Kent Garden of England Country Tours

8/8/2019 Kent Garden of England Country Tours

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For those who enjoy walking,

cycling or horseriding,we

have highlighted several trails

that cross the Country Tours.

So why not park your car,

stretch your legs and explore.

With over 4,000 miles (6,800

kms) of public rights of way

across some of the most

enchanting and unspoilt

countryside, you won't be

disappointed.

Kent is just perfect for a short break. Where else could you

find beautiful countryside, dotted with orchards, hop fields

and oast houses, historic towns and picturesque villages, a

charming coastline and more castles than any other county in

England? And it's so easy to reach, with fast road and rail

links from London and the continent. So don't just speed

through Kent, instead take time out to explore the

'Garden of England' at your leisure.You'll find it

captivating. Visit just once and you'll be seducedby its charm.

To make it easy for you to explore,

we've created four Country Tours.

Each Tour takes a circular route of

between 50 and 70 miles (80-

122kms) and is clearly

signposted with distinctive

brown and white road

signs. The Tours run in

an anti-clockwise

direction and you

can join them at

any point. You

could drive around

each tour in a day,

but we recommend

you taking a more

leisurely pace to

enjoy the many

attractions on route.

Enjoy your visit

to Kent

Welcom

e to the Garden of England

www.kenttour ism.co .uk

On these Country Tours

you'll find hundreds ofdelightful places to stop off

and explore, from great stately

homes and majestic castles to

fascinating local museums. There are

some glorious gardens to visit, vineyards

and animal parks too, and there are

countless rural pubs, restaurants and

tearooms to refresh you on the way.

If you stay overnight,

you'll be spoilt for

choice with everything

from self-catering

cottages and homely

farmhouse B&B's to

upmarket country house

hotels with luxurious

leisure facilities.

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Penshurst Place


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Groombridge Place Gardens

Each Country Tour has a unique symbol, so

that you can easily follow the road signs alongthe route.

The Heart of Kent Tour is symbolised by the Invicta

Horse.The Tour follows leafy country lanes, through

arable farmland and areas of woodland with

captivating views of the Greensand Ridge and the North

Downs, both are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A tree symbolises The East

Kent Tour, which takes you

through the beautiful

countryside and picturesque villages

of the North Downs, south of

Canterbury.

The symbol for The RomneyMarsh & Rye Tour is

bulrushes. Here you will be

guided through one of the most

contrasting and un-explored areas of

England, through wild countryside,

open marshland and arable farmland.

The High Weald Tour uses oast houses as itssymbol and passes through charming Kentish

Wealden towns and villages over open rolling

landscapes with extensive areas of woodland, hop

fields, gardens and orchards.

To help you find your way around Kent,

fold out maps indicating the route of

each Tour are included in this

brochure.

Details of walking, cycling and horse

riding routes and locations of Kent's

country parks can be found at

www.kent.gov.uk/countrysideaccess

The Tours are suitable for both car s and coaches and use mainly minor roads and country lanes.

Motorists are reminded to drive with care. The roads maybe narrow and winding in places, so

please be courteous to other road users including walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

In this brochure, you'll findeach Tour has contact details

for attractions on route plus

details of walking, cycling and

horse riding trails that meet

the Tour along the way.

You can gather more detailed

information on what to see

and do on your visit to Kent

at www.kenttourism.co.ukor

by contacting the Tourist Information

Centres listed on pages 42 and 43.

Tour SymbolsWelcome to the Garden of Eng

land

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Key

Heart of Kent Country Tour

TOUR STARTSHERE

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Below are some walking, cycling and horse riding routes

that cross through the Heart of Kent Country Tour.

Tunbridge Wells Circular - 28 miles (45km)

High Weald Landscape Trail - 89 miles (142.41 km)

The Wealdway - 82 miles (131.2km)

Eden Valley Walk - 15 miles (24km)

Medway Valley Walk - 28 miles (44.8km)

The public rights of way network in this area is extensive. Why

not use the vast network of paths to explore the countryside

around the smaller villages and towns.

