Kemsing - Least Used Station in Kent

[@markstamp3937]

what did Martin say?

[@blocklandrunner7726]

the world may never know

[@Itsjustesh]

But Why???

[@AlexHM93]

@@geofftech2 what about an unlisted uncut version of what Martin said

[@TheNixie1972]

@@AlexHM93 yes! Age restricted and demonetized, but we have to know!

[@cerealport2726]

pretty sure it was "pug dealer", you know, those people who sell dogs... or something that sounds very similar, also involving the selling of things.

[@stmisbehavin662]

I'm just going to mention that they ought to have a train going from Kemsing to Kemsley. They could call it Kemslink.

[@Need1738]

And use pacers

[@Wildcard71]

It would have to go via Ramsgate.

[@Synnystershy]

6:58 Just imagine getting home after shift at work. You're tired, groggy and just want to relax. You sit down on your sofa, get your laptop turn on KZbin. You get a recommendation for a video about your local railway station and think "oo that looks interesting" only to realize Geoff just had a pop at you from the footbridge.

[@JoeDobisz]

In regards to swale, and probably other least used stations, they have probably suffered the "Marshall effect" where Geoff visits and then the rest of us do 🤣

[@engineeringvision9507]

I had that happen to me. First Geoff went to London Waterloo, and then I did too 😀

[@paveladamek3502]

@@engineeringvision9507Don’t you just love it when you understand/get a wholesome joke slash reference? Made my day.

[@dikmorling4112]

Kemmsing is a great starting point for a walk along the North Downs / Pilgrim's Way! Head north out of the station and up the escarpment for some great views. Also a great starting point for cycling along the quiet lanes in the area. I hope lots of people take up my recommendation this coming summer. Then you will have a new least used station to visit next year!

[@CloudmasterGaming]

Glad to see Geoff doing least used stations again! My favourite series.

[@alexander92179]

Before he started 'End of the line', I would have agreed with you..

[@ShoummaShams]

Hearing that intro always gives me a "nostalgia" hit to when I first came across the channel through this series

[@sambarton5963]

Re: Swale. I feel like a new series of least used station follow-ups would be brilliant, where we can revisit former LU stations and explore how they've improved passenger numbers!

[@TheNixie1972]

Or closed.

[@NetworkX90]

Longcross (Surrey) would be a really good example for that, since its passenger numbers have more than tripled due to new housing and an improved service frequency.

[@AaronOfMpls]

@@TheNixie1972 Like I imagine Redcar British Steel will stay closed until the site gets redeveloped enough.

[@jeffsuter344]

BERNEY ARMS?

[@CSFX1220]

I used to live down the road from Kemsing. Quite surprising it’s so quiet as stated as it has quite a large housing area nearby and a relatively affluent area where you’d expect some London commuters. Thanks for the video Geoff. Merry Christmas

[@paintedpilgrim]

I think that could be down to the one train per hour, and the better service from the likes of Bat and Ball which seems to be an equal distance away

[@MrSmith1984]

@@paintedpilgrim It's no coincidence that rail demand often dramatically rises if you offer a decent frequency of trains.

[@ATH_Berkshire]

@@paintedpilgrim Looking on a map Otford looks to have a decent sized car park and for a lot of people living in Kemsing is with in 2min of the same drive. Neither station is sensibly walkable for most people.

[@btuckervideos4705]

Martin's clearly not a fan of Kemsing, but 6 years ago he did have a Swale of a time

[@bradw8102]

Lived in Maidstone for 5 years and never used Kemsing despite living on the same line, but it is in a relatively scenic area, and on the approach from the east you can often see deer in the nearby fields

[@FouiAnimations]

3 videos of Geoff uploaded in less than a week. A dream ❤️

[@Electricfox]

The first house I lived in after I was born was just up the line from Kemsing at a place called Noahs Ark (yes, really), one of my earliest memories is my Dad lifting me up so I could see the trains going past, there was an electricity substation just nearby, and I remember that quite clearly because it intrigued me. We also occasionally got the Orient Express come past, and that was always a treat.

[@paulkitson390]

I was a Castle Drive baby/toddler myself 👍

[@Electricfox]

@@paulkitson390 Awesome, I had a friend who lived down Childsbridge lane, by the railway line.

[@britbdog9136]

I'm from fairfield noahs ark.

