CAPEL HISTORY TRAIL 

No. 1 - The Village Green

The History Trail starts at the centre of our village on the Green itself. It was not until around the 1850s that Five Oak Green, where most of the shops and craftsmen were to be found, became the focus for settlement. By the 1880s one third of the parish's population was centred on it, and since that time almost all new industry and housing has been based in Five Oak Green. 

The Railway Line

Building of the Tonbridge to Ashford line of the South Eastern Railway, which opened in 1842, cut straight across the parish. Tithe maps of the period suggest that the original 'green' of Five Oak Green, occupying a triangle of land roughly between and to the west of the Moat Farm approach road and Whetsted Road, was destroyed in the process and moved to its current position. It is difficult now to imagine the enormous upheaval this must have caused, not least because of the influx of scores of navvies (labourers from Ireland) who were billeted in Five Oak Green to carry out the work. 

Decline of Five Oak Green as a Commercial Centre

But, unlike neighbouring Paddock Wood, Five Oak Green's commercial life declined towards the end of the 19th century, and by the Second World War the parish had ceased to be a self-supporting community. Gone, or very soon to go, were the wheelwrights, thatchers, blacksmiths, butcher, bakers, confectioners, drapers, shoemakers, tailor, builders and carpenters. It is hard now to believe that there were once five grocers in the parish, and we feel fortunate still to have the Post Office Stores on the green.

Follow the History Trail to see how the buildings around Five Oak Green housed these various businesses and discover the people that owned and ran them.

Take a while to enjoy the images below - looking both out from and towards our village green -  taken over the last 120 years or so. 

PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND PAY ATTENTION AS YOU CROSS THE ROADS TO ENTER AND LEAVE THE GREEN.  

Today the bus shelter has only recently been replaced after a long period of absence. There are now two seats in memory of local people, two silver birch trees and a small garden. The village sign, designed by Mick Lamb, was erected in January 1991 and renovated in 2025. A time capsule was added in 2000. The Food Store has hosted various business over the years and is now Little Hoppers Animal Hospital.