From the https://www.kentlive.news By Mary Harris, 30 November 2024.

The tiny Kent village where Brad Pitt popped into the pub during filming of World War Z.

This village has an estimated population of fewer than 500 people, but it has a rather glamorous claim to fame. American actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are said to have stayed here - and Brad apparently popped into the local pub during the filming of World War Z.

And while visits from a Hollywood power couple, or one-time couple as they are now separated, might be exciting, the village of Ickham is rather special without the glitz and glamour. It is no stranger to appearing on lists lauding great places to live.

It has now been rated one of the "10 prettiest villages in Kent" by the Daily Telegraph, with some of its stand-out features being mentioned. These included the "charming gabled and clapboard cottages", the 13th century St John the Evangelist Church, and the fields and meadows "criss-crossed by the Little Stour and Wingham chalk streams".

It's got a great pub, The Duke William, which is looking very Christmassy with its decorations and lights, including twinkling reindeers. It's great for a visit at this time of the year as it's cosy inside with a roaring log fire, perfect for lunch after a country walk.

You can also stay there as it has four rooms, described by the Daily Telegraph as "snug and stylish" and where you'll find "dyed-in-the-wool locals" with a pint at the bar, with dogs at their feet. While venues being dog-friendly is welcomed by many people who want to take their four-legged friend when they drink or dine, judging by the latest review on Tripadvisor, not everyone appreciates it. More on that a little later.

The St John the Evangelist Church set in a large, leafy churchyard is well worth a visit, and the photographer 'Jelltext' on Flickr, gave this charming description of the view: "There can be no mistaking the approach to St John, past a long row of timer store houses on the left, with the unKentish spire of the church rising above the yews."

And he said this about Ickham: "A stunningly pretty village, all Tudor, brick or clapboard houses, and the famous and picturesque quadruple oast overlooking the fields that lead down to the Little Stour."

Ickham is part of the parish of Ickham and Well and its parish council runs a lively, informative Facebook page bringing news of things such as litter picking, followed by refreshments at the pub; the new village sign; road closures; and a tasty breakfast and a "good ole fashioned chin wag" at the community hall.

The village also has a wonderful TOR Spa Retreat, which has gardens and a small lily lake. It describes itself as the UK's leading Ayurvedic health spa and as part of your stay, you can can have a home-cooked two-course vegetarian lunch; a swim; a Finnish sauna or time in the stone steam room. In a great bit of village 'cross-pollination', the spa guests can get 15 per cent off food and drink with neighbours, The Duke William.

House prices in Ickham are worth a look. For the past 12 months, there is no data for the average sold prices on Rightmove, but during the past two years, there were six properties sold. The most expensive was a detached five bedroom home at Ickham Court Farm, fetching £1,375,000. And not far behind that price tag was Post Office House in The Street, which sold in November 2022 at £1,300,000.

The four other homes ranged in price from £375,000 also in The Street, up to a flat at Ickham Oast House in The Street, fetching £960,000 in January last year. Ickham is fewer than six miles from Canterbury, and seven miles from Sandwich, so you have the best of city and coastal days out.

The Daily Telegraph sang the praises of the place: "Surrounded by fields and water meadows criss-crossed by the Little Stour and Wingham chalk streams, Ickham feels delightfully lost in the mists of time, despite being only 10 minutes’ drive from Canterbury. Ramblers will love the scenic circular trail linking Ickham with neighbouring Wickhambreux and Wingham."

And as for the Pitt and Jolie visit, the article says the couple with their children once stayed in Ickham, with "Pitt reportedly popping into the Duke William for a pint after long days spent on the set of World War Z".

The pub has four out of five stars on Tripadvisor from 680 reviews, with one from this month saying: "We like the new menu, especially the Jerusalem artichoke and goat's curd starter which is delicious. Ditto our old favourite the vegan cheeseburger and fries."

'Roaring log fire'

"There are so many things we like about the Duke William which is why we have dined there three times in recent weeks. Delights include the roaring log fire, beautiful garden with views across the fields and nearby oast houses, plus the friendliness of the staff. We also like the ease of parking."

But one reviewer, who still gave the pub three stars out of five, raised the issue of the "green welly brigade" with dogs "barking and roaming about". He said: "Horrible wet day so out to Ickham with friends for pub lunch . All a bit over the top the menu but what we had was fine.

"Plenty of atmosphere as a Christmas market was in full swing . As for our lunch, spoilt by dogs barking and roaming about. I am sure the dogs would have been much happier at home. Why on earth people drag their mutts out to to quality restaurants beggars belief. Will not go again!"

You can find out more here about the spa, and to find out more about the Duke William, including accommodation, visit here.