[@andymartin6457]

I'm so glad Kemsing became the least used station in Kent as I drive through Kemsing quite often (never been to the station though!) and that led me to this video; I then quickly became addicted to all the Least Used Stations, End of the Line and everything else Geoff does (Least Used Station London Waterloo is a classic!). I live on the scenic Swanley to Sevenoaks line and since subscribing to this channel, I can't help measuring the stations with my feet and I now know where every litter bin is!

[@7footalex602]

Swale might have increased because it is the nearest train station to the Kent Speedway track, formerly in Sittingbourne, Kent Speedway moved to Iwade (not far from Swale station) in 2021

[@davidbunyan8654]

Ah! that's why we no longer hear the annoying sound of racing motorbikes where we live in Murston

[@jaymanlamb7]

I work for Rovic Tiles in office right next to where you were standing. Thanks for the plug 😀 oh and I live on the same train line and still drive into work just incase the train decides not to stop there!

[@alanwilliams9622]

As several people say, Otford is easier to walk or drive to for many who live in Kemsing. Otford station also has a brilliant and friendly, independent coffee kiosk on platform 1 (or tea if you prefer... 😉 open till 1pm) and a waiting room in case of rain ... as well as a historic village centre just a 5 minute walk down Station Road (with the remains of a Tudor Palace) and several other places to get tea... (or coffee, or...). Do check them out!

[@groundhopperd8608]

Just discovered your Least Used Stations series and it’s a delightful watch & lovely to see all these little places in the country where I grew up. Thanks Geoff! 😊

[@geofftech2]

Welcome aboard! There’s a whole playlist for you to enjoy with them all in … think I’ve done about 50 now!!

[@groundhopperd8608]

@@geofftech2 Well, that’s my evening sorted! 😊

[@PaddyWV]

I remember when that was all fields. The nearest Hamlet is Heaverham, turn left out of the South exit. Left again at the end and you'll find a pub called Chequers. The Station had tiny little prefabricated buildings once and a longer time back Sidings on the South Side.(Glad you found them) In the 1980's it was cheaper (as a teenager) to jump on a train ftom Kemsing to Maidstone than it was to take a bus into Sevenoaks.

[@duncancurtis5971]

Getting off at Barming then walking up Hermitage Lane, cutting off towards Giddyhorn and Oakwood Park?

[@PaddyWV]

@@duncancurtis5971 Not in those years. Later on I'd travel up from Tonbridge via Paddock Wood and often get off early to walk along by the river.

[@roomullan3050]

I lived in Kemsing in the 80s. Can’t believe they allowed all that building 🥲🥲🥲

[@richmayes8451]

I believe that people from the village of Iwade are now using Swale as their closest station, where I would say Kemsley (Not Kemsing!!!) is almost the same distance away and is easier to park. A few weeks ago, while I was travelling to Queenborough, I could not help but overhear a woman calling someone to pick them up from Swale.

[@jamesnegus83]

Spot on. For commuters there is a better chance of a seat getting on at Swale than there is by jumping on at Kemsley or Sittingbourne.

[@dinotahirovic675]

I like the dosed usage of drone footage. Great videos, Geoff!

[@OfficiallyCharles]

Geoff, your videos never fail to entertain me, keep it up!

[@jameswarner5809]

When I was a kid (over forty years ago) we used to go for weekend country walks in the area and Kemsing was one of the stations we used (along with Shoreham and Otford).

[@Chris20xx]

I was just watching the Swale video when this video popped up! I'm a new subscriber and i've been watching through all the "least used" videos playlist, what a coincidence!

[@hojomoone]

Thanks for the memories Geoff! I used to pass through Kemsing every day on the commute from Maidstone East to Victoria - doesn't look as though I missed much, but Well Done on the Goods Yard find 😊

[@pauldanon]

On these winter-shoots, you're always so pleased when you see them able to get the train home.

[@andrewmurray5542]

Yes, it's a lovely feeling, isn't it?

[@paveladamek3502]

I swear this channel’s guest appearances is like the who’s who of the nicest people in the country.

[@stephenholt4670]

There are some beautiful walks around that area, up and down the North Downs. If it wasn't raining (or you didn't mind getting wet) you could have had a lovely hike from Otford to Kemsing.

[@thebighon6854]

Nice to hear my local station being announced on the train!

[@farmersteve129]

It's worth remembering that although a wheelchair features in the accessible parking space symbol that blue badge parking permits are provided for all manner of conditions in addition to the need to use a wheelchair.

[@itsjoel]

My Porsche specialist happens to be on the industrial estate that Kemsing serves. Proved extremely convenient when I had to go and pick a car up once!

