish population 2011|publisher=Office for National Statistics|access-date=9 February 2017|work=Neighbourhood Statistics}}</ref> The population time series of Hunton shows this fluctuation over 200 years. thumb|251x251px|Chart showing Ethnic Groups in Hunton, Kent
=== Ethnicity === The 2011 Census reported that out of the total 702 residents, 654 were White; English//Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British, 21 were White; Other White, 11 White; Gypsy/Irish Traveller, 6 White; Irish, 5 Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups; White and Black African and 5 Other. For eight other ethnic groups, no residents were recorded.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11124915&c=hunton&d=16&e=13&g=6437519&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1490549812402&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2575|title=Detect browser settings|last=Sillitoe|first=Neighbourhood Statistics - Neil|date=2008-04-14|website=www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref>
=== Occupational structure === According to 1881 census data, the majority of occupations within the parish were agricultural.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10151995/cube/OCC_ORDER1881|title=Hunton CP/AP through timeIndustry Statistics Occupation data classified into the 24 1881, plus sex|website=www.visionofbritain.org.uk|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref> The different occupations can be seen in the graph below for both females and males. Many female roles were classed as 'unspecified'.
thumb|Occupations of Males and Females in Hunton, 1881|412x412px|none
The 2011 census data shows occupations are much more diverse and similar in numbers today. Female and male occupations are more alike. Females living in Hunton are mainly in professional or secretarial occupations. The majority of males work in managerial, skilled trades and professional occupations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadDatasetList.do?a=7&b=11124915&c=hunton&d=16&g=6437519&i=1001x1003&m=0&r=1&s=1493323911130&enc=1&domainId=9|title=Neighbourhood Statistics Occupations|date=2011|access-date=2017-04-15}}</ref>
thumb|369x369px|Occupations of Males and Females in Hunton, 2011|none
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.huntonparishcouncil.org.uk/ Hunton Parish Council and village]
{{Commons category|Hunton, Kent}} {{Geographic location |Centre = Hunton |North = Coxheath |Northeast = Coxheath |East = Linton |Southeast = Cross-at-Hand |South = Chainhurst |Southwest = Benover |West = Yalding |Northwest = West Farleigh }} {{Maidstone}}
<!-- Openstreetmap coordinates (51.218873, 0.459449) linked to description: village Hunton (which is about 7km north-east of town Paddock Wood and about 19km south of city Rochester in Kent, England, UK) found about 2km east of middle of village Yalding (which is about 6km north-east of town Paddock Wood and about 19km south of city Rochester , ditto) -->
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Category:Villages in Kent Category:Civil parishes in Kent