[4] Indeed local legend has it the large chalk foundation stones of the Palace of Ula can be seen in the cellar of Flint Cottage.

[6] The discovery of hundreds of Neolithic hand axes, scrapers and worked flints at Dreal's Farm on the chalk plateau to the east of the village is the earliest evidence of human activity in the parish.

[8] There is also a cluster of Bronze Age tumuli in Elham Park Wood and there is a further tumulus on the hillcrest between Ottinge and Rhodes Minnis.

[8] St Mary's Church [1] dates from about 1200 whilst the Abbot's Fireside Restaurant on the high street is of Stuart origin (built in 1641).

Local legend has it King Charles 1st hid from the Roundheads behind the big fireplace following his escape from Hampton Court during his attempt to get to France in 1647/48.

The parish is very large for such a small settlement, stretching to the edge of Lyminge in the south, to the hamlet of Breach in the north and east to Acrise and west to Stelling Minnis.

Although no longer a standalone Post Office in the village, a small franchise operates in the King's Arms pub a few mornings a week.

Similar to many other villages in the UK there is a shortage of social housing but there is no obvious sign of real demand.

Improvements in agriculture and the decline of local businesses has resulted in fewer employment opportunities within the village than there were in the early 20th century.

These sites often support many typical chalk downland species such as Common Milkwort (Polygala vulgaris), Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis) and Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor) as well as orchids such as Fragrant (Gymnadenia conopsea), Common Spotted (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) and Pyramidal (Anacamptis pyramidalis).

Park Gate Down nature reserve is situated within the parish and is well known for its extensive downland flora.

[14] Prime Minister Anthony Eden lived at Park Gate just north-west of Elham during the Second World War.