[3] Farming was common in the area until the 1960s especially of hops and fruit orchards, and some of this activity remains today including the East Malling Research Station.

After World War II, Malling Rural District Council developed the Step Stile and Clare Park housing estates.

The ragstone church[4] is dedicated to St James the Great, and forms part of a Conservation Area on the High Street.

Much of the location filming for the 1960s BBC comedy programme "Mr Pastry" took place in the countryside around East Malling.

Richard Hearne who starred had lived in a neighbouring village, St Mary Platt, and knew the area well.