BARMING, a parish in the hundred of MAIDSTONE, lathe of AYLESFORD, county of KENT, 2 miles (w. by S.) from Maidstone, containing 406 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Rochester, rated in the king's books at £12. 17. 1., and in the patronage of the Crown. The church, which has a fine spire, is dedicated to St. Margaret. The river Medway, which runs through the parish, is crossed by a stone bridge leading to East Farleigh, and by another of wood, called St. Helen's bridge, on the road to West Farleigh. The soil in the neighbourhood is peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of hops, and a large quantity of fruit is sent to the London market. There was a Roman villa at this place, the foundations of which were taken up a few years ago, when coins of the Lower Empire, also of Edward I., and of later English monarchs, were found. Several urns have also been discovered in different parts of the parish. The abbess of St. Helen's, London, had a summer retreat here, but there are no remains of the house. The poet Smart resided upon his paternal estate in this parish; and the Rev. John Harris, D.D., author of a History of Kent, a Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, &c., formerly held the living.