Understand
The Kent village of Elham that helped shape Audrey Hepburn's early life
Overview
Before becoming a Hollywood star, Audrey Hepburn spent three formative years of her childhood living in the Kent village of Elham between 1936 and 1939. Local historians note that her time attending school and taking part in music, dance, and ballet in the village laid the foundations for her performing career before she returned to the Netherlands ahead of World War Two.
Key points
- Audrey Hepburn lived in Orchard Cottage in Elham, Kent, between 1936 and 1939, an era commemorated by a blue plaque.
- She attended Rigden School in Elham, where a teacher encouraged her early interest in music and dance.
- Local historians state that her time in the village provided a rich social life, including ballet lessons and visiting local coffee houses.
- She returned to the Netherlands in December 1939 ahead of World War Two, later enduring Nazi occupation and severe hardship.
- Residents of Elham remain proud of the actress's connection to their community.