The UK is home to plenty of uniquely named destinations, from the small villages of Thong or Pratts Bottom, to the aptly named settlement of Ham nestled near Sandwich. One village that has likely caused many a chuckle as motorists pass through is none other than Bean, situated near Dartford and Gravesend in Kent.
Despite what you might think, this village, located just off the A2, has nothing to do with Heinz but boasts an interesting history nonetheless. With a current population of around 2,000 people, it holds the distinction of being the most recently formed parish in Kent, despite the village’s origins tracing back to at least the 13th century. And during the Elizabethan era, Bean held a very important role in national defence.
Thanks to its high position, with parts of the village sitting 300ft above sea level, Bean was chosen as the site for one of the chain of beacons lit to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada around 1580.
As such, what now stands as Southfleet Road and High Street used to be named Beaccon Lane (original 16th century spelling) and Lower Beaccon Lane respectively. The Bean beacon was found at the peak of the hill where you will now find Beacon Wood Country Park, with its name being a reflection of this history.
Established in 1991, it ranks amongst the newer additions to Kent’s country parks, featuring diverse, historic woodland that’s perfect for wildlife observation.
For approximately 400 years, the timber from these trees served various commercial purposes, before the site became a gunpowder manufacturing location from 1885 onwards.
Clay excavation for cement production commenced in 1935, creating the distinctive pitted terrain visible at the location today.
Wandering through the park in 2025, visitors will see a sheltered picnic spot ideal for family dining, along with a pond and wetland section featuring an observation deck, plus plenty of routes for leisurely walks around the former clay quarries that nature has almost entirely reclaimed.
On-site parking is available for just £1 deposited in the honesty box.
Boasting a four-star TripAdvisor rating, one guest praised the park as a “hidden gem” and commented on their visit: “Lovely quiet woods with lots of paths to explore and is great for dog walking. The woods are maintained by volunteers and people are asked to put £1 in an honesty box for parking to help with upkeep.”
After a day of exploring, why not head to the village centre for some refreshments at the local pub?
The Black Horse is touted by its owners as a “large, family-friendly pub” that regularly screens live sports.
A favourite spot during the summer months due to its sunny beer garden, the pub remains popular in the colder seasons with its indoor games room equipped with a pool table and darts board. It’s also a dog-friendly establishment, so you can bring your furry friend along for some relaxation after a day out in the country park.
Previous visitors have applauded the “attentive staff”, even on busy nights, and the “great ambience”. One TripAdvisor user praised: “Kyle the landlord couldn’t have been more attentive if he tried and constantly made sure that we were happy which was really appreciated.
“I would certainly recommend the venue to anyone and we would most definitely use this again in the future.”
For those considering settling down in a quieter part of Kent like Bean, the village offers housing prices significantly lower than the county average.
Rightmove lists the average property price in the village over the past 12 months as £330,290, compared to the Kent average of £425,497. Over the past year, the majority of properties sold in Bean were terraced houses, selling for an average price of £352,000, while semi-detached properties fetched an average of £377,500 and flats went for £217,950.
The area is also a great fit for young families, boasting its own primary school. Bean Primary School takes full advantage of its rural surroundings, offering a wealth of outdoor learning activities and sports for students to partake in, and proudly holds a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating from its last inspection in April 2025.