Loose, Kent

Loose
Loose Location within Kent
Population	2,277 (2011 census, including Boughton Green)[1]
OS grid reference	TQ758519
• London	34 miles (55 km) NW
District	Maidstone
Shire county	Kent
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	MAIDSTONE
Postcode district	ME15
Dialling code	01622
Police	Kent
Fire	Kent
Ambulance	South East Coast
UK Parliament	Maidstone and the Weald
List of places UK England Kent 51°14′27″N 0°30′59″E / 51.2408°N 0.5164°E / 51.2408; 0.5164

Loose /ˈluːz/ is a village some 2 miles (3 km) south of Maidstone, Kent, situated at the head of the Loose Valley, with which it forms the Loose Valley Conservation Area. The fast- flowing River Loose which rises near Langley runs through the centre of the village and once supported a paper-making industry, evidence of which can still be found. An area round the village is also known as Loose, but Loose village itself is based in the Loose valley and extends along Busbridge Road towards Tovil. The name is believed to be taken from the Loose Stream, which "loses" itself for several miles underground from the point where it rises in Langley (Edward Hasted: Hlosan in Saxon, signifying to lose or be lost).