Harrietsham, Lenham & North Downs

Harrietsham, Lenham & North Downs ward encompasses a large rural area on the eastern edge of the Maidstone borough. The landscape is dominated by the chalk escarpment of the North Downs, with expansive agricultural fields and pockets of ancient woodland. Settlements are primarily villages, with Lenham serving as a central hub with its historic market square. The area is defined by its working countryside and the significant transport corridors of the M20 and main railway line that traverse it.

The Pilgrims' Way, an ancient trackway along the Downs, passes through the ward, linking its historical character. Agriculture remains a key part of the local economy, shaping the open views and land use. Community life is focused around the individual villages and their local facilities. The geography creates a distinct separation from the more urban western parts of Maidstone, maintaining a strongly pastoral identity.