Luddesdown
Luddesdown | |
---|---|
Gravesend | |
Postcode district | DA13 |
Police | Kent |
Fire | Kent |
Ambulance | South East Coast |
UK Parliament | |
Luddesdown (/ˈlʌdzdən/) is a civil parish in the Gravesham District of Kent, England.
Geography
This very rural parish, forming part of the North Downs
The civil parish also contains its main neighbourhood or street, Henley Street, and separate
History
Luddesdown is first recorded in 975 as Hludes duna (Hlud's hill); in 1186 it was Ludesdon and in 1610 Luddesdowne. It is pronounced Ludsdun. In 939 there was a mound nearby called Hludes beorh - suggesting that Hlud was a prominent citizen.[3]
The church, originally belonging to the local
The small
Luddesdown was a parish in Strood Rural District, though local tax levels were set and services were also provided by Kent County Council prior to 1974.
The Court itself is early mediæval and was the residence of William the Conqueror’s half-brother until 1082. Some sources indicate that it may be "the oldest continually occupied house in the country".[7] Other sources state that the oldest is actually Saltford Manor House in Saltford, Somerset, near Bath. The Court property is Grade I listed for its (inter alia) oak beam supported hall with 10 windows, five to each side, with flint and stone dressing of the whole building. It has wall paintings to the lower chamber and 16th and 19th century extensions. There is a 14th-century fireplace.[8]
Sport and Leisure
The parish also contains a picturesque cricket club, founded in 1947, Luddesdowne CC.[9]
References
- ^ "Civil Parish population 2011". Retrieved 30 September 2015.
- ^ Matthews, Brian (1971) The History of Strood Rural District, Strood Rural District Council.
- ISBN 0-905270-61-4
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1029535)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ^ Luddesdown church
- ^ The Lost Village Of Dode
- ^ "'The oldest house in England', once lived in by William the Conqueror's brother, is up for sale". Country Life. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1096343)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ^ Luddesdowne CC
External links
- Media related to Luddesdown at Wikimedia Commons
- Luddesdown Parish Council website