Town Pop. 477

Living in Old Wives Lees: Liveability Score 37/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Old Wives Lees scores 37/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Furthest below the national norm is broadband, at 14/100 against a town median of 60/100. Among the 12 scored places sharing the CT4 postcode district, Old Wives Lees ranks 10th.

The CT4 district averages 44/100, putting Old Wives Lees 7 points below its own postcode area. On safety specifically, Old Wives Lees sits 16 points above the CT4 district figure of 74/100. That sits 13 points below the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the bottom quarter of the towns and villages we score. For the surrounding area, see CT4 postcode district.

37
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.

Old Wives Lees scores 37 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Old Wives Lees.
Or compare:
CT4 5AA CT4 6AA CT4 7AA CT4 8AA CT4

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
90
100.6 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 20 crimes
↑ 26% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 7 crimes
↑ 116% above national average
Other theft 6 crimes
↑ 103% above national average
Public order 5 crimes
↑ 62% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 4 crimes
↓ 45% below national average
other 6 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 New Forest Lane 7 crimes
  2. 2 Shrimpton Close 6 crimes
  3. 3 Parking Area 5 crimes

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

Environment
65
Air Quality NO₂ 6.4 · PM2.5 6.6 · PM10 10.6 µg/m³
73
Green Space 46
Parks None
Sports Pitches None
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Some 1

Services

Schools
13
1 school in area · 3 within 4km
1Good
  • Chilham, St Mary's Church of England Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good

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

Healthcare
8
A&E departmentsEstuary View Medical Centre6 mi
WIlliam Harvey Hospital7.9 mi
William Harvey Hospital7.9 mi
Hospital waitsEast Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust1.7 mi
Routine referral (median)15 wks
Treated within 18 weeks56.5%
A&E seen within 4 hrs74.3%
Nearest GP surgeryDr Dale S Kinnersley & Partner1.7 mi
GP capacity6,237 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
14
Full fibre (FTTP)68.5%
available across Ashford
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
28.5%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
28.5%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
93.8%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 20 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
40
Employment rate53.1%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed53.1%Unemployed1.4%Retired29.9%Student2.6%Other inactive13%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial41.9%Skilled & technical35.3%Routine & elementary22.7%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications17.6%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.3%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)11.6%Level 3 (A levels)15.4%Level 4+ (degree & above)36.1%Apprenticeship5.4%Other (incl. vocational)3.5%
Home ownership68%
Among the most-deprived 33% 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
22
Chilham 0.8 mi
Selling 2 mi
Chartham 2.1 mi
J7 M2 3.7 mi
J7 M2 3.8 mi
J6 M2 4.5 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
17
Pubs & Bars Some 1
Restaurants & Cafes None
Supermarkets & Convenience None
Retail Shopping None
Takeaways None
Fitness None

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House Prices

Not enough recent sales

Fewer than 10 sales were recorded in Old Wives Lees 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

Chilham 36 0.6 mi away ⇄
Oversland 37 1.8 mi away ⇄
Chartham 38 2.1 mi away ⇄
Dunkirk 39 2.6 mi away ⇄
Boughton under Blean 39 2.8 mi away ⇄
Upper Harbledown 40 3.2 mi away ⇄
Bilting 44 3.4 mi away ⇄
Rough Common 51 4.3 mi away ⇄
Blean 45 4.8 mi away ⇄
Lower Hardres and Street End 38 4.8 mi away ⇄
Challock 37 4.8 mi away ⇄
Waterham 0 5.0 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Old Wives Lees a nice place to live?

Old Wives Lees has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Old Wives Lees is 37/100, 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 Old Wives Lees?

Old Wives Lees is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 90/100. There were 48 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Old Wives Lees?

Among the top-rated schools in Old Wives Lees is Chilham, St Mary's Church of England Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 1 rated schools in Old Wives Lees in total.

Old Wives Lees in context

See the best places to live in Kent, ranked

Postcode districts in Old Wives Lees

CT4 44 ⇄

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