The longest village in England that nobody can pronounce just half hour away from Essex

For the unacquainted, the name Meopham is an easy one to trip over on a first attempt. Despite its frankly confusing order of vowels, the correct pronunciation is simply ‘Mep-uhm’.

Now that you know how to actually say it, you might be wondering just what makes this village so special. The answer is - a lot. For a start Meopham boasts the unique claim to fame of being England’s longest village, standing as one of Europe’s longest linear settlements, stretching seven miles in length as the crow flies.

Housing around 7,000 residents and spanning a total area of eight and a half square miles, it's among Kent's more sizable villages and is a 31 minute drive from the borough of Thurrock in Essex. With easy access to the A2 and M20, it has fantastic links to both the coast and London.

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Plus, regular high speed train services pass through the village, which can have you in the heart of the capital in just under an hour. With its fantastic travel connections and ideal location, it’s no wonder this piece of the county has grown to be quite the property hotspot, KentLive reports.

House prices have shown continual growth in the last few years, with properties here selling for an average of £586,486 over the last 12 months according to Rightmove. This is an increase of five per cent from the previous year and 15 per cent up on the 2020 peak of £510,201. The majority of these sales have been for detached properties, fetching an average of £749,514. Semi-detached homes meanwhile sold on average at £483,139, with terraced properties coming in at £397,389.

Beyond the commuter connections and the unique title, the long village of Meopham has plenty to offer for both residents and visitors. If you’re a cricket fanatic, it features one of the best kept cricket greens in the country. In fact, cricket has been played on Meopham Green since 1778 and former Prime Minister Sir John Major is a patron of Meopham Cricket Club. He stood on a soap box there during the general election of 1992.

There are plenty of brilliant boozers to stop by during a visit, such as the Cricketers' Inn overlooking the quintessential village green. Or you might try the King's Arms, where King Charles I is believed to have stayed during the Civil War.

It’s easy to spend an entire day exploring the village centre, with its eclectic array of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Bartellas is a firm favourite among locals and guests, offering delicious Mediterranean-style grub and a selection of tasty tipples from the cocktail bar and lounge.

Ranking as the best restaurant in the village on TripAdvisor, and having received a coveted Travellers’ Choice Award in 2023, patrons can’t seem to recommend this spot enough. “Everything about this restaurant is impressive”, one reviewer writes. “The staff are so professional and efficient - service was faultless. An amazing menu and the food is delicious. The restaurant's décor is so light and has a lovely warm atmosphere. I would without a doubt recommend a visit.”

There is a broad age group in the village, partly because of the five schools that attract families. The primary and secondary school sees varying ages of parents and then there are the 'lifers', those who have lived there most, if not all, of their lives. It has a stunning windmill, much photographed by locals and visitors, which is dated from 1801. Built by the Killick Brothers, the windmill is now the "headquarters” of the parish council. It is reputedly one of the best preserved windmills in Kent.

There is the 40-acre Camer Park, which is a grassy meadowland punctuated by beautiful trees that has been listed as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is a great place for a picnic in the sun, spotting wildlife and insects including butterflies as you tuck into a sandwich.

The village sign, designed by local artist Eric Bugg "stands proudly on Hook Green", says the parish council. It was erected in 1998 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Meopham Historical Society and was presented to the council.