insideKENT Magazine Issue 43 - October 2015 | Page 116
DAYSOUT
Edenbridge Walk
– Quaint hamlets, serene woodlands and great pubs
Set in the heart of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this walk is
quintessentially Kentish. As you wander through enchanting ancient woodlands to reveal
stunning views of the Weald, you’ll encounter quaint hamlets and historic manors on this
fantastic Kentish walk.
Beginning in the Marlpitt Hill area of the town,
this lovely walk leads you out through the
countryside to Broxham Wood, before returning
along field paths. The route passes a restored
moat that marks the spot where Broxham Manor
stood in the 13th century. The manor was rebuilt
and now stands opposite the moat, after twice
being damaged in fires.
You’ll start from Swan Lane and follow the
footpath past Marlpit Hill Allotments. Continue
through farm buildings to a metal gate and then
go through another immediately afterwards. Head
for another metal gate at end of field and bear
right towards a bridge and then a stile; cross the
stile and turn left to follow the path to the far left
corner then follow the right hand edge of field,
heading for white house to stile at end of hedge
line.
Edenbridge grew up at the Roman crossing point
of one of the River Medway’s key tributaries, the
River Eden, and is on the upper plain of the River
Medway. Cross the stile and follow the path
along to the gate. Pass through the gate and
continue along the road. Turn right and head
uphill on the road for 30 metres before turning
right onto a footpath just past Coakham Lodge
Farm.
Immediately after passing a bungalow cross the
stile on the left, and head for a stile in bottom
right corner of field. Continue ahead through a
metal, mesh gate into a field – often containing
a deer herd. Keep the trees to your left and
continue ahead until you reach a footbridge on
the left. Cross the bridge and continue to another
metal gate ahead.
Continue ahead, along the edge of the wood
until you come to a footbridge on your left. Cross
the bridge and follow the path through the woods
to another footbridge.
Cross the bridge and turn left. Follow the hedge
line to the bottom corner of the field and then
turn right to follow a fence line to a gate. Turn
left through the gate and walk down a gravel
drive. On your left you will pass a restored moat,
which marks the former site of Broxham Manor
during the 13th century. After passing the moat,
turn right and then left to cross a stile. Turn right
to follow the fence line towards the stile and gate.
Cross the stile and bear left to cross the field to
the gate. Turn right through the gate and head
for the gap in the hedge. Pass through the gap
and continue straight across the field to enter
wooded area. Cross footbridge to another gate.
Go through the gate and continue straight ahead,
with trees lined to your left. Follow the path,
bearing right to the stile and footbridge you
crossed earlier.
Head back along Swan Lane and check out The
Swan for a nice spot of lunch, a pint or a hot
chocolate in front of the fire for when the colder
weather sets in!
Location: Edenbridge TN8 6AL
Distance: 3 miles (4.83 km)
Time: Allow 2 hours
OS Explorer Map: 147
Terrain: Country lanes and woodland tracks
Parking: Edenbridge town centre and train station
Refreshments & facilities: There are a range of pubs
and teashops as well as a few public conveniences in
Edenbridge
To find out about other walks in Kent or )