Parish Pedals Tunbridge Wells -

4 circular routes totalling 45 miles (71km)

Trosley Country Park - This Park

covers 160 acres of the North Downs.

Cyclists are permitted to use the main

routes through the woodland. Mountain

bikers and other cyclists looking for

more adventurous routes should use

the bridleway around the perimeter of

the park.

There are three loops to explore on horseback, which make up

the Dryhill Rides around the High Weald and Surrey Border. The

rides are up to 15 miles (24km) long.

The British Horse Society's Kent on Horseback publication

features two circular riding routes in this area. The rides are 10

miles (16km) and 16 miles (25.7) long.

For information about walking, cycling and horseriding visit


Places to visiton route

1211

Walking, Cycling andHorse riding

Walking routes

Cyclingroutes

Horse riding routes


Heartof Kent CountryTour Map

Heart of Kent Country Tour

Attraction Telephone Web site

Great Comp Gardens 01732 886154 www.greatcomp.co.uk

The Hop Farm Country Park 01622 872068 www.thehopfarm.co.uk

Ightham Mote 01732 810378 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Manor Park Country Park 01622 221767 www.kent.gov.uk/countrysideaccess

Marle Place Gardens 01892 722304

Nepicar Farm 01732 883040 www.nepicarfarm.co.uk

Old Soar Manor 01732 810378 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Sprivers 01892 890651 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

St. Leonard's Tower 01732 870872 www.english-heritage .org.uk

Tonbridge Castle 01732 770929 www.tmbc.gov.uk

Yalding Organic Gardens 01622 814650 www.hdra.org.uk

For further information about

Kent, including what to see and

do,where to stay, events

and where to eat and

drink, visit

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Canterbury Cathedral

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Walking, Cycling andHorse riding

Walking routes


that cross through the East Kent Country Tour.

North Downs Way National Trail - 157 miles (251km) Kents

most prestigious walking route from Surrey to Dover.

Stour Valley Walk - 55.5 miles (82.4km)

Elham Valley Way - 22.5 miles (36km)

The public rights of way network in this area is exceptional. Use

the vast network of paths to explore the stunning downland

around the smaller villages and towns.

Bike Trails by Rail in the Stour Valley.

All routes start and finish at railway

stations along the beautiful Stour River

Valley, north and west of Ashford and

around the Canterbury area.

Wantsum Channel Ride - 21.5 miles(34.4km)

Duke of Burgundy Ride - 20 miles

(32km)

Coppice Cloud Chamber Ride -

10 miles (16km)

Pulpit Ride - 15 miles (24km)

Typically Kent Along Country Lanes - 20 miles (32.5km)

King of the Downs - 21 miles (33km)

The Buffalo Ride - 21 miles (33km)

Wye and Crundale Rides - a network of six loops up to

17 miles (27.2km).

The British Horse Societys Kent on Horseback publication

features six riding routes in the area, with rides ranging from9.5 miles (15.3km) to 19 miles (30.5km).




Beech Court Gardens 01233 740735 www.beechcourtgardens.freeserve.co.uk

Canterbury Cathedral 01227 762862 www.canterbury-cathedral.org

Canterbury Tales

Visitor Attraction 01227 479227 www.canterburytales.org.uk

Elham Valley Vineyards 01227 831266

Goodnestone Park Gardens 01304 840107 www.kenttourism.co.uk/goodnestone

Howletts Wild Animal Park 01303 264647 www.howletts.com

St Augustines Abbey 01227 712111 www.english-heritage.org.uk

Wingham Wildlife Park 01227 720836 www.winghamwildlifepark.co.uk

For further information

about Kent, including what

to see and do, where to stay,

events and where to eat and drink, visit


Cyclingroutes

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Horse riding routes


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East Kent Country Tour

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Smuggling, seafaring, steam

trains and sheep could be

the theme to this

fascinating tour. It starts at the charming old wool town of

Tenterden, the Jewel of the Weald, with its wide, tree-lined

main street and tempting antique and gift shops. Take a

nostalgic trip on the old Kent and East Sussex Railway or to the

wonderful collection of Morgan cars at nearby Rolvenden.

