Royal passion at Hever
Walk under the lychgate and go through the churchyard following the Eden Valley Walk. The path goes downhill, across a bridge and soon becomes a narrow path parallel to the road, offering occasional glimpses of the lake at Hever Castle. It might look as if it has always been here, yet it was created by William Waldorf Astor when he bought the castle in 1903. The path now bends round, goes through woodland, across another bridge and finally opens out.
Pass beside a gate at houses, bear right and take the Eden Valley Walk to the left of Bothy Cottage. Follow the fenced path to a road.
Cross over and continue along the enclosed path, which can get very muddy, crossing a stile and a footbridge. Ascend steps, join a gravel path and keep left at the junction, heading down to a gate and track at Hill Hoath.
From here you can choose to extend the walk and visit Chiddingstone, a tiny, picture book Tudor village owned by the National Trust. Walk ahead, pass the picturesque cottages, turn right at the end of the short track, then bear left to walk between farm buildings, passing two cottages on your left. Cross a stile, walk past a pond and keep ahead to a further stile and turn left then diagonally right across the centre of the field, heading up to the brow of the hill. You'll see Chiddingstone church peering down on you. Follow the path to the road. To continue along the main walk, now leave the Eden Valley Walk to turn back to the right and go through the gap by the large gate, so that you seem to be doubling back on yourself. In a few paces, cross the stile on the left and follow the path uphill to a further stile. Turn left along the narrow, fenced path, which leads you into woodland.
Keep ahead on reaching a junction of footpaths. Note that this can be exceptionally muddy. Continue down this track, passing through two areas of woodland until you come to a road.
Turn right here and walk to Wilderness Farm, then take the road that leads to the left opposite the farm. At another road turn right then right again along Pigdown Lane. In 0.25 miles (400m), cross the waymarked stile on the left and go straight down the field to go through a metal gate and cross a stile. Bear right along the field edge to double stiles.
Continue ahead, enter the next field, passing to the left of a pond, and maintain direction to a gate and road. Turn left then take the footpath on the right. Follow this back into Hever.
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
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