🏰 FREE SUNDAY HIKE – Discover Tudor Kent: Penshurst & Chiddingstone Adventure

Join us for a scenic circular countryside hike through the High Weald National Landscape, linking the historic villages of Penshurst and Chiddingstone. This is not just a countryside walk — along the route we will pass places connected with medieval, Tudor and early modern England, including buildings dating back several hundred years. 📍 Start & Finish: Penshurst Railway Station 🥾 Distance: Approx. 15 km pre-lunch hike ⚡ Pace: Steady medium 🏰 History Along the Route 🪨 The Chiding Stone One of the more unusual landmarks on the route is the Chiding Stone, a large sandstone boulder associated with a number of local legends. Tradition suggests that the stone may once have been used as a meeting or judgement place, with some stories connecting it to gatherings dating back to pre-Christian or pagan times. Whether all the legends are historically verifiable or not, the stone has been part of the folklore of the area for generations. 🏘️ Chiddingstone Village – Tudor & Stuart England One of the main highlights will be Chiddingstone, an exceptionally well-preserved historic Kent village. Much of the village retains the appearance of a traditional settlement from the 16th and 17th centuries, with timber-framed houses lining its picturesque main street. The village is now largely owned and protected by the National Trust, helping preserve its historic character. One particularly interesting building is the village shop and former Post Office, whose origins date back to around the 15th century. Walking through Chiddingstone can therefore feel a little like stepping back into Tudor England. ⛪ St Mary's Church, Chiddingstone We will also pass St Mary's Church. Records of a church at Chiddingstone go back as far as the 12th century, although the building has naturally been altered and rebuilt over subsequent centuries. It provides another reminder that people have lived, worshipped and travelled through this part of Kent for many hundreds of years. 🏡 Ancient Timber-Framed Houses Around the villages we should also see traditional timber-framed buildings, a distinctive feature of historic settlements throughout the High Weald. Many surviving buildings in this area reflect construction styles associated with the late medieval, Tudor and early Stuart periods. 🌾 Oast Houses & Rural Kent The landscape also contains traditional oast houses, originally developed for drying hops used in brewing. Their distinctive roofs became an important feature of the Kent and Sussex countryside, particularly as hop growing expanded in the region. ⛪ St John the Baptist Church, Penshurst As we pass through Penshurst, we will also see St John the Baptist Church, another important historic landmark within the village. Penshurst itself has a long history and retains much of the architecture and landscape associated with old rural Kent. 🌳 The Hike Starting from Penshurst Railway Station, we will head through open countryside towards Chiddingstone. The route includes a mixture of: Country footpaths Open fields Woodland tracks Quiet lanes Historic village streets Traditional Kentish countryside We should pass the Chiding Stone, enter historic Chiddingstone Village, visit the area around St Mary's Church, and continue through the surrounding High Weald landscape before making our way towards Penshurst and eventually returning to the station. We will also pass The Tulip Tree Tea Rooms in Chiddingstone. 🌄 The High Weald Much of our hike takes place within the High Weald National Landscape, an area known for its rolling countryside, ancient woodland, historic settlements, small fields and traditional rural character. Expect beautiful views across fields and woodland, together with lakes, old farm buildings and characteristic Kentish architecture. 🥾 Terrain & Fitness Although there are no major hills, this is still a proper countryside hike. Expect: Fields and rural footpaths Woodland and natural trails Quiet roads and lanes Gates and possibly stiles Uneven or muddy ground depending on the weather Gentle climbs and descents Walking/hiking boots recommended. 🎒 What to Bring Please bring: 🥤 1–2 litres of water 🥪 Lunch (post hike)/snacks 🥾 Suitable hiking footwear 🧥 Waterproof jacket 🧢 Clothing appropriate for the weather 💊 Any personal medication you may require Please check the weather forecast before travelling. 🚆 Public Transport The hike will start and finish at Penshurst Railway Station, making it accessible by public transport. Please allow sufficient time for your journey and arrive before the advertised start time. ⚠️ Important Group Rules Please stay with or behind the hike leader — this keeps the group together. We take regular catch-up pauses, especially after hills. This is a voluntary group; you are responsible for your own safety. No risk or liability is inferred or assumed. Be respectful to wildlife, land, and other trail users (cyclists/horse riders). Read our About Us section before joining: https://www.meetup.com/free-hiking-outdoor-fitness-and-social-activities You must be signed up for this specific Meetup event before attending. Please do not simply turn up without an RSVP. We value members who follow the rules and etiquette of the group. Repeated no-shows or last-minute cancellations may result in members being waitlisted for future events or removed from the group. 🌿 Come and explore historic Kent on foot — from a village with 15th-century buildings and Tudor-era streets to medieval churches, ancient legends and the beautiful countryside of the High Weald. 🥪 Lunch This is a pre-lunch hike. The plan is to finish by 2 pm max and go to a pub near the station to socialise and have drinks/lunch. 📱 Contact / If Late Message me on WhatsApp (no calls please) – I’ll be leading/navigating once the hike starts: 07830 374 629