Istead Rise, Cobham & Luddesdown

Istead Rise is a residential area primarily developed during the 1960s and 1970s, characterised by its housing estates and cul-de-sacs. The layout is centred around a local parade of shops serving the community's daily needs. A notable feature is the presence of the 'Danes', a series of large, ancient earthwork ditches that cross the area, remnants of a medieval settlement boundary. These green, wooded banks provide pockets of open space amidst the homes.

The ward extends into the surrounding North Downs countryside, encompassing the smaller settlements of Cobham and Luddesdown. This rural portion is dominated by agricultural land, scattered farms, and historic buildings. Cobham is known for its medieval church and almshouses, while Luddesdown contains one of Kent's oldest manor houses. The area is traversed by the Pilgrims' Way, the ancient trackway following the Downs.