Here, too, youll find the original Secret Garden - at the

Lutyens-designed Great Maytham Hall. Just over the

border in Sussex is Great Dixter, the ultimate English

Garden, designed by Lutyens and lovingly tended by

gardening writer, Christopher Lloyd. Rye is anenchanting little town with its cobbled streets

winding up from the quay between quaint half-

timbered houses. The views from the hilltop

over the marsh are spectacular.

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East Kent CountryTour Map

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Romney Marsh & R

ye

CountryTo

ur

Smuggling was once a

popular pastime on

Romney Marsh and still

retains an air of mystery and

romance. Discover its secretsexplore its beautiful

Norman and medieval churches, unspoilt country pubs

and wildlife havens for heron, kingfisher and the large and

vociferous Romney Marsh frog. Watch for unusual

migrants in the remote wilds of the Dungeness NatureReserve, or climb to the top of the old lighthouse.You

may be seduced by the golden sands at Dymchurch but

dont miss out on the enchanting Romney, Hythe and

Dymchurch miniature steam railway which puffs, in places,

beside the Royal Military

Canal, built, with the

Martello Towers, to repel

Napoleonic invaders. Onthe hills above, elephants,

lions and rhino roam at the

Port Lympne Wild Animal

Park, while at Woodchurch,

spring lambs frolic happily

at the South of England

Rare Breeds Centre.

East Kent Country Tour

Beech Court Gardens

Smallhythe Place

Kent & East Sussex Railway

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Coaches

Coaches should follow the A259 to Hythe (due to weightan width restrictions) and turn left onto the A261. Take the

A20 at Newingreen and turn left onto the B2067.

Cars

Cars may wish to follow a more scenic route, where there

are no Country Tours signs. Turn left onto the Burmarsh

road about one mile after Dymchurch. Just before

Burmarsh turn right into Donkey Street.

Follow the road past Lathe Barn and turn right at the

end towards Lympne.The road crosses a bridge then

rises steeply away from the marshlands turn left to join

the B2067.

Continue along the B2067, you will pass several small

villages including Ruckinge and Hamstreet and the South of

England Rare Breeds Centre.

At the end of the B2067 turn

right then left towards the

start point at Tenterden.

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The Country Tours

are signed and the following directions will

provide additional assistance:

The tour starts at Tenterden.

Take the A28 towards Rolvenden and over the borderto the East Sussex village of Northiam. Continue to the

T-junction until the road meets the B2089 towards Rye.

Leaving Rye, take the right hand lane then the A268

signed to Hawkhurst, then take the first turning on the

right after the bridge, heading back into Kent, towards

Appledore.

Take the B2080 towards St Clement, through Brenzett.

Continue along the A256 to St Clement church.

From Old Romney church it is possible to explore an

additional loop (see map on page 28).

Additional Loop

Stay on the A259 and turn right onto the B2075 to

Lydd.

Turn left at the fork in the road and continue across the

roundabout passing the Dungeness Nature Reserve.

At The Pilot Public House, at Lydd on Sea, follow the

coast road to Littlestone and Greatstone.

At Littlestone, turn left onto the B2071 to New

Romney, pass the railway station to the T-Junction, turn

left on to the A259 signed Brenzett.

At Old Romney, turn right past the church and followthe signs through the Marshes.

When you arrive in Dymchurch, turn left on to the

A259.

Continue the Country Tour

Staying on the tour, follow the signs through St Mary in

the Marsh to Dymchurch. For just over a mile the tour follows the Dymchurch

Wall with the sea on your right.

After about a mile the route splits.

Dire

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Walking and Cyclin


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Below are some walking and cycling routes that cross

through the Romney Marsh and Rye Country Tour.

