West Malling Blue Plaque Trail

Step back in time and uncover the remarkable people, places and events that have shaped the charming market town of West Malling in Kent.

The Blue Plaque Trail takes you on a journey through centuries of local history, highlighting significant buildings, influential residents and fascinating stories hidden amongst the town's picturesque streets. From medieval landmarks and historic coaching inns to notable figures who left their mark on the area, each plaque reveals a unique piece of West Malling's heritage.

Whether you're a local resident, history enthusiast or visitor exploring Kent, this self-guided trail offers a fascinating way to discover the town at your own pace.

Along the trail you'll discover:

• Historic buildings that have stood at the heart of the community for generations.
• Stories of influential residents, innovators and community figures.
• Hidden details and lesser-known chapters of West Malling's past.
• Architectural highlights that showcase the town's rich heritage.
• Connections between West Malling and important events in Kent's history.

The trail is easy to follow on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a leisurely stroll through the town centre.

Acknowledgements

This project was concieved by Peter Cosier, who also undertook together with Ray Lawrence, the research work into the social history of the characters featured. Other local residents also helped in providing material and checking content before publication - notably Matt Christmas who produced much of the information on Thomas Selby, Carolyn Shortland who provided just about all the information on Gladys Wright, and Debbie Sutch who proof read all of it. Ray Lawrence also produced the plaque in it final form, incorporating a QR code. The project was coordinated by Malling Action Partnership working with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.