| Edenbridge |
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 Edenbridge is a large village situated on the extreme south-western outskirts of the Sevenoaks District, on the fringe of the Weald and between the Greensand hills and the forest ridge of Sussex. It has a long high street full of a variety of small shops. It has many restaurants and pubs and a good range of housing. There is a multi-purpose leisure centre which houses a swimming pool, squash and badminton courts and has facilities for karate and volleyball.Edenbridge is served by two railway stations: Edenbridge (half a mile north of the town) which is on the line from Reading and Guildford via Redhill to Tonbridge; and Edenbridge Town which is on the line from London via Oxted to Uckfield. Both these station can be reached from Victoria and London Bridge. The History Edenbridge marks one of the main crossings of the upper Medway river. Its High Street cuts a straight line through the town and it was originally a section of the Roman road leading from London to Lewes. During the 12th and 13th centuries, there was massive deforrestation in the area and the land began to be used for agriculture. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the local produce was primarily fatstock farming for the London market and the surplus hide was used to build up the leather industry - including boot-and-shoe and glove manufacture. Industry in Edenbridge also focussed on the production of iron and this ensured that the town prospered in the 16th century - shown by the large number of fine timber-framed houses in the area. Through the next 3 centuries, Edenbridge declined as its main industries suffered from increased competition and the introduction of new production methods. During the 20th century, the town has benefited from an revival in farming and the population has increased - due in some part to the increase in the number of people who commute to London. |
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