Length: up to 16½ km (10.3 miles), with shorter options. Toughness: 2/10
10:08 Hastings train from Charing Cross (Waterloo East 10:11, London Bridge 10:17, Orpington 10:33), arriving Tonbridge at 10:52. If this is cancelled, there are other trains from Charing Cross to Tonbridge at 09:59 & 10:16.
There are four trains an hour back from Tonbridge (but not evenly spread out), at around xx:07, xx:11, xx:37 & xx:44.
After a rather tiresome trudge out of Tonbridge this is an undemanding walk through parkland, farm fields and orchards, with the world-famous Chagall windows in Tudeley church the highlight of the outward leg. A little further on the ‘Country Pub & Dining’ Poacher & Partridge should be able to provide a pub lunch for those who want one, but if it can't oblige it's less than an hour back to the eateries of Tonbridge.
You could end the walk here if you wish (12¼ km), but the directions include the option of a half-hour circuit around the Racecourse Ground (14½ km) or a longer loop out to Barden Lake (16½ km), where there's a park café. However, I wouldn't advise venturing any further into Haysden Country Park as some of the footpaths at its western end are likely to be closed because of ongoing construction work on the Leigh Flood Relief Barrier.
You'll need to bring the directions from the L=swc.220 – clicking 'Main' on the Walk Options heading line will cut out the directions for the Capel extension, which needs a longer day.
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Despite the best efforts of the walk creator to put us off by describing it as “not particularly scenic”, n=15 turned up on this walk, enjoying a brightish day of w=sun-and-cloud, the sun increasing in the afternoon.
Setting off, we were denied the chance to do the loop around the castle, with one walker instead insisting on an urban short cut along the rail line. But once we got into open countryside the scenery was very pleasant - a mansion house, gentle views across the valley. Some slithery arable fields, yes, but nothing exceptional for this time of year.
All Saints Church was duly visited, with its very blue (or in one case, yellow) Chagall windows. They were...err…very nice. Definitely an enhancement to what would otherwise be a very dull interior.
For lunch, the Poacher and Partridge was very busy and initially could only offer two tiny bar tables, but then a bigger table by the window became free. All who wanted to eat inside thus got to do so; sandwichers and one hot mealer sat outside. Food came quickly and there was general satisfaction with its quality.
In the afternoon an orchard (still with a few apples) and a nice stretch along a quiet lane, with the sun dancing along the top of the hedgerow. Then urban paths along the somewhat swollen River Medway. Once in throbbing downtown Tonbridge at least nine of us opted to do the extra loop around Barden Lake. Six of us had a nice tea in the Finch House Cafe.
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