Kemsing - Least Used Station in Kent

Kent has a new Least Used Station! With the new ORR stats out for the 2021-2022 period just been released, there were some changes including that Kent's least used station is no longer Swale - it's now Kemsing! So I met up with Martin again, and we took a trip on SouthEastern ...
I've updated the Least Used Station Map for 2022 and you can downlad that here: geofftech.co.uk/downloads.html
The ORR Estimates of Station Usage are here: dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statist...

[@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.

[@DarwinPlayROBoLX231]

We went to the class 377 and we just go on the bus

[@Need1738]

And use pacers

[@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.

[@Zenith_95]

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.

[@btuckervideos4705]

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

[@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!

[@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?

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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 🥲🥲🥲

[@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!

[@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.

[@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?

[@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!

[@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).

[@FouiAnimations]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@77jazzbass]

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? 🙂

[@77jazzbass]

@@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.

[@77jazzbass]

@@jsimmo52 I’ve not noticed it

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@MrGreatplum]

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

[@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.

[@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! 😊

[@thebighon6854]

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

[@Nooticus]

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

[@travelswithjess]

Fantastic video Geoff as always!

[@stephentuckfield4425]

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

[@OfficiallyCharles]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@dinotahirovic675]

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

[@HenrysAdventures]

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

[@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 🌈👍⛄🎅❄️

[@benjaminramsay8730]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@ballsinspector]

i said a few months ago on one of your videos that swale wasnt the least used station in kent anymore, glad you've got around to do the new least used station in kent.

[@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.

[@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!

[@michellebell5092]

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

[@ACELog]

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

[@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 😊

[@mattkirk2482]

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

[@maecarpenter69]

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

[@MyLifeAsIsaac]

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

[@dirtywaterpj_dj]

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

[@aldertravels]

Nice to see my local area being covered!

[@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.

[@cameronc393]

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

[@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).

[@jtsholtod.79]

It feels like Geoffcember! Merry moquette, everyone!

[@jamesabbott5242]

Awesome video Geoff

[@Byl_morocco]

Loving the Geoff video frequency!

[@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.

[@dylanwilliams742]

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

[@TheKatyd123]

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

[@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.

[@Rekowagen]

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

[@a11oge]

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

[@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.

[@Captain_K787]

Have used Kemsing a couple of times this last year. Delivered vehicles to a business in the Industrial estate 🙂

[@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

[@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.

[@ivorwhitecar]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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 ☺☺☺

[@DJSOfficialUK]

Another good video Geoff, I have no idea how the stats have raised around Swale as thought that station would never have increased in numbers and was expecting it still to remain forever until housing development happening around there for passenger numbers to grow instead of staying & remaining the same stats. Only other explanation is that viewers have seen your video and since that video they have increased the numbers? But apart from this? Haven't got a clue? But cheers for an update, enjoyed and look forward in future seeing more videos like this. 😀👍

[@chriskrebill1842]

OMG I was litterally just looking at Swale last week for a story I'm writing and when I saw the bridge in your flash back! Omg that's awesome! So crazy!

[@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

[@finlaymorrison1347]

finally back with the drone shots

[@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.

[@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!

[@Firthy2002]

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

[@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.

[@MsLancer99]

Well this some nice views from the stairs crossover

[@christown2827]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Presentation Level 1000: Geoff has Tape and A4 Ready to show the camera a graph.

[@SK_3PT1]

even sharpies too lol

[@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

[@RichardWinskill]

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

[@darthmarticusLFC]

Pretty surreal seeing you talk about Swale

[@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

[@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

[@andrewmagnusthegreatesttra1230]

Awesome video

[@Kent-trucker]

Geoff ta for all the excellent hd videos, maybe consider a visit on opening day to Thanet Parkway station (its a station with no staff) Probably be for the new housing estates that are being built here and handy if manston airport reopens.

[@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.