Sutton Valence Walks
This delightful Kent based village is located near Maidstone and Lenham.
Sutton Valence is situated right on the Greensand Way, an epic long distance walk following the ridge of greensand rock through Surrey and Kent. Local walking highlights include the stunning grounds at Leeds Castle, which lies just to the north.
This short walk in the village takes you to the historic Sutton Valence Castle. Here you can visit the ruins of this small Norman keep, built in the second half of the 12th century. You can then climb up to the castle and enjoy wonderful views over East Sussex and the Weald of Kent.
The walk also takes you through the pleasant village centre where there are several old buildings including the photogenic almshouses.
To continue your walking in the area follow the Greensand Way west to visit Linton Park. The beautiful 19th-century landscape park has some beautiful gardens and lovely views.
Sutton Valence Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Sutton Valence Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Sutton Valence OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Sutton Valence Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Sutton Valence
- Linton Park - Explore the stunning 19th-century landscape park surrounding this 18th-century country house in Linton, Kent
- Kingswood Kent - This walk visits the village of Kingswood in Kent
- Lenham - This Kent based village has some fine walking trails on which to explore the North Downs and the lovely Stour Valley countryside
- Maidstone River Walk - A nice riverside walk along the Medway from Maidstone to Leybourne Lakes Country Park
- Stour Valley Walk - Follow the River Stour from its source near Lenham to the estuary at Pegwell Bay on the Kent coast
- Hothfield Common - This area of common land is located near Ashford in the Kent Downs AONB
- Charing - This circular walk explores the countryside around the Kent village of Charing
- Pluckley - Explore the countryside associated with the 'Darling Buds of May' on this walk around the village of Pluckley
- Ashford - This Kent town is ideally positioned for walkers on the edge of the Kent Downs and the North Downs
- Eastwell Park Lake - This walk visits the Eastwell Park Estate in Boughton Lees in Kent
- Leeds Castle Maidstone - Explore the stunning grounds of this 19th century castle and former residence of Catherine of Aragon. There are 500 acres of beautiful parkland, open water and formal gardens to explore on well laid out walking paths.
- Hever Castle - Explore the beautiful grounds of this historic castle in Kent on this circular walk
- Chiddingstone - 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.
- Harrietsham - This circular walk explores the pretty bluebell woodland around the village of Harrietsham in the Kent Downs AONB
- Headcorn - This historic village is located in the Low Weald area of Kent, a few miles south of Sutton Valence
Photos
High Street, Sutton Valence
The Lambe Almshouses, Sutton Valence
Aylmer House, Tumblers Hill, Sutton Valence
Sutton Valence
Sutton valence castle and path up to it. Overlooking a strategic route to the coast, the original castle probably comprised an inner and an outer bailey and a protective barbican, with a three-storey high keep on its southern side. It was passed into the Marshal and de Montfort families, before being given by King Henry III to his half-brother William de Valence in 1265, from whom the castle takes its current name. It was abandoned in the early 14th century and fell into ruin. In the 21st century the castle is managed by English Heritage, and the remains of the keep are open to the public.
The steps up to Sutton Valence Castle from Rectory Lane