Smarden is located on the River Beult, a tributary of the River Medway. As you can see it is a pretty village off "the beaten track" with numerous fine examples of timbered and thatched cottages and houses. The Church is known for having a grotesque figure inside the building rather than the more normal position, which is on the exterior as a gargoyle. It is possible that the creature thus depicted is pagan in origin and is also more typical of French churches than here in England. Because of its very wide nave St. Michael's is sometimes known as The Barn of Kent.

In the village is a public house built with Kentish clapboard by the name of The Chequers. The upper floor is meant to be haunted by the ghost of a soldier who was murdered for his purse. He can be heard pacing between two of the bedrooms.

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