Castles, palaces and Oast houses of Kent, Garden of England - 20km

A lovely 20km (12.5 mile) wander through the Eden Valley in the beautiful Kent countryside, replete with castles, villages and Oast houses, ending up in the tiny hamlet of Chiddingstone Causeway.

DESCRIPTION

We’ll begin the hike from Tonbridge Station heading west toward the River Medway. We’ll pass by the 13th-century gatehouse of Tonbridge Castle, and then follow the Eden Valley, a peaceful riverside path that winds through open meadows and past willow trees.

We’ll walk through Haysden Country Park, a lovely spot with lakes, before crossing the river and continuing along the Eden Valley heading west toward Penshurst, a picture-postcard village with timber-framed buildings.

We’ll stop at Penshurst Place and Gardens, a stately home with Tudor history, beautiful gardens, and a tearoom. We’ll then continue south-west, passing through wooded glades, grazing farmland and Chiddingstone Castle to pause in Chiddingstone village, one of the best-preserved Tudor villages in Kent.

From there, we’ll take quiet lanes and footpaths heading east past tucked-away Oast houses and tranquil farmland, with the North Downs visible in the distance on clear days.

We’ll end up in the quiet hamlet of Chiddingstone Causeway, where there’ll be an option to have a drink or two in the friendly Little Brown Jug pub with its large garden.

SUMMARY (all info is approximate!)

Distance: 20km/12.5miles linear route
Ascent: 240 metres
Duration: 5-6 hours walking
Grade: Moderate along good paths without much ascent.

COST AND LOGISTICS

Cost: £10
Meet: London Bridge Station 9am or Tonbridge station 09:46am
Hike start: 10am Tonbridge Station (NOT Tunbridge Wells!!)
Hike finish: 5.30pm approx. Penshurst Station

Recommended morning trains from London
09:13 Dep London Bridge
09:46 Arr: Tonbridge

Recommended train ticket
You can buy an Off-Peak Day Return from London to Tonbridge and then buy a Penshurst to Tonbridge ticket separately as a single fare on the way back. Or, you can buy an Off-Peak Day Return to Penshurst from London - just make sure it allows travel via Tonbridge in the morning!
And make sure you catch a Tonbridge train in the morning!

PRICE INCLUDES

• Guided hike planned and led by an experienced AAA leader, trained in Outdoor First Aid.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Travel costs
• Lunch, drinks or any refreshments
• PayPal fees

RECOMMENDED KIT LIST (complete list)

• Suitable hiking shoes or boots
• Water - 2 litres recommended
• Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!)
• Warm windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece
• Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencel/Merino
• Packed lunch and snacks

REVIEWS
Trip Advisor | Facebook | MeetUp

CANCELLING/REFUNDS
If you can no longer make the hike, please update your RSVP to say 'No', to allow others to buy your place. If the hike is full, we will refund you, less than the PayPal/Meetup fees. To obtain this, please email info@aaalondongroup.com after the event, with the email address you use on your PayPal account and transaction reference. If the hike is not full, unfortunately we will not be able to provide any refund.

QUESTIONS
If you have any other questions, please check visit our FAQ page. If you are still unsure, contact the event Host shown on this page.

We have operated over 1,000 events without significant incidents in the last ten years, achieved through meticulous planning. All participants (members and their guests) in any AAA Hiking event or activity are personally responsible for their fitness, safety and welfare, and must be equipped accordingly. If you have signed up for the event, you acknowledge and accept the AAA London Group Terms and Conditions. © AAA London Group Ltd. Errors and Omissions Excepted
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