The tiny place where the name has made many a passer-by smile, even if residents may have grown weary of the joke.
It’s hard to skirt around the unique moniker of this quaint UK village without sparking a few chuckles. Visitors can’t help but chuckle at its amusing name, though locals probably feel a pang of fatigue from the continuous jokes.
Yet, those who drop by Lynsore Bottom can’t resist snapping a pic beside the town’s signpost. The settlement of Lynsore Bottom itself is comprised of period buildings nestled between fields and trees.
Should your heart desire the solitude of the backcountry, this lovely little hamlet is your quintessential destination. Approaching Lynsore Bottom in Upper Hardres via Pett Bottom Road you will be met with rural idyll fields stretching wide on one side and woods on the other.
Veering left down the fork will steer you directly into this secluded enclave, just a stone’s throw from Pett Bottom, which brags its own brush with fame. None other than Ian Flemings illustrious James Bond resided here with his aunt following his parents’ deaths, reports Kent Live.
It’s no coincidence, as Fleming used to be a customer of the local pub in Pett Bottom, which was built in 1623. Previously called the Woodman’s Arms, it first sold beer in 1849 and changed its name to the Duck Inn, and is now simply The Duck.
Once past the much-photographed Lynsore Bottom village sign, there’s lovely stone cottages, and a little way on, to the left, you will have the treat of the most breathtaking view of the cluster of properties.
There’s an oast house, a thatched roof, and if you’re lucky at this time of the year, the gently upward twirling smoke from a chimney. It’s a wonderful sight which can’t have changed for centuries.
Property portal Zoopla has clocked the average selling price of homes in Lynsore Bottom, which is under 10 miles from Canterbury, at a hefty £1,125,000 over the last year.
But the eye-watering price tag is because according to the site, only one home was sold during the past year for that price.
There is also the Lynsore Bottom site of special scientific interest, known as SSSIs. It’s around 174 acres with a variety of trees, including oak, hornbeam, ash maple and sweet chestnut.
‘Walk from a great pub’
The flora is diverse, making it a vital breeding ground for birds. Meander along the public footpaths and you might spot tawny owls (a rare daylight sighting), grasshopper warblers, and hawfinches.
For those itching to explore and fancy a pint, Ashford Area Country Walks offers a delightful 5.8-mile trek starting from Stelling Minnis, winding through “the beautiful hamlet of Lynsore Bottom”.
The journey kicks off at the much-loved Rose and Crown pub in Crown Lane, which boasts an impressive 4.5 stars out of five from 177 reviews on Tripadvisor. The route then leads you to Bossingham village, through Lynsore Bottom, and circles back via Cherry Garden Farm.
Perched on the slopes above Lynsore Bottom is the charming Little Bursted Vineyard, established in spring 2022 by Sarah Crossfield and Tim Sarson. They’ve recently celebrated their “miniature harvest”, a quaint non-commercial endeavour before they kick things off in earnest.
They’re set to produce about 80L of their own “home brew” wine, featuring grapes like Meunier and Melon B. A peek at the Little Bursted Instagram page offers a delightful and witty glimpse into their adventure, which began in 2020 with the purchase of two plots.
Dive deeper into their story on their website here.
While KentLive hit a dead end trying to uncover the origins of the name Lynsore Bottom, it’s noted that ‘bottom’ often refers to the lower part of a valley, and ‘lynn’ might signify a body of water.