THE BELL INN

At the corner of Three Elm Lane and Victoria Road, the Bell Inn is now the only pub in Golden Green. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book and has always been a part of the village. In October 1853, the Inn was the venue for the inquest on the deaths of thirty hop-pickers who drowned in the River Medway at Hartlake when the wooden side of the bridge collapsed as they crossed in a farm cart. Their monument stands in St. Mary's Churchyard, Hadlow.

These days, the Bell Inn is a family pub which offers an outside childrens play area together with a hot food selection and a warm Golden Green welcome.

BARNES PLACE

Barnes Place in Golden Green is the oldest surviving house in the parish, part of it dating back to the 14th century when it was owned by John at Berne. It is a Grade 1 listed building. The present main block was originally a timber-framed medieval open hall house, open to the roof and heated by an open hearth fire.

SIGN POST FIELD

In the summer of 1993, new play equipment was installed at Sign Post Field, Golden Green, in a joint venture between Golden Green residents, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and the Parish Council and was officially opened on 28th August of that year.

HADLOW CASTLE

Hadlow Castle, or Hadlow Folly as it is also known, stands like a gothic tower block and dominates the Hadlow Parish area. It was built by Walter May, the work beginning in the 1780s and being finished by 1843, although various additions were made later.

The tower, modelled on Fonthill, Wiltshire, was built by his son, Walter Barton May, in 1838 with the lantern tower being added in 1840. Later owners were Robert Rodger, Dr. Macgeagh and the Pearson Family.

The main part of the castle was demolished in 1950 but the tower and some outbuildings were saved by Bernard Hailstone, who converted the Coach House for his own use and found six other families who made their homes in the remaining converted buildings.

Future plans for the castle include replacement of the top quarter, which was removed due to its dangerous condition and various structural works amounting to an estimated £1 million. This will be partly funded by the National Lottery and will have a priviso that the public have access to the building.

CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS

If you travel south from Golden Green, along Hartlake Road, you will reach the nearby village of Tudeley. Here you will find a small church of brick and stone, The Church of All Saints, which was mentioned in the Domesday book.

It contains the only stained glass by Marc Chagall - the contemporary Russian-born artist - in Britain. This magnificent window was dedicated in November 1967, when Chagall was in his 81st year.

It commemorates the 21-year-old daughter of Sir Henry and Lady d'Avigdor Goldsmith who was drowned in 1963 while sailing.