The Fountain, is an historic building - parts of which date back 3 centuries. The location, close to the borders of both Surrey and Sussex, the idyllic kent countryside and everything that one would expect from a traditional English village is on the doorstep. The bars are cosy, timbered and authentic and the loyal local trade is fiercely protective of its only surviving village pub.

Cowden is a charming, un-spoilt village in Kent Nr Edenbridge, Probably first known as Cudena and then Cuden, eventually becoming Cowden. The Romans probably would have passed through on the way to London from the coast, the remains of the roman road are still visible at, Spood lane, Holtye, now more often called Spode Lane may be part of that road.

The present church was built around 1300 possibly by Gilbert Clare who was then the earl of Gloucester. The first clock on the church tower arrived in about 1652 In the reign of Henry V111 the stream known as Kentwater, was dammed up at Scarletts to make ponds for the supply of power to the furnace and iron master.

Records exist in Rochester cathedral that a church has been on the same site in the village at least since 1115 and possibly a heathen temple before that. Cowden fair was always held on the feast day of St Mary Magdalene, around 2nd August and was mainly for "pedlary" and cattle.Iron was desperately needed for the guns and cannon to arm Henrys soldiers. The cannon were tested by firing them over the pond and into the bank at Holtye common and Rogers Town. Cannon balls are still found there. The iron industry had quite an effect on the area woodlands as much of it was cut to supply fuel, but the iron industry would have been a main source of employment for the villagers. Its probable that there were two furnaces at Cowden, but it seems they were destroyed after the civil war.