The area's settlement is characterised by:

A very high density of dispersed historic settlements of farmsteads and hamlets with late medieval villages founded on trade and non-agricultural rural industries.

A dominance of traditional timber-framed buildings with steep roofs often hipped or half-hipped.

An extraordinarily high survival rate of farm buildings dating from the 17th century or earlier.

Timber-framed buildings covered in weatherboarding - often painted white or with tile-hanging.

Many small mansions built of local stone and surrounded by important historic gardens e.g. Wakehurst Place, High Beeches, Nymans, Sissinghurst.

Three castles: Bodiam, Hever and Chiddingstone.