Royal Military Canal Path - 28 miles (44.8km)

Saxon Shore Way - 163 miles (261km)

High Weald Landscape Trail89 miles (142.4km)

There are nine circular walks within Romney Marsh between

3 miles - 9 miles (5km - 14km)

One Thousand Years of Invasion &

Defence - 16 miles (26km)

Wealden Day Out - 15 miles (24km)

Monuments,Memorials and

Sculptures - 18 miles (29km)

Appledore & Churchwood -

16 miles (24km)

The Isle of Oxney - Nature at its Best

12 miles (18km)

Tenterden - 11 miles (17km)

The Romney Marsh Meanders - guide to five cycle rides

that follow quiet country lanes ranging from 10 miles -

44 miles (16 km to 70 km)



Cyclingroutes

Walking routes


Walking and Cyclingroutes


Brenzett Aeronautical Museum 01233 627911

Dungeness Nature Reserve 01797 320588 www.rspb.org.uk

Dungeness Old Lighthouse 01797 321300

Dungeness Power Station 01797 321815 www.bnfl.com

Great Maytham Hall 01580 241346 www.cha.org.uk

Great Dixter 01797 252878 www.buzzgarden.com

Kent & East Sussex Railway 01580 765155 www.kesrail.fsnet.co.uk

Port Lympne Wild Animal Park 01303 264647 www.howletts.com

Romney, Hythe and

Dymchurch Railway 01797 362353 www.rhdr.demon.co.uk

South of England Rare

Breeds Centre 01233 861493 www.rarebreeds.org.uk

For further information about Kent, including what to see and

do, where to stay, events and where to eat and drink, visit

Port Lympne


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Romney Marsh & Rye Cou ntry Tour

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Nearby, is one

of Englands

greatest medievalmanors, Penshurst

Place, home to the

Elizabethan poet, Sir Philip

Sydney, (his descendants still live here).

You may be lured off the main tour to the picturesque

National Trust village of Chiddingstone or to Ann Boleyns

childhood home, the magnificent 13th century Hever Castle.

The gardens and Enchanted Forest of Groombridge Place

delight adults and children alike and save some time for the

Royal Spa town of Tunbridge Wells. Get a fascinating

glimpse into everyday Georgian life in this elegant spa.

Shop for treasures in the antique and specialist shops in

the historic Pantiles, the towns most well-known walkway.

A revitalising boat trip on Bewl Water or a stroll in

Bedgebury National Pinetum could be the perfect antidote to

shopping, and a visit to 14th century Scotney Castle Gardenwill revive the romance

in the most jaded of

souls. Enjoy!

Enchanting Wealden towns and villages, historiccastles and stately homes, romantic gardens,

orchards and vineyards and even a Georgian Spa

- this tour reveals yet another aspect of Kents

many charms.

First you will need to tear yourself away from the delights of

Tenterden. Console yourself with a drop of wine, cider or

apple juice from the Biddenden Vineyards or coffee in Claris

Tearoom in the pretty little village of Biddenden, still famed forits 12th century Siamese twins. Youll be entranced by the

famous white garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden and

enchanted by the half-timbered and tile-hung houses in villages

like Goudhurst and and the small town of Cranbrook. Stop off

at stately Georgian Finchcocks for an enthralling musical tour

of early keyboard instruments, and continue your wine studies

at the vineyards at

Lamberhurst and

Penshurst.



HighWealdCountry T

ourRom

ney Marsh & RyeCountry Tour M

ap

The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells

Romney Marsh& Rye Country Tour

Hever Castle

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The Country Tours are signed and the following

directions will provide additional assistance:

The tour starts in Tenterden.

Take the A28 towards Maidstone and then the A262 to

Biddenden.

A detour on to the A229 towards Hastings, just past

Sissinghurst takes you to the market town of Cranbrook.

Back on the tour, continue to Goudhurst.

