Chiddingstone Walks - Circular to Hever Castle

This delightful Kent village includes many picturesque features including a village pond, Chiddingstone Castle and several historic timber framed properties dating back to the Tudor period.
The classic English village is actually preserved by the National Trust who bought the entire settlement in 1939.
This circular walk from the village visits two of the highlights of the area at Hever Castle and Bough Beech Reservoir. The varied walk includes some peaceful woodland trails, fine country scenery and views of the River Eden which flows just north of the village.
The walk starts in the village and heads south to Hill Hoath where you can pick up the Eden Valley Walk. Follow the waymarked trail west through park wood and you will come to Hever. Turn north here and you will soon come to the entrance of the famous castle where you can explore the expansive grounds.
The route continues north to How Green where you turn east to pass along Hever Golf Course. At Bough Beech village you can follow paths north east to visit Bough Beech Reservoir where there are some pleasant waterside walking trails to try.
You retrace your steps to Bough Beech Village and then head east to Chested Farm before turning south to return to Chiddingstone. Here you can enjoy post exercise rest and relaxation at the local 15th century pub. There's also the option of heading to the 15th century Chiddingstone Castle where you enjoy walks around the lovely grounds. These include enchanting woodland walks, a fishing lake and spectacular views across the Kent countryside. They have also devised some longer walks through the area which you can see on this link.

Chiddingstone Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Chiddingstone Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Chiddingstone OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Chiddingstone Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Back in the village you can enjoy some post walk refreshment at the historic Castle Inn. The Grade II listed inn dates back to the early 15th century and includes many ancient features including the fireplaces, tiled floors, oak panelling and bars. Outside there's a lovely garden where you can relax on warmer days. You can find them at postcode TN8 7AH for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The country trails make for a fine dog walk and the Castle Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly. If you enter the grounds of Hever Castle then they will need to be on leads. They are not permitted inside the cafés, restaurants, Castle, mazes or Adventure Playground of the site.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Penshurst Place is another major local highlight and easily reachable on foot from the village. Just follow the Eden Valley Walk south east for about 2 miles and you will reach the old house with its beautiful gardens.

Hever Castle, Bough Beech Reservoir, Eden Valley Walk, Penshurst Place, Haysden Country Park, Tonbridge, Edenbridge

GPX File

Chiddingstone.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)