[@Sim0nTrains]

Never heard of Kemsing till today! To be honest I do need to visit Kent a lot more. Great video Geoff.

[@keithterry2169]

Many people who live in Kent have no idea where either of these places are. I have travelled to each of them by road but never by rail.

[@Alice-vm4sn]

Lived in Kemsing for 15 years and never used the station - so this checks out! The station is unwalkable from where most people live in the village. Used Otford, Sevenoaks, or to reduce the train fare to London in half Orpington to get places

[@MarkyBoy62]

Geoff, i work for TFL Publicity; Formally London Transport Advertising,we post the timetables in the bus stops all over london, but i have to drive to the industrial estate next to kemsing station to pick up the work.

[@GreenJimll]

Aren't TfL up for paying for the train fare then? 🙂

[@MarkyBoy62]

@@GreenJimll I’ve worked for London Transport/TFL for 32 years, and I don’t get sense out of them, they moved us from Stockwell Garage to Kemsing, saying it will save Money, (How?), having to drive to Kemsing then sit in Traffic getting back to London is a real pain.

[@jsimmo52]

Mark: On GOOGLE Earth, just noticed there is a pin for the "Historic Collection London Ambulance" museum in that small industrial estate.

[@MarkyBoy62]

@@jsimmo52 I’ve not noticed it

[@lesliegprice6652]

Merry Christmas and happy New year's wishes to you Geoff , enjoying all the variety of content but especially the Elizabeth Line , keep them coming , see you in 2023, cheers 🌈👍⛄🎅❄️

[@xenon53827]

6:30 See the hut and all that land over the fence on the left? That was the goods yard. Still a few artefacts around in there. Mind you, I was born in Kemsing! The nearest station to the village is Otford!

[@andrewbish9712]

Kemsing Station is in a location just below the North Downs, and near the Hamlet of Heverham, which is all surrounded by the St Clere Estate. The main reason the Station has survived the axe is the wealthy locals who do travel to the city on the odd occasion. The old Goods yard is owned by a local chap . It may be a quite station but it’s in a beautiful part of the of Kent garden of England.

[@englishmaninmarktredwitz2228]

Wiki says the goods yard had 6 sidings and a goods shed! Closed 1960. Perhaps more was going on there back in the day! Loved the video.

[@roderickjoyce6716]

There would have been a lot of seasonal agricultural produce, and probably incoming house coal as well. I once saw a BR poster advertising farm removals by train; I think probably dating to the early or mid-1950s.

[@TheKatyd123]

Love this...Actually knew Geoff as a kid..his mum and mine studied accountancy at NESCOT Lol...well done Geoff!!

[@MrAsBBB]

Happy New Year Geoff. Thank you so much for all the brilliant content you give us. Just love it. I have several friends who just love what you do. Thanks for 2022 looking forward to 2023. Much love

[@cameronc393]

A moment of appreciation for the tune at @0:47

[@XaviMacBash]

I have a theory on swale, if you live on the isle of Sheppey outside of Sheerness then your closest public transit is probably the 334 bus, Swale is the first railway station heading south where there is a bus stop right next to it so you can get off the bus and onto a connecting train. If this is true then I propose a re-naming to Swale Interchange.

[@mattkirk2482]

I love kemsing. As a Bromley resident it's great for a day out. Long long walk to the village

[@stephentuckfield4425]

Thanks for the great videos this year and merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

[@maecarpenter69]

You were in my area again, how'd I miss you, damn it. Great video, thanks!

[@dudey505]

No new development around Swale station recently, so the uptick in passengers is a bit puzzling. As someone else has already said, the Kingsferry bridge has had two separate film/TV productions filming there, including a big stunt for Jason Statham movie. Best guess is crew and onlookers may have been travelling to Swale for it

[@jamesnegus83]

Plenty of homes being built in Iwade and surrounding area. Give it another 10 years and I can foresee Swale getting a waiting shelter at least.

[@Nooticus]

Thank you for so much great content recently. Happy Christmas to you and family Geoff!

[@MrGreatplum]

Some great banter to enliven what is a pretty non-descript station 👍🏻

[@ACELog]

Only Geoff could make a dreary, cold day be amusing!

[@travelswithjess]

Fantastic video Geoff as always!

[@nicrose8436]

I used to play here all the time when I was young, the house that's there in front of the industrial estate was my Nan's. Have so many great memories of playing in the area!

[@HenrysAdventures]

Always enjoy a Least Used Station video! Happy New Year Geoff!

