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11 things you only know if you grew up in a Kent village

13:46, 28 August 2018

updated: 14:23, 28 August 2018

Kent might be within touching distance of London but it is home to an array of enchanting villages.

With picturesque Tudor houses and winding country roads, they are wonderful places to explore - far away from the chaos of the city.

Here are 11 things you will relate to if you were lucky enough to grow up in one of the county's cosier communities.

1 - Having to beg for a lift anywhere before you got your licence

Before passing your driving test, living in a village can be challenging
Before passing your driving test, living in a village can be challenging

Kent's villages may be beautiful, but some of them have painfully archaic transport links.

Before passing your driving test, life mainly consisted of begging family members for lifts to and from the nearest town.

Whether you needed ferrying to a party, friends' house or a Saturday job, let's take a moment to appreciate the heroes that got you there on time.

2 - Being perfectly located near a lovely country pub

Ye Olde Yew Tree Inn, Westbere Lane, Canterbury. Picture: Tony Flashman
Ye Olde Yew Tree Inn, Westbere Lane, Canterbury. Picture: Tony Flashman

By the time you turn 18, the charms of a quaint country pub are usually by no means a mystery.

Being able to stumble home from a night out with friends is one of the huge benefits of living in one of Kent's villages.

Grabbing Sunday lunch, or a hearty meal with family and friends, is also a huge highlight.

3 - Travelling miles to your nearest secondary school

Making friends at the bus stop is a rite of passage for villagers
Making friends at the bus stop is a rite of passage for villagers

Many of you may have been lucky enough to benefit from a tiny local primary school, nestled in the heart of the community.

Secondary school, however, can be a completely different story.

While long bus journeys aren't exactly fun, the bond you share with the other pupils at the bus stop is like no other.

4 - Getting to know everyone at your tiny train station on the morning commute

Village train stations often become a hotbed of local gossip
Village train stations often become a hotbed of local gossip

As you get older, you might commute to London, or even one of Kent's towns, for work.

The great thing about village stations? The people you get to know there, and say good morning to every day.

The only downside? When you have to wait what feels like years for a train that actually stops at your station.

5 - Knowing at least one person with a horse

We've all got that one friend who's madly obsessed with horses
We've all got that one friend who's madly obsessed with horses

Villagers love horses, and the other farm animals that dominate the Kentish countryside.

If you were convinced to ride one as a child while being absolutely terrified, you may have a slightly complicated relationship with them.

As you grew up, however, you began to love the fact there were so many close by - or you got better at avoiding them completely.

6 - Jumping at the sound of a siren at night because it's completely alien

Hearing sirens can be a rarity
Hearing sirens can be a rarity

It's no secret that villages can be very quiet places - especially ones with virtually no main roads.

Nights are often very quiet, so when you do hear a siren it can be a seriously rude awakening.

If you move to London or one of Kent's livelier towns in later life, learning to tune them out becomes essential.

7 - Trekking through the woods with your friends and getting lost at least once

Kent has acres of woodland to get lost in
Kent has acres of woodland to get lost in

We've all been there, surely?

Wandering through the woods on a summer's day, only to find you have no idea how to get home again.

And forget relying on your phone for help, because chances are you won't get any signal.

8 - Always having to stay at someone else's house after a night out because the taxi home is so expensive

Getting home after a late night can be difficult
Getting home after a late night can be difficult

While many people complain about the expense of a night out, they don't even know the half of it.

Many a villager has dealt with the agony of wanting to go out, but knowing a taxi home at 2am is either impossible, or going to cost an arm and a leg.

If you had family who were willing to step in at this point, they genuinely deserve a medal.

9 - Missing major life events because the bus refused to show up

How many birthday parties have you missed?
How many birthday parties have you missed?

Another transport-related one, but still true.

There's nothing worse than that sinking feeling when, after half an hour at the bus stop, you know you're not going anywhere.

So if you've missed appointments, birthday parties, family events or even been late to school or work - you're not alone.

10 - Taking hundreds of sunset pictures in your local fields, just because...

A poppy field captured by Jean Fernand
A poppy field captured by Jean Fernand

Despite not always being convenient, living in a village is certainly a great photo opportunity.

From watching sunsets over fields of wheat, to taking pictures of a group of friendly cows - you can't beat the Instagram feed of a villager.

Just don't get caught stomping through the wrong part of a farmers' field, as you will not get a warm reception.

11 - Loving towns and cities, but being happy to come home

There's no place like home
There's no place like home

Going to stay in cities can often feel like an escape, but when you get home, you realise how much you've missed it.

There's nothing like growing up in Kent, whether you live in a tiny village or bustling town.

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