Lamberhurst - Kilndown - Scotney Castle - Lamberhurst

Tony Brotherton

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We start our walk from the public car park adjoining The Chequers Inn, off The Broadway in Lamberhurst. Our walk takes us over the River Teise on the way up from the Broadway and School Hill to reach the war memorial. We traverse part of Lamberhurst Golf Course to arrive at the Church of St Mary the Virgin. Our way now passes under the Lamberhurst Bypass to reach hop-gardens and fields, which takes us in a more or less straight line to the outskirts of the village of Goudhurst. From here we enter the driveway of Finchcocks.

We leave the drive to walk across a lovely meadow next to a meandering stream and finally exit via a private drive to Ranters Lane along which, on our way to the village of Kilndown, are some delightful old and picturesque houses and farms. As we approach Kilndown we pass (or even visit) The Small Holding Farm & Kitchen. We turn right onto a path into Kilndown Wood about fifty yards past The Small Holding, but if you wish to visit the village and its 1841 sandstone Christ Church, keep ahead for a short distance. To resume the walk, retrace your steps to the fingerpost signed 'Scotney Estate' and follow the winding path through the wood to reach open parkland, cross this to reach a drive and climb to reach a ridge with far-reaching views across the surrounding countryside.

From here a visit can be made to Old Scotney Castle and Gardens if desired; it is but a short, ten- to fifteen-minute walk. Our way now takes us down from the ridge via a field to reach the bridge spanning the A21 bypass, which we cross. We enter the golf course and cross to a recreation ground on our way back to the car park at Lamberhurst.

England - South England - Kent - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Castle, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, National Trust, Pub, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

7/4/2021 - Stephen Harris

Walked 04.07.2021. We have provided updates to the walk as it was very out of date. Miriam's comments may no longer be relevant after the update. This is a very nice walk with some lovely scenery, variety and good views. A small section was a little overgrown but passable (now advised in the update). The road section is quite long and there are some steady climbs to get your blood pumping but the road was fairly quite on a Sunday. Would not recommend this walk if you have young children as there is one dangerous road section. Good though for a day out, 9/10.

3/30/2019 - Bronwyn Buntine

We walked this on a lovely spring day (17/02/19). The directions were very useful but it should be noted a little out of date with many field stiles etc removed. We would strongly recommend booking if you are intending to lunch on the way round. The 'Small Holding' at Kilndown is very special and worth a look. A lovely walk on a spring day with the added bonus of a great lunch and a stop at Scotney.

12/4/2008 - Walkingworld Administrator

With thanks to Alan Love for updating this walk.