[@benjaminramsay8730]

Was waiting for this. Saw the stats changed a while back

[@thekentishtrainspotter3052]

A station round the corner from me! Went trainspotting their for 2 hours in January on peak and saw absolutely no one, I love it tho because it’s peaceful to trainspot at but it definitely feels lonely

[@ricktownend9144]

I think the goods sidings may give the reason for Kemsing station being built where it is - in a rather inconvenient location for the village itself. I read somewhere that milk was an important transport commodity for the early railways, so country stations were placed so as to be convenient for all the farms in an area (delivering milk by horse & cart to the station, for transport to London, where there were not many cows).

[@nexauu]

I live in milton, a parish of sittingbourne and yeah uh there's nothing new in swale. the bridge is still there and the mills and knauf building is still close to kemsley station so other than the nearby village of iwade which is closer to kemsley, there has not been new development so idk about that one

[@a11oge]

Least used stataions is back - all is right with the world - and just hearing that music 👌

[@dylanwilliams742]

There is some nice murals that have been painted on the platform at Swale, clearly attracting the numbers!

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

Oh Geoff! I've just realised that the Go2 bus app would've worked where you are! You could've gone on the weird bus/taxi things!

[@michellebell5092]

It’s always fascinating why there is always so much to say about least used stations. Happy Christmas Geoff and Martin too 🎄🥂👍

[@Joanna-il2ur]

Kemsing is a really nice place, with a fab pond. When I was a girl, we lived in Borough Green, which is next station down the line.

[@matthewfazio8476]

How many more least used station videos are you planning on making? Would love to see more. These are by far my favourite videos!! Hello from Australia!

[@Byl_morocco]

Loving the Geoff video frequency!

[@jtsholtod.79]

It feels like Geoffcember! Merry moquette, everyone!

[@tomhousdenactor]

I was on the Maidstone the train after you made this video!

[@Rekowagen]

Did I miss the "bin bag blowing in the wind"-shot or were there no litter bins?

[@MyLifeAsIsaac]

Wow, wasn’t expecting another video as you uploaded one yesterday at selhurst. At least, it’s a least used station video. Nice 👍

[@Tube-Shots]

super star Geoff, do you know how good you are, videos so pro, guests spot on, info so precise, facts on point, life goes on my man

[@chekiechekie]

I live in Sevenoaks, and have never ever been to Kemsing, let alone go to the railway station. Come to think of it, i've never been to Otford or Bat'n'Ball railway station... such is the convenience of the car which is both quicker and cheaper to get to Otford than getting a slow train from Sevenoaks Station. I reckon the people who live in Kemsing actually go out to Otford Station instead.. seems far more logical, and probably easier to walk there too.

[@kiles99]

My favourite of Geoff's series, along with the new End of the Line series. Still none the wiser though as to whether there are bin bags provided to blow in the breeze at Kemsing!

[@aldertravels]

Nice to see my local area being covered!

[@GuyChapman]

I hadn't spotted that Park Street is a least-used. I grew up in Park Street, my friend Eddie Knorn's house backed onto the Abbey Flyer line. Years later, he bought a class 101 and had it in his garden - it was ion the papers because the council made him move it, but villagers liked it because it caused drivers to slow down.

[@Firthy2002]

I've been to Otford many years ago. Nice part of the country.

[@i69420]

Sterling, VA USA has some street names named after tube stations like Regents Park, Paddington, Victoria, Tottenham Court, Holborn, Ruislip Manor, Turnham Green, Willesden Junction, Brondesbury Park, Wembley Central, Tottenham Hale, Ladbroke Grove, Brixton, and Poplar all in one town.

[@michaelcampin1464]

West Malling caused me problems when I was snowed in for a week at West Malling no chance of getting to the Station at all.

[@Electricfox]

The snow back in the late 1980s/early 1990s was epic. We were lucky that we had a Land Rover at the time.

[@michaelcampin1464]

@@Electricfox u could see the trains running but the only way was down the hill then up but the snow was just too deep i think at the pub level is was 20 ft so we were stuck.

[@jordanshand2221]

You would be right with Swale, housing in that area has gone up a lot about 4-5 new housing estates in the local area to there now

[@DannStephen]

My train to and from Victoria each morning stops at Kemsing and most days at least one person alights and one boards. This is typical for all the rush hour trains.

[@dirtywaterpj_dj]

I’m from North Kent and I’ve never heard of Kemsing before.

