WEST MALLING ~ the town of three towers

West Malling ~ a town that is distinguished by its three towers of the abbey, St Leonard and St Mary the Virgin.
Deriving its name from the Anglo Saxon Meallingas West Malling began to develop when William the Conqueror granted permission for the abbey. The town was designed with a massive square, a defensive keep and built a watchtower dedicated to Saint Leonard.
The prosperity of West Malling allowed many fine houses to be built many of which still survive.
A small emergency airfield from the First World War was taken over by the Royal Air Force in 1939 and became a front line night fighter base.
West Malling continues to be a local centre of business and housing and has also gained a reputation as Kent’s capital of restaurants.