Kent Ramblers: Walk 145

Matfield and Brenchley

Distance:          7.7 Miles (3.5 Hours)

OS Map:           Explorer 136 (Start at TQ657418)

Click map to enlarge and click again to enlarge further

There is a parking area at side of green furthest from road.

From parking area head for nearest corner of green and take track to right of sports pavilion.  At end of fence on the right, take path through gate between fences.  After a couple of hundred metres go over stile on left and bear right across field to copse (aim for electricity pole).  Through copse, cross another field diagonally right downhill to stile (which needs mending and some new waymarks) and go through stretch of woodland.  Cross short meadow uphill to Bramble Reed Lane.  Turn right and after a few metres take path on left climbing through woodland (fine wood anemones and bluebells in spring) then bearing left along right hand edge of an orchard (note that this is different from the route shown on Ordnance Survey Explorer map).  At lane (Romford Road), turn left uphill following High Weald Landscape Trail for 200 metres to parking place on right where HWLT goes into wood.

Turn left along track, go between buildings at Three Towns Farm then straight across orchard to stile in corner of hedge.  Over stile, bear left between fences and follow path along left hand side of field divided into paddocks, soon descending to go through plat (cob nut orchard) to footbridge over stream.   Across second footbridge go into field (obstructed by electric fence at time of writing), climb straight up to stile and follow rough track uphill through gate to asphalt track near buildings.  Cross track at corner, go up bank into field, turn right along bottom, and go over stile.  Initially follow hedge but be bear gently left uphill to stile at left hand end of line of oaks.

Go along left hand side of field, turn right at corner and halfway along next side go through gate on left.  Follow sometimes overgrown track to Maidstone Road.

Turn right and just after building take path on left, initially alongside hedge on left then straight across field to hedge.  Turn left and soon (after house) take path through hedge on right to Sophurst Lane.  Turn right along lane and at bottom turn right up concrete farm track past stables at Becketts Grove Farm.  Just after last shed on left, go round large metal gate and follow path between fences along edge of woodland.  Follow path left through wood to Cryals Road and turn left downhill.  As road bears left at bottom, take path into woods on right.

Cross drive, climb steps and bear right uphill along right hand side of field.  As path levels out, turn sharp left along grassy track with view of Brenchley church straight ahead in distance.

At crossing of paths (by first hedge on left) turn right.  At T junction turn left.  Continue into orchard, at tall hedge bear right along track beside hedge and follow to end.  Turn left (for 100 metres) and go over stile on right.  Follow path between fences to gate.  Go through and then straight ahead along right hand edge of orchard then bear right for a few metres and left along hedge.  On approaching corner go right through hedge and left to Tong Lane.

Turn left.  Go straight ahead at first junction (with Marle Place Road).  Head down hill and turn right at bottom along Spout Lane.  Take first path on left (WT 307) opposite third house.  Walk along valley keeping to right hand side, passing orchards and lake.  On reaching wooden footbridge, cross and follow path uphill between fences, eventually joining farm track down to lane.

Turn right then left at junction past Halfway House pub.  As road levels out a little, just after 30 mph sign, take path up brick steps on right and climb across field to Horsmonden Road.  Turn right uphill to Brenchley church and village facilities.

Go through churchyard, keeping left and taking path heading down the top of a bank above Horsmonden Road.  On descending to road at junction, keep right and take path first on right along track that is initially asphalt but soon just stony (between buildings of former Gate House Farm).  In due course follow stony track round to left, past pond, then uphill and bearing right between hedges to Tibbs Court Lane.

Turn right up lane and at first left hand bend take path on right downhill to Petteridge Lane.  Turn right but soon take bridleway on left between fences and emerging onto Brenchley Road.

Turn left but very shortly take first ungated track on left and follow between fences.  On emerging into open field planted with blackcurrant bushes go forward to where hedge on right protrudes into field – path strictly goes across field but if hard to find then follow right hand edge instead.  Either way continue along right hand edge until Matfield comes into sight.  Take path between houses to reach green at Matfield where there are pubs or seats on green for eating sandwiches.