There are plenty of villages in the UK with unusual names, and they often come with a fascinating history to go along with their unique monikers.
The UK is home to many uniquely named destinations, from the quaint villages of Thong or Pratts Bottom, to the aptly named settlement of Ham nestled near Sandwich.
One village that many are likely to have passed through, and perhaps laughed at its name, is none other than Bean, situated near Dartford and Gravesend in Kent.
Contrary to what you might think, this village, located just off the A2, has nothing to do with Heinz but does boast an intriguing history. With a current population of around 2,000 residents, it holds the distinction of being the most recently formed parish in Kent – although the village itself can trace its origins back to at least the 13th century.
During the Elizabethan period, Bean played a crucial role in the nation’s defence. Owing to its elevated position, with parts of the village perched 300ft above sea level, Bean was selected as the location for one of the chain of beacons lit to signal the impending arrival of the Spanish Armada around 1580.
What are now known as Southfleet Road and High Street were originally christened Beaccon Lane (spelt in the original 16th-century style) and Lower Beaccon Lane respectively. The Bean beacon was positioned at the top of the hill where Beacon Wood Country Park now stands, its name serving as a nod to this historical significance.
The country park is the area’s crown jewel, drawing walkers from across the region to discover its winding paths and stunning landscapes all year round. Established in 1991, it ranks among Kent’s newer country parks, featuring diverse, ancient woodland that’s perfect for wildlife watching, reports Kent Live.
For approximately 400 years, the site’s trees provided timber for various purposes, before the area shifted to gunpowder production from 1885. Clay excavation for cement manufacturing began in 1935, creating the distinctive pitted terrain visible today.
Wandering through the park in 2025, visitors will discover a sheltered picnic spot ideal for family meals, a pond and wetland zone complete with observation deck, plus plenty of routes for leisurely strolls around the former clay workings that nature has almost entirely reclaimed. On-site parking costs just £1 via the honesty box system.
Boasting a four-star TripAdvisor rating, one guest hailed the park as a “hidden gem” and shared: “Lovely quiet woods with lots of paths to explore and is great for dog walking. The woods are maintained by volunteers and people are asked to put £1 in an honesty box for parking to help with upkeep.”
After a day of exploring, why not pop into the village centre for a pint at the local pub?
The Black Horse is touted by its owners as a “large, family-friendly pub” that regularly screens live sports.
A favourite spot in the summer due to its sunny beer garden, the pub remains a hit during the colder months with its indoor games room complete with pool table and darts board. It’s also dog-friendly, so your furry friend can join you for some relaxation after a day out in the country park.
Previous customers have applauded the “attentive staff”, even on busy nights, and the “great ambience”. One TripAdvisor user praised: “Kyle the landlord couldn’t have been more attentive if he tried and constantly made sure that we were happy which was really appreciated.
“I would certainly recommend the venue to anyone and we would most definitely use this again in the future.”
For those considering a move to a quieter part of Kent like Bean, the village boasts house prices significantly lower than the county average.
Rightmove lists the average property price in the village over the past year as £330,290, compared to the Kent average of £425,497. Over the last year, the majority of properties sold in Bean were terraced houses, fetching an average price of £352,000, while semi-detached homes sold for an average of £377,500 and flats went for £217,950.
The area is also a great fit for young families, boasting its own primary school. Bean Primary School takes full advantage of its rural surroundings, offering a wealth of outdoor learning activities and sports for students to partake in, and proudly holds a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating from its last inspection in April 2025.
