“It really was the starting point for the young Audrey Hepburn that she became,” Brian Badham of the Elham Historical Society said of the future Hollywood star’s childhood in Kent. Audrey Hepburn spent three formative years living in Elham, near Canterbury, between 1936 and 1939, where local historians report she first developed her passion for music and dance before the outbreak of World War Two.
Blue Plaque Marks Orchard Cottage Where Hepburn Lived From 1936 to 1939
Long before starring in films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and My Fair Lady, Hepburn arrived in the Kent village following the separation of her parents. According to local accounts cited by the BBC, she was known at the time as Audrey Ruston-Hepburn and moved into Orchard Cottage with the Butcher family, who accommodated visitors prior to the war. A blue plaque near the King’s Arms pub now marks the residence where she stayed during her English education.
Rigden School Lessons Sparked a Love of Performance
During her time in the community, Hepburn attended Rigden School in the centre of Elham. Badham explained that one of the sisters at the school encouraged the young girl to participate in music and dance activities, laying the groundwork for her future artistic career. Fellow historian Dilys Webb noted that the late-1930s village provided a bustling environment with coffee houses, shops, and pubs where Hepburn enjoyed an active social life involving ballet and friends.
Wartime Displacement and Return to the Netherlands in 1939
World War Two abruptly ended Hepburn’s time in the English countryside. In December 1939, as conflict loomed, her mother—a Dutch baroness—arranged for her to travel back to the Netherlands, which was then a neutral nation. Following the German invasion in May 1940, Hepburn endured severe hardships, including wartime malnutrition, and spent her teenage years under Nazi occupation. Her son, Luca Dotti, noted in a past interview that she firmly believed in taking a side in the struggle between good and evil, a conviction reflected in her later work carrying messages for the Dutch resistance and performing in secret ballet shows to raise funds for anti-Nazi efforts.
Village Residents Remain Incredibly Proud of Their Hollywood Connection
Although historical records do not indicate that Hepburn ever returned to Elham after the war, current residents maintain a deep sense of pride in her local roots. Webb observed that while villagers at the time could not have known she would become a global superstar, the community now fondly remembers her connection. Badham added that she was a wonderful lady who left a lasting impact despite her short time in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Audrey Hepburn’s Time in Kent
Where did Audrey Hepburn live while staying in Elham?
She lived at Orchard Cottage with the Butcher family, a location near the King’s Arms pub that is currently marked by a blue plaque.
When did Audrey Hepburn live in the Kent countryside?
She resided in the village for three years between 1936 and 1939, before returning to the Netherlands shortly before the outbreak of World War Two.
Which school did she attend during her childhood in Kent?
She attended Rigden School in the centre of Elham, where she took lessons and first became involved with music and dance.