River Len

Len
Kent rivers, showing the Len.
Map
Location
CountryEngland
RegionKent
DistrictMaidstone
Physical characteristics
SourceBluebell Woods near Platt's Heath in Kent
 • locationMaidstone, England
Mouthjoins River Medway
Length16 km (9.9 mi)
Discharge 
 • locationMaidstone
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftThe Fair Bourne, Leeds Stream
 • rightSelesbourne, Holingbourne Stream or Snagbrook, Bearsted Stream
River Len mills
River Len
The Fair Bourne
Selesbourne
Fairbourne Mill
Stede Street Mill
Polhill Mill
Chegworth Mill
The Mille
Le Mille
Snag Brook
Leeds Castle Mill
Manor Mill
Keepers Cottage Mill
Eyhorne Mill
Grove Mill
Priory Mill
Park Mill
Abbey Mill
Leeds Stream
Le Nethertoune Mill
Old Mill
Bearstead Stream
Brandescombe Mill
Aldington Mill
Thurnham (Ballards) Mill
Lower Milgate Mill
Thurnham Mill
Otham Mill
Otham Paper Mill
Poll Mill
Turkey Mill
Christian's Mill
Padsole Mill
Church Mill
Lower Church Mill
River Medway

The River Len is a river in Kent, England. It rises at a spring in Bluebell Woods[1] to the southeast of the village centre of Lenham 0.6 miles (0.97 km) from the source of the River Great Stour; both rise on the Greensand Ridge. Its length is c10 miles (16 km). It enters the River Medway at Maidstone.

The river flows in a generally westerly direction. Today it runs parallel with the M20 motorway for much of the first part of its journey: it passes between the hamlet of Fairbourne Heath and Harrietsham; after Broomfield, the river becomes the lake adjoining Leeds Castle. The Len enters the town of Maidstone south of Bearsted and its waters become the lake in Mote Park; and it enters the River Medway c1.25 miles (2.01 km) beyond.[2]

The river powered a number of watermills on itself and its tributaries in the parishes of Ulcombe, Leeds, Hollingbourne, Boxley and Maidstone.

  1. ^ Goodsall, Robert H. (1957). "Watermills on the River Len". Archaeologia Cantiana. LXXI. Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society: 106–129. Open access icon
  2. ^ Notes on the river: British History Online