SALTWOOD is a typical Kentish village, situated one mile inland from Hythe in Kent, and separated from that coastal town (and cinque port) by a steep embankment.

It is a thriving village, centred on a village green with ancient fountain, war memorial, and a beautiful horse chestnut tree. Buildings around the village green include the old forge (now a cottage), the Castle Hotel and public house, the Village Hall (a striking monumnet), and the old Fountain Stores (now housing and office space).

The Parish Church of St.Peter and St.Paul is a wonderful Norman building, and is open most days. It sits at the far end of Rectory Lane, opposite the three Rectories - the largest is now known as “Saltwood House” - the next in line is the 8-bedroom building now known as “The Old Rectory”, built in 1928 - finally there is the present parsonage “The Rectory” built in the early 1980s.

Across the fields from the church is Grange Farm, and beyond it Saltwood Castle. The Grange (in Grange Road) can also be viewed, with its prominent gable ends. Grange Farm is a working farm in the village centre. There are still other working farms within the parish.

There is a district chapel-of-ease at Pedlinge, which is one of two main hamlets within the parish, the other being Sandling. Sandling is the site of a railway station (once a junction for the branch line to Hythe and Sandgate, but now serving only the main line from London to Folkestone and Dover). The high speed rail link to the channel tunnel also passes through the parish here. Sandling Park is the big estate, whose workers traditionally worshipped at Pedlinge Chapel.

Saltwood Castle was once a home of the Archbishop’s of Canterbury. Ironically, the knights who came from France to murder Archbishop Thomas Becket stayed at Saltwood Castle overnight on their way to commit their dastardly murder.

The village primary school is popular and successful. The original buildings in school road continued in use until the late 1990s when they were demolised to make way for new housing. This leaves only the newer buildings, which are accessed chiefly from Grange Road, although a small pedestrian access is maintained from School Road.

There is an active cricket club, with a ground and pavilion near Kiln Corner.

Saltwood is named as Salteode in the Domesday Book of 1086. This is said to be derived from the earlier Old English form Saltwuda, meaning a wood where salt is made or stored. There are still extensively wooded areas within the parish, particularly between Saltwood and Sandling.

The village centre and Sandling railway station have long been linked by a bus service, which continues to operate.