Through Goudhurst, take the A21 towards Pembury and

Tonbridge turn left on to the A26 taking the first turning at

the roundabout towards Southborough at the second

roundabout follow signs towards Tunbridge Wells.

Continue south on the A26 before turning sharply right on to

the B2176 towards Bidborough and Penshurst.

Car drivers are encouraged to follow the scenic detour to

Chiddingstone.

A further detour takes you through the village of Hever.

The tour continues on the B2188 through the little village of

Fordcombe before joining the A264 towards Tunbridge Wells.

Signposted just off the tour on the B2110 is Groombridge

Place.

Continue into Tunbridge Wells heading towards Eastbourne

and the Pantiles Tourist Information Centre by turning right

down Major Yorkes Road.

At the end of the road turn left leaving Tunbridge Wells on the

A267, then the B2169 to Lamberhurst.

Follow the A21, then the A268, through Hawkhurst continuing

along the A268.

Continue for several miles before turning left

towards Rolvenden

After approximately 2 miles you will

join the A28 back to

Tenterden.

A detour to the right

onto the B2082 will

take you to Smallhythe

Place and TenterdenVineyards.

Dire

ctions

Scotney Castle Garden

Walking, Cycling andHorse riding es to vi it


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Wal g d Horse riding


that cross through the High Weald Country Tour.

Tunbridge Wells Circular - 28 miles (45km)

High Weald Landscape Trail - 89 miles (142.2km)

The Wealdway - 82 miles (131.2km)

Bewl WaterOff-road route around

Bewl Water Reservoir14 Miles (21km)

Headcorn,Frittenden &

Sissinghurst - 12 miles (18km)

Hawkhurst & Bedgebury Forest -

8-16 miles (13km-26km)

Benenden - 7.5 miles (12km)

Tenterden - 11 miles (17km)

Bedgebury Forestnear Tunbridge

Wells. A number of cycle routes through

the Forest.

Penshurst Off-Road Centreopen

all year round. There are a number of

off-road routes for all abilities.

The British Horse Societys Kent on Horseback publication

features a 9 mile (14.5km) circular route in this area



Cyclingroutes

Walking routes


Horse riding routes


A Day at the Wells 01892 546545 www.heritageprojects.co.uk

Bayham Abbey 01892 890381 www.english-heritage.org.uk

Bewl Water 01892 890661 www.bewl.co.uk

Bedgebury Pinetum 01580 211044 www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk

Biddenden Vineyards 01580 291726 www.biddendenvineyards .com

C.M. Booth Collection

of Historic Vehicles 01580 241234

Cranbrook Union Mill 01580 712256 www.kentwindmills .co.uk

Finchcocks 01580 211702 www.finchcocks.co.uk

Groombridge Place Gardens 01892 861444 www.groombridge.co.uk

Hever Castle 01732 865224 www.hevercastle.co.uk

Kent and East Sussex Railway 01580 765155 www.kesrail.fsnet.co.uk

Penshurst Place 01892 870307 www.penshurstplace.co.uk

Penshurst Vineyards 01892 870255 www.penshurst.co.uk

Scotney Castle 01892 891081 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 01580 710700 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Smallhythe Place 01580 762334 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Spa Valley Railway 01892 537715 www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

Tenterden and District Museum 01580 764310 www.ukpages.net/kent/museum.htm

Tenterden Vineyards 01580 763033 www.englishwines.com

Tonbridge Castle 01732 770929 www.tmbc.gov.uk

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Museum and Art Gallery 01892 547221 www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/museum

For further information about Kent, including what to see and

do, where to stay, events and where to eat and drink, visit

High Weald Country Tour


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High Weald Country Tour

TOUR STARTSHERE


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Motorway

Motorway services

Primary route

B road

Railway

Ferry route

Channel Tunnel

County boundary

Area of outstanding Natural Beauty

Urban area

Beach

Tourist information Centres

Map produced by Lovell Johnd Ltd Witne y Oxfo rd T: 01933 883161

legend

Documents

Kent Garden of England Country Tours