Kent’s ‘safest village’ with less crime than anywhere else has gorgeous river walks

Crime is an unfortunate part of day to day life no matter where you go in the world, but of course some areas are worse than others. If you live in Kent and want to avoid trouble as much as possible, then one village in particular that has been deemed the county’s ‘safest’ may be the perfect place for you.

A recent study from Schofields Insurance sought to track down the nation’s hidden gem holiday destinations, with particular focus paid to crime levels in each area. While Ightham came out on top for Kent in terms of the best balance of safety and things to do, it was not the village with the lowest crime rate in the county.

No, this honour goes to teeny tiny Stourmouth found between Canterbury and Thanet. Actually two settlements, East and West Stourmouth, the area holds a population of just over 260 people according to the latest census.

Read more: Kent's Italian restaurant named among UK’s best shares its keys to success

Read more: I went to city's biggest beer garden and found a new summer favourite

Schofields records that the area’s crime rate equates to 6.47 instances per 1,000 people, relative to its population. East Stourmouth is the main population centre, resting along the B2048.

With both the Little Stour and Great Stour running alongside the settlements, this is a fantastic spot to visit for a scenic riverside walk as the weather starts to warm up. Throughout the area you can find a wide variety of wildlife, so any budding nature photographers out there are sure to love an afternoon stroll around this peaceful patch of the county.

Otters, water voles, crayfish and Kingfishers are just some of the species known to live amidst the marshes. North Court Farm is a particularly popular spot for visitors to explore, having benefited from countryside management and featuring handy information signs that provide details on the area and guide those who journey through.

This slice of the Garden of England is also a prominent farming area, with crops such as barley, potatoes and oats grown here, making it a truly scenic place to explore. There are also numerous large orchids where various fresh fruit is produced, including apples and plums, giving the area a real picture-perfect quality.

In terms of other facilities, the area is a little sparse, primarily consisting of residential properties and no public buildings. There previously stood a school that was built in 1872 and catered to just 55 pupils before it closed in the mid-20th century, before then serving as a village hall for a time before being converted into a residential home.

The Rising Sun pub, where the oldest part of the building was constructed in 1372 and remains open to this day, first operated as a bakery. During the 18th century, the establishment was granted an alcohol licence and until 1865, all of the innkeepers were also bakers who continued to operate the bakery as well as the pub.

These days, the building is used as the parish polling station for elections but much of the historic features and atmosphere remain in the continuing business. Until the 1970s, Stourmouth held a village post office and bakery but both have since also been lost.

If you are looking to wet your whistle after your walk around Stourmouth, the hamlet of Plucks Gutter is just a short distance away and features the Dog and Duck Inn. The family-run boozer prides itself on its warm and welcoming atmosphere, offering a menu of traditional pub grub alongside an extensive range of draught beers, ales, ciders, spirits, wines and more.

Thanks to its beautiful countryside setting, the pub has also seen success in hosting weddings and receptions. Currently the Dog and Duck holds an admirable TripAdvisor rating of four stars out of five from over 250 reviews.

One pleased punter remarked: “What an absolute gem this place is! Our first visit, we didn’t know what to expect. It’s in a relaxed setting by the river, with beautifully manicured gardens. The pub/restaurant is much larger than it first appears. There is an extensive range of beers, all served by very friendly staff. But the true diamond here is the food!”

Among Stourmouth’s most prominent landmarks is All Saints Church, notable for reportedly standing as the second oldest parish church in all of England. Found in West Stourmouth, the Grade I listed site dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period, with some alterations made in the 12th century. The church then had to be rebuilt after it was badly damaged during an earthquake in 1382.

It was largely restored in 1845 but has been redundant since 1979. Now under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, it can be tricky to find being hidden away a little off-track, but it's still a fascinating and historically important site to visit.

Should the idea of a peaceful, crime-free life in Stourmouth appeal to you, property prices here sit a little above the overall Kent average. Rightmove reports that homes here had an overall average price of £525,000 over the last year, compared to £458,281 for the wider county in the same period.

Get more news from KentLive straight to your inbox for free HERE.