Waymarker, Eden Valley Walk

Image: © N Chadwick Taken: 15 Feb 2010

This walk is set in the Eden Valley, which for the most part is in the care of the National Trust. The walk was inaugurated by Kent County Council in 1991; a 15-mile route which links the Vanguard Way, where it passes to the west of Edenbridge, and the Wealdway in Tonbridge. The walk enters the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and passes through parkland, woodland and open fields. The route is also rich in historical architecture, running close to both Hever and Tonbridge castles as well as many historic churches. The walk begins just south of Haxted Mill where the Vanguard Way comes to Cernes Farm. The Eden Valley Walk cuts away to the north-east and then follows the modest river from which it takes its name towards Edenbridge. From Edenbridge High street, coming from the station, turn left into Church St and enter the church grounds keeping left of the church. Continue to the far left corner of the church grounds; bear right following the wall until you come to an exit gateway. Now follow the waymarks through the residential area, they are on walls and lamp posts. The way curves southward, passes alongside Delaware Farm and comes to the Hever Road. Turn towards Edenbridge, but soon after across a field, pass beneath the railway and cross several more fields that bring you back to the railway near Hever Station. A brief spell along a lane and you enter Hever, with a tile-hung pub on a corner, and the entrance to Hever Castle, birth place of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII. The path takes you right beside the church. From the churchyard a footpath edges alongside a driveway, with the lake in the grounds of Hever Castle seen nearby. The way leads to Threshers Field, and then rises through woods to the hamlet of Hill Hoath. Leaving Hill Hoath at the halfway point along the walk, the stonework of Chiddingstone Castle is seen through trees to the north. A path of about half a mile provides an opportunity to visit the village, where refreshments are available at The Castle Inn, a beautiful timbered building dating from 1420. A track goes between fields and woodland, crosses a country lane and comes to the farm buildings of Wat Stock. From here Penshurst is just over a mile, an old coach road traces the crest of ridge. As you come to the end of the coach road the walls of Penshurst Place appear out of sheep grazed parkland ahead. The way crosses this parkland and goes into Penshurst churchyard and out by way of the original Leicester Square. Now the walk takes a driveway alongside high walls that contain the gardens of Penshurst Place. A farm road continues, but a stile on the left bearing the Eden Valley logo soon directs you away from the concrete and up a steeply-rising meadow. Having reached the hilltop, another exposed farm road leads north-eastward with large fields on either side. Then the road slopes down to pass a pair of cottages at Killick's Bank, where a footpath cuts away to descend through meadows to the left bank of the Medway. At the end of the meadows the route crosses to the right bank by way of Ensfield Bridge. The way now follows the course of the Medway into Tonbridge, passing under the A21.

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