Welcome to Capel History Group
Capel Hop Farming - Free Exhibition
12th - 20th September - open daily 10am to 4pm
As part of the English Heritage Weekend events, Capel History Group is holding a free exhibition in St Thomas a Becket church to celebrate the rich heritage of hop farming in our parish. The exhibition will display over two hundred photos, maps and diagrams and explain where hops were grown and how they were picked and processed. The event also includes some of the implements used in the hop industry over the last century or so. A copy of the 1881 census will be available so you can discover who and where people lived in our parish then.
On the 12th-13th September refreshments will be available and members of the history group will be on hand to answer any questions.
We look forward to seeing you.
Our Latest History Book - Arriving Soon!
Planned for publication in late November, the latest addition to our 'Capel Explored' series offers another fascinating insight into the history of where we live. Articles include the history of fires and fire fighting in Capel, the local Scouts movement, how Capel celebrated and commemorated Royal events and interviews with local residents recalling their life in our parish. Costing just £10, we think it will make an ideal Christmas present for the local historian in your life. If you would like us to contact you when the book is released please fill in your details on this form: CE4 Interest Form
Our tree comes through the summer drought!
Our sponsored tree in Five Oak Green recreation ground was planted in March 2025 and has had a difficult baptism given the very warm and dry summers over that time. As the above photograph shows however, our choice of willow tree is proving hardy in its surroundings. Like all of us, a mild and relatively wet winter would be appreciated in the months ahead.
Who We Are
Capel History Group brings together Capel residents with an interest in the local history of the Parish. We use this website to publish the findings from our historical research about the area in which we live.
Want a quick update on Capel's history so far?
Click on the following link: A Brief History of Capel
As an alternative, why not take a virtual tour of some of the main sites around Five Oak Green and see what they looked like around 100 years ago while finding out a little more about each building. Just click on the link below to start your virtual tour of Five Oak Green
Five Oak Green History Trail virtual tour
The full version of many of the items on this website, along with pictures, appear in our three books, Capel Explored One, Two and Three, of which further information and how to buy a copy, can be found by clicking on this link Capel Explored
Where We Live
Capel is a hamlet and civil parish in the Tunbridge Wells district of Kent with a long involvement in hop and fruit farming and, from before then, the iron and charcoal industries.
The Parish is located on the North Weald, three miles to the east of Tonbridge. The southern part of the Parish lies within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, while most of the land also falls within the Metropolitan Green Belt. As well as Capel itself, the Parish includes the communities of Castle Hill, Colts Hill, Five Oak Green, Postern, Tudeley and Whetsted.
