Wye is situated in Kent 1 mile to the east of the main road between
Ashford (5 miles) and Canterbury (10 miles). The Great Stour River runs
along the western side of the village, while to the east the land rises
sharply up the west-facing chalk escarpment of the Downs which forms a
backdrop to most views of the village.
The ecological value of the chalk grassland, including rare species
of plants and insects, is also nationally recognized by the designation
of parts of the Downs above Wye as a National Nature Reserve and as a
Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Above: The very rare Late Spider Orchid Ophrys fuciflora
The valley of the Great Stour has been occupied and farmed since
prehistoric times. For much of its history Wye was a market centre for
the surrounding area...
Traces of Romano-British roads and dwellings have been found and the
medieval road layout still forms the street pattern of the village
core...
The medieval street layout shown in Moon’s map of Wye Town in 1746
forms the basis of the present Conservation Area.
Many of the buildings and land boundaries are still recognisable.
The extend of the village’s built-up area hardly expanded beyond
the historic core until the late 19th century when some new buildings
were added on the edges of the village. The railway line between Ashford
and Canterbury was opened in 1846 and has been an important factor in
Wye’s growth.
Appreciable growth began only after the First World War, when ribbon
development took place along the four main routes out of the village.
There was also some infilling on sites within the village.
Forty years of rapid expansion after the Second World War has
virtually quadrupled the built-up area of the village. During this
period a number of large housing estates were constructed on fields
surrounding the historic core.
Planning restrictions on further expansion introduced during the
1970s saw additional sites for development having to be sought within
the built-up area of the village. Most subsequent increases in the
housing stock have therefore been concentrated on infill and
previously-used (brownfield) sites, within the village.
