Cycling Tudor Trail Cycle the
Regional Cycle Route 12, known as the Tudor Trail, runs from Tonbridge Castle to Hever Castle. It offers an excellent ride from the heart of Tonbridge alongside the River Medway, out into the countryside past the glorious buildings of Penshurst Place, through the delightful village of Chiddingstone, past Chiddingstone Castle and on to Hever Castle. This wonderful cycle ride takes
you past playing fields on the edge of Tonbridge and into Haysden Country Park, running around the edge of Barden Lake with its wide variety of birdlife. Shortly after passing beneath the A21 you enter a delightful secret kingdom of lush broadleaf woodland carpeted with wildflowers in the spring, and a delight in autumn as the colours change. The first noticeable climb of the day comes between the bridge over the River Medway and Well Place Farm giving you wide- ranging views of the surrounding countryside and setting you up for a fine descent past two lakes to arrive at Penshurst Place, the finest and most complete example in England of 14th-century domestic architecture. On leaving Penshurst Place the ride skirts round part of
Penshurst Village and heads due west on the second climb, a gentle incline to Wat Stock giving fine views of the Kent countryside. From here the route joins quiet lanes leading to one of the prettiest villages in Kent, and perhaps England, Chiddingstone which is a fine example of a Tudor one-street village. Just outside the village the route passes a footpath which
leads to the Chiding Stone - a large carved sandstone boulder - from which the village gets its name. The popular tale is that either nagging wives or wrong-doers were brought to the stone and 'told off' - or chided - by the assembled village. It is also believed to be an old Saxon boundary marker and a Druids' altar. There is no strong evidence to support or disprove any of these theories and, indeed, either all or none may be true.
The route continues round to Chiddingstone Castle which can be traced back to the early 1500s. On passing the castle, the ride continues along quiet lanes to then join the Hever Castle estate, following the access road and route via the King Henry VIII pub to arrive at the castle entrance. Hever Castle has a fascinating history, particularly its links to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, its mazes, elegant gardens and a beautiful lake. Tonbridge Castle to Hever Castle: This route is
mostly off road to Penshurst Place and then a mixture of quiet country lanes and bridleways to Hever Castle.
When off road, do expect potholes and small cracks. Routes do go through a working farm and so occasional farm traffic should be expected. Do take care on the road. For more cycle routes, information on cycling in Kent
or to download the ‘Explore Kent by Bike’ guide, visit
www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent or call 08458 247600.
Overview
Information Location: Tonbridge Castle, Castle Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BG
Distance to Penshurst Place: 5 miles (8km) allow 1 hour, 15 minutes (almost entirely traffic free) Distance to Hever Castle: 10miles (16km), 2 hours, 30 minutes OS Explorer Map: 147 Parking: Tonbridge Castle or the leisure centre behind the castle, fees apply Refreshments and facilities: There are various pubs en-route and cafes and a restaurant at Hever Castle serving a selection of light meals and cakes.
16 Mid Kent Living
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