Town Pop. 604

Living in Bethersden: Liveability Score 38/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Bethersden scores 38/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. The biggest shortfall against other towns is economic health: 49/100 versus a median of 67/100. Bethersden places 7th of 12 in the TN26 postcode district.

That sits 12 points below the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the bottom quarter of the towns and villages we score. Also scoring 80 or better: safety (85). Below 30/100: healthcare (3), lifestyle (12), schools (17) and transport (19). The same breakdown for the wider area is on the TN26 postcode district.

38
OUT OF 100
Below Avg
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Bethersden scores 38 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Bethersden.
Or compare:
TN26 1AB TN26 2AA TN26 3AA TN26

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
85
147.4 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Above the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 39 crimes
↑ 94% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 13 crimes
↑ 216% above national average
Other theft 8 crimes
↑ 113% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 8 crimes
↓ 13% below national average
Burglary 5 crimes
↑ 137% above national average
other 16 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Sparrow Hatch Lane 20 crimes
  2. 2 Pluckley Road 9 crimes
  3. 3 Kiln Lane 9 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
65
Air Quality NO₂ 5.871 · PM2.5 6.549 · PM10 10.752 µg/m³
74
Green Space 45
Parks None
Sports Pitches Adequate 2
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts Some 2
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Some 1

Services

Schools
17
1 school in area · 2 within 4km
1Good
  • Bethersden Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
3
A&E departmentsWilliam Harvey Hospital6.6 mi
WIlliam Harvey Hospital6.7 mi
Maidstone Hospital15.2 mi
Hospital waitsKent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust3 mi
Routine referral (median)5 wks
Treated within 18 weeks99.9%
A&E seen within 4 hrs99.1%
Nearest GP surgeryWoodchurch Surgery3.8 mi
GP capacity1,462 patients per GP
0dentists0pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
42
Full fibre (FTTP)68.5%
available across Ashford
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
69.2%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
69.2%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
100%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 29 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
49
Employment rate51.6%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed51.6%Unemployed2.1%Retired29.6%Student3.2%Other inactive13.4%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial41%Skilled & technical39.5%Routine & elementary19.5%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications18.9%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)11.1%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)14.2%Level 3 (A levels)17.5%Level 4+ (degree & above)29.2%Apprenticeship6.6%Other (incl. vocational)2.5%
Home ownership74.8%
Among the most-deprived 39% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
45
Council tax Ashford · 2026-27
A £1,607
B £1,874
C £2,142
D £2,410
E £2,946
F £3,481
G £4,017
H £4,820
Energy South East England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Southern Water
Average bill regional £683/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
19
Pluckley 2 mi
Ashford International 5.4 mi
Charing 5.8 mi
J9 M20 5.3 mi
J9 M20 5.6 mi
J10 M20 6.7 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
12
Pubs & Bars Some 2
Restaurants & Cafes None
Supermarkets & Convenience Some 1
Retail Shopping None
Takeaways None
Fitness Some 1

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House Prices

Not enough recent sales

Fewer than 10 sales were recorded in Bethersden in the last 12 months, which isn't enough for a reliable median. Smaller villages often fall below this in any given year. Figures come from HM Land Registry Price Paid data and are updated monthly, so this may fill in later.

Nearby places

High Halden 33 2.6 mi away ⇄
Pluckley Thorne 40 2.9 mi away ⇄
Chilmington Green 45 3.0 mi away ⇄
Smarden 37 3.2 mi away ⇄
Pluckley 42 3.3 mi away ⇄
Shadoxhurst 35 3.3 mi away ⇄
Woodchurch 40 3.5 mi away ⇄
Great Chart 54 3.5 mi away ⇄
London Beach 34 3.5 mi away ⇄
Hothfield 31 4.0 mi away ⇄
Woolpack Corner 34 4.4 mi away ⇄
Tenterden 43 4.6 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Bethersden a nice place to live?

Bethersden has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Bethersden is 38/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Bethersden?

Bethersden is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 85/100. There were 89 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Bethersden?

Among the top-rated schools in Bethersden is Bethersden Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 1 rated schools in Bethersden in total.

Bethersden in context

See the best places to live in Kent, ranked

Postcode districts in Bethersden

TN26 36 ⇄

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