Acrise

Acrise is one of the smallest and quietest parishes in Kent, a scattering of farms and cottages spread across a couple of square miles of high, flinty ground between Elham and Densole, about six miles north of Folkestone. There has never really been a village here in the conventional sense — the old county historian Edward Hasted described it in the 18th century as 'an obscure parish… situated great part of it on high ground, in a wild, dreary and flinty country”, and that scattered, hilltop character hasn't changed much since. The name itself comes from the Old English for 'oak brushwood', and it appears in the Domesday Book as Acers.

What Acrise does have is a genuine sense of remoteness for somewhere so close to the coast. The parish church of St Martin, a Grade I listed building with Norman origins, sits almost alone in a field, and Acrise Place — a country house with 16th, 17th and 18th-century phases, Grade II* listed — is tucked away nearby. Beyond that, this is walking and driving country: narrow lanes twisting between hedgerows, long views over the Elham Valley, and the sense of the North Downs rolling away towards Canterbury in one direction and Folkestone and the Channel in the other. It's a base for people who want the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the doorstep and the coast within twenty minutes, rather than a destination with its own high street.

Top things to do near Acrise

Acrise itself is more scenery than sightseeing, but it sits within easy reach of some of Kent's best countryside and coastline.

• Lyminge Forest — One of the largest woodlands in Kent, a few miles south of Acrise, with waymarked walking and cycling routes (including an 8-mile Purple Ride) through ancient woodland that turns to bluebells in spring.
• Elham Valley Way — A 22.5-mile long-distance path through the Kent Downs National Landscape linking Canterbury to Hythe, passing close to Acrise through hidden byways and traditional villages.
• Elham village — A handsome, historic small town a couple of miles away, with roots back to Saxon times, a market square, timber-framed buildings and a couple of good pubs.
• Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne — The National Memorial to the Few, on the cliffs between Folkestone and Dover, with full-size Spitfire and Hurricane replicas and a visitor centre; entry is free.
• Folkestone — The nearest sizeable town, with the Harbour Arm, Lower Leas Coastal Park, and the regenerated Creative Quarter of galleries, shops and restaurants.
• Canterbury Cathedral — The UNESCO World Heritage cathedral city is around 40 minutes away by car, an easy day trip from Acrise.
• Dover Castle and the White Cliffs — England's 'key to the kingdom', with its wartime tunnels, is a short drive along the coast.

Getting to Acrise

Acrise sits just off the B2065, the main road running north from Folkestone up through the Elham Valley, so it is easiest reached by car; the M20 and A20 connect to the motorway network and the Channel Tunnel terminal at Folkestone. The nearest railway stations are Folkestone West and Folkestone Central, both around six miles away, with regular high-speed services to London St Pancras in around an hour. From the station, a car or taxi is the practical way to reach the hamlet itself, as there is no direct bus service into Acrise.

Best time to visit Acrise

Spring is particularly rewarding, when the woodland floors of Lyminge Forest and the wider Elham Valley fill with bluebells, wood anemones and wild garlic. Summer brings long days for walking the Elham Valley Way and exploring the coast at Folkestone. Autumn turns the ancient woods gold and russet and is a favourite season for walkers, while winter is quieter still — good for crisp downland walks and cosy pub lunches in Elham, with the coast and Canterbury close by for a change of scene.

Where to stay near Acrise

Accommodation right in Acrise itself is limited, given its size, so most visitors base themselves in nearby Elham, Densole or Folkestone, which offer a mix of country inns, bed and breakfasts and self-catering cottages within a few minutes' drive of the hamlet and the surrounding Kent Downs countryside.

Food and drink near Acrise

For food and drink, the nearby village of Elham is the best bet, with traditional pubs including The Rose and Crown and The Abbot's Fireside serving classic pub food in a historic setting. Folkestone's Creative Quarter and harbour area offer a wider choice, from seafood at the Harbour Arm's food stalls to independent cafes and restaurants across the town.