[@aventr4YT]

Hey Geoff, I have been a fan of you for a long time and I wanted to request for you to review a station called Doncaster in South Yorkshire.

[@allanmorton6022]

Loved all your videos this year Geoff. Merry Christmas and hope you have a great 2023! Allan.

[@michaeljohnson9421]

Seeing it on the map reminds me that I've always wanted to visit Bat & Ball station....just because it's called Bat & Ball. I assume it's named after a pub - like quite a few stations around the network. There's an idea for a video series there!

[@pj100565]

I’m pretty certain that there’s no Sunday service at Kemsing. I’m a conductor on that route and it’s the last station before Victoria that needs conductor train dispatch. I can see I’ll need to make special announcements to boost trade at Kemsing!

[@adriantayler1868]

Can't imagine why Swale is on the up. There is some industry round Ridham Dock, but that's half a mile away, along a road marked "Private - no pedestrian access". Caught the train there once. The only facility at Swale was a rusted, out of service ticket machine.

[@adriantayler1868]

On second thoughts, the traffic in Sittingbourne can be terrible. Maybe some commuters get dropped off there to catch a train to work in London or wherever, rather than struggle in the car to Sittingbourne station.

[@VascoRoblox-yp5rw]

10:06 😂😂😂😂😂 I was laughing to death when I first heard the bleep and still do to this day 😂😂😂

[@melodydunn1]

My grandson says that Snowdown in Dover is the least used station in Kent now

[@geofftech2]

yes, i keep meaning to go there !!!

[@wwenascar2024]

Hey Geoff, Here is a idea. If you need to bleep something out in the future use a train horn, it would fit better.

[@jamesnegus83]

Swale station figures rising....Iwade is the nearest housing developments and there is loads and loads of new houses being built in the area. If you look on a map for Iwade junction off A249 there are thousands being built either side of A249. Sittingbourne itself is expanding rapidly with thousands of new homes being built and advertised to the London commuters too. House prices are still rising steadily as commuters and portfolio types snap them up even before they are finished being built.

[@skipsgolden79]

Also there is nothing at swale still but I think because of the free parking people are driving from the Sheppy parking up and commuting that’s all I can think of. Could be the nature reserve though with the twitchers

[@TylerGherkinGregory]

I live 5 minutes from Swale Station. Lots of Hollywood filming has been happening on the bridge close by, which might of been a factor for the up in passengers!

[@wendybrown5935]

Pls try and go to wrotham it's such a lovely village and make sure you walk round all of the roads near the church and go into the village store, lots of yummy stuff! Great vid ☺☺☺

[@grahamhenderson5609]

Nearly went to Kemsing in 2020 as London Ambulances Historic fleet are kept on the industrial estate, I noted that Kemsing has no services on Sunday so we booked free tickets for Saturday but the event was cancelled due to the Covid Pandemic.

[@SuperAnglocelt]

Did you know something weird about Bat and Ball station which you would gone through had you carried on the Thameslink service to Sevenoaks instead of changing at Otford. Its owned and operated by South Eastern even though no South Eastern trains stop there only Thameslink. Could it be because its between Otford and Sevenoaks- definitely South Eastern stations.

[@SuperAnglocelt]

I wonder if South Eastern run a ghost " parliamentary " train to keep its rights to Thameslink serviced Bat and Ball station.

[@RichardWinskill]

I feel like your journey to the station goes some way to explaining why no one uses it ;)

[@finlaymorrison1347]

finally back with the drone shots

[@ivorwhitecar]

It does get busier when there a steam loco running through! I used to go there to get photos of them.

[@christown2827]

Great views for miles on the hills above the village towards Sevenoaks, Wrotham and other places if you walked there.

[@robbiemorrison7085]

One reason why it’s gone up Geoff, is because people have seen your Swale video and wanted to up the stats!

[@JBMtravels]

When are you doing a video of class 197 & 231 Transport for Wales as I can't wait for your opinion on them. Also noticed there are new trains on west midlands railway, class 196 I believe. Can't wait

[@MsLancer99]

Well this some nice views from the stairs crossover

[@tmongertm]

I live there. I'm not surprised that it's the least used station, there's only a few houses nearby and it only really serves the small industrial estate. There's also no pavement access in any direction either and the train links are poor. Most people from Kemsing walk to Otford station.

[@Ibis117]

I used to try and spot (they were often hidden amongst bushes and graffiti) the many bridge markers on the way into Bank on the DLR. (I know they "belong" to C2C, but I wasn't on that)