Janet's Walk: Matfield - Paddock Wood - Brenchley - Matfield

Alison and Clive Gilbert

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

This walk was originally compiled by Alan and Janet Love, sadly both are no longer with us. Alison Gilbert has kindly offered to take them over. Alison and Walkingworld would like all these excellent walks to remain as a continuing tribute to Alan and Janet.

My wife and walking companion of many years died on the 29th December, 2006. Janet always loved passing through Matfield purely because of its lovely setting, so I have dedicated this walk to her and actually did the walk on what would have been our 48th wedding anniversary, the 5th March, 2007. AL

Matfield boasts the largest village green in Kent, indeed cricket is played on it during the season. Matfield derives its name from the Anglo-Saxon 'feld' meaning large clearing and from the farm run by Matta, hence Mattafeld, now Matfield. The village comprises a mixture of old and modern houses, the Georgian mansion shown at the beginning of the walk being one of the older houses.

We approach the outskirts of Paddock Wood which lies in the Medway Valley. Lovely views can be seen across the valley as we proceed towards Paddock Wood. A more detailed description is given in Walk 3345 and the two walks can be linked by turning left at Waymark 12 to follow the B2160 to the pedestrian-operated traffic-lights, where it joins Walk 3345 at Waymark 2 where you turn left into Mount Pleasant.

Brenchley is located off the main A21 on the B2162 between Horsmonden and Matfield. We only touch the outskirts of Brenchley; the main area of the village lies to the left, a short distance along the road as we exit onto the B2162. In recent times Sophie Rhys-Jones, the wife of Prince Edward, originated from Brenchley. During the 17th Century the area boasted one of the largest Wealden Iron Works, located between Brenchley and Horsmonden.

England - South England - Kent - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Mostly Flat, Play Area, Pub, Public Transport, Tea Shop, Toilets, Woodland

8/24/2014 - IAN HILLS

My wife and I did this walk August 2014 on a nice summers day. No problem under foot. This is Kent at its very best and a lovely walk. If you like Blackberry pies do take something to collect masses of blackberries along the route in August/Sept. Noted a few changes since original posting, naturally over time things change. Original description is very good, but hope the updates help. Waypoint 8 - No private sign to be seen now (may have rotted away)and the way mark not very clear as it is low down to the ground. Short way down drive after LH turn - easy to walk past. Waypoint 9 Could not find stile. Comes out into apple orchard - go on downhill to Oast as mentioned Waypoint 10 Trees on RHS now gone, but follow instruction and a rather overgrown opening to footpath bottom left of field. Actually go under pylon - helpful waypoint. Waypoint 12 - Best cross over at traffic lights to LHS of road and go along proper tarmac public footpath through school playing field following hedge.This is alot safer than along busy road. Exit at school gate. Good place on a summer day to have a break and sandwiches on grass. Waypoint 14 I would say <10 metres. Gets a little confusing here as the changes mentioned to the old Golf course being turned back to pasture. Recommend OS map is referred to. Kent County Council have erected a substantial wooden gate on where to two public footpaths diverge. RH path very overgrown. Take the left hand distinctive path through the gate and between fences. Follow between fences for about 1 mile up and down through old golf course. Great views. Emerges to poplars as mentioned and new Oak tree plantation to Apple orchard. Waypoint 17 Gap in hedge not obvious as overgrown, but as originally described it is there and Brenchley village hall opposite has a tearoom - Unfortunately closed on Sunday's it would seem. Did pick up some lovely cooking apples here though for £1 to go with the blackberries for the pie! Waypoint 18/19 The concrete Footpath sign was flattened to ground. New housing estate being built next to footpath on RHS. No green field as shown in photo - only houses. Waypoint 21 sign very overgrown on RHS. Had to look back to see it. Waypoint 23 Sign has been replaced with yellow way marker on post- no so obvious Waypoint 26 - Apple orchard is no more and seems to be masses of Blackcurrant bushes A walk well worth doing.

4/28/2011 - Sarah Freshwater

We did this walk on the 25th of April. It really is a lovely walk through many apple orchards and the beautiful Kent countryside. Since the walk was posted the golf course mentioned at point 15 is no longer in use however you can clearly see the contours of the greens and the old bunkers on the left and right. New stock fencing now encloses the path and, whilst there are fewer yellow waymark signs on this section, just follow the rise and fall of the landscape and you will soon reach the stile on the other side of the line of poplars.

10/21/2007 - Paul McKenzie

Just would like to thank you for this walk excellent. I can understand why you dedicated this to your late wife. Paul and Claire

9/10/2007 - Jeremy Moon

Very easy directions ideal for a early Sunday morning walk. Lovely Kentish countryside lots of lovely apple orchards some lost to nature trees now covered in juicy sweet blackberry bushes!. Would highly recommend Janet’s walk.