Edenbridge, Kent

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Edenbridge is a small town and civil parish in the Sevenoaks district of Kent, England. It's on the border with Surrey and sits on the floodplain of the River Medway, taking its name from the River Eden. The population was about 7,800 in 2011.

Origin and history
The name comes from Old English and means Eadhelm’s Bridge. The old town grew along a section of the ancient London to Lewes Way Roman road, where iron smelting by-products were used in road-building. In the Middle Ages Edenbridge became a center for the Wealden iron industry. Mediaeval timber buildings remain, including a building that houses the Eden Valley Museum. The town expanded after the railways arrived, with Marlpit Hill now part of Edenbridge.

Floods and floods defences
Because the town sits on the River Eden floodplain, it is prone to flooding. The worst floods hit in 1958, before flood defences were built. In 1968, after dredging, heavy rains caused another flood and even required a helicopter rescue. More flood defences have been built since, and the town is now better prepared. In December 2019 the river again burst its banks, causing widespread disruption.

The mills
Edenbridge has had four mills over the centuries: Haxted Mill and Honour’s Mill on the River Eden, Christmas Mill on a tributary of the Eden, and a windmill to the south. All four mill buildings still stand, though they are now used for other purposes.

Railways and transport
There are two railway stations serving Edenbridge. The older Edenbridge station at Marlpit Hill opened in 1842 on the South Eastern Railway. The second station, Edenbridge Town, is about a mile to the southeast and is on a line to Uckfield. The two lines are not connected as a junction. Both lines were damaged in 2019–2020 but were repaired. Services are run by Southern: Edenbridge Station has an hourly (twice-peak) Redhill–Tonbridge service, and Edenbridge Town has an hourly (peak extra) London Bridge–Uckfield service; Sundays, the latter ends at Oxted.

Modern Edenbridge
There are no banks in town today, but a post office serves residents. In 2023 a new Edenbridge Memorial Health Centre opened, replacing the old hospital and GP surgery. The town has a mix of shops, including major chains.

Twin towns and community
Edenbridge is twinned with Mont-Saint-Aignan in Normandy, France—the town’s inner relief road is named Mont St Aignan Way in their honor. The Edenbridge Bonfire Society is famous for its Guy Fawkes Night celebrations, including a notable effigy event in 2022.

Places of worship
The parish church, St Peter and St Paul, dates from the 13th century and is Grade I listed, with windows by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and medieval graffiti. Other places of worship include a Baptist chapel, St Lawrence’s Roman Catholic Church, St John’s United Reformed Church, and a Jehovah’s Witnesses hall. A former Ebenezer Chapel is now a community café, and nearby Marlpit Hill houses a preschool and village hall. An area chapel, St Paulinus’ Church Centre, is used for community activities, and the Eden Church now meets at a rebuilt site on Marlpit Hill.

Local media
Residents receive BBC South East and BBC London, as well as ITV Meridian and ITV London through local transmitters. Local radio comes from BBC Radio Kent, Heart South, Gold, and KMFM West Kent. The Edenbridge Chronicle provides local news.