WALK4

Parish Church – Delaware – Parish Church11

2 HOURS • Three miles (4.8 km)Easy terrain with low hills, muddy in winter

This project is supported under the England Rural Development Programme by theDepartment for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the European Agricultural

Guidance and Guarantee Fund.

Edenbridge Town Council, Doggetts Barn, 72A High Street, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 5ARTelephone: 01732 865368 Fax: 01732 867866email: townclerk@edenbridgetowncouncil.gov.uk

South East

Explore Edenbridge

Walking can• Make you feel good.• Give you more energy.• Help you sleep better.• Help you reduce stress.• Keep your heart ‘strong’.• Reduce blood pressure.• Help to manage your weight.If you are free of serious healthproblems you can start walking more,with confidence. The health benefits of walking andother forms of physical activity will beenhanced by a balanced diet and notsmoking.General guidanceStart gently and build up at your ownpace.Wear comfortable shoes or boots,according to the description of thewalk and time of year.Wear clothing suitable for theweather conditions. Loose fittingclothing allows you to move morefreely – thin layers are better thanthick chunky clothing.Let someone know where you arewalking, and what time you are likelyto return.Do not walk if you are unwell or inpain.It’s a good idea to take a bottle ofwater with you.

• Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs.

• Leave gates and property as you findthem.

• Protect plants and animals and take yourlitter home.

• Keep dogs under control.

• Consider other people.

For more details, see

www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk

By train: Edenbridge Town station is on the London toUckfield line; while Edenbridge station (about 1 mile from thetown centre) is on the Redhill to Tonbridge line.National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50

By car: Edenbridge issituated on the B2026,south of the M25 (atjunction 6). From theA25 at Oxted, followthe B269 then theB2026 to Edenbridge. There is free parking inthe town.

Lying between the Greensand Ridge to the north and the High Weald

to the south, Kent’s River Edenmeanders through Edenbridge andsurrounding villages, towards itsconfluence with the River Medway atPenshurst. On either side of the riverlies tranquil farmland, broken by quietcountry lanes, whilst the rolling hillsand woodland conceal a wealth ofhistoric properties and beautifulgardens.Throughout thevalley there aremany Kentishtowns and villageswaiting to beexplored – such as Chiddingstone,Edenbridge, Hever and Penshurst –which are rich in heritage and havemany stories to tell. Medievalbuildings, coaching inns, courtyards,gardens and historic churches alloffer a step back in time. Exploring beyond the Kentish villagesyou will discover this is superbwalking country, with fine views,miles of footpaths and, for the moreadventurous, several long distanceroutes which cross the area.

If you are looking fora taste of history, localculture, fine eatingand drinking, orsimply to enjoy the

countryside, you’ll find yourself athome in Kent’s Eden Valley. Discovermore about the Eden Valley onwww.edenvalleykent.org which includes details on attractionsin the area, accommodation, whereto eat and drink, and otherinformation.

This leaflet describes andillustrates one of five walksproduced by Edenbridge Town

Council, with the support of theHidden Britain Project. The project isan initiative to encourage tourism, andto highlight lesser known areas of the countryside.The lych gate of the Parish Church ofSt Peter and St Paul provides thestarting point for this walk. There isfree parking available by the Churchand it is close to the town centre withits shops, pubs, a variety of places inwhich to eat, historic buildings(including the Eden Valley Museum)and the convenient EdenbridgeTown station. It passes Delaware Farm which stillbears an ornate west door dated1697, is about 3 miles (4.8 km) andtakes about 112hours. Parts of it canbe very muddy in winter and thereare 7 stiles.

The Countryside Code

The routes used are believed to be publicrights of way, unless otherwise stated.However, Edenbridge Town Council acceptsno responsibility for any error orsubsequent change.

Picture of Edenbridge (above right) © Sevenoaks District Council

Visit www.edenvalleykent.org

Start at Churchlychgate, follow

outside of Church wall,turn left at first set of irongates and throughCemetery One. Onopposite side turn rightdown path, throughkissing gate and out ofcul de sac (Churchfield).

Starts and finishes at Edenbridge Parish Church andcars may be parked near Church. Is about 3 miles (4.8 km), takes about 11

2 hours anduses SR604, 608, 559 and 612. 7 stiles. Parts can be very muddy in winter.

Text copyright: Edenbridge TC, Maps copyright: Arka Cartographics Ltd, Photography: Champion Photographic, Design, illustration, additional photograpy: Studio Q Art & Design Ltd, Print: The Advertising Designers

WALK 4Parish Church – Delaware – Parish Church

Turn left and keep to left of field, with river on right.When field edge bears left, keep straight on to meet

another hedge on left. Continue straight ahead throughgate to next field, with Church spire in distance.

Pass through kissing gate and bear right into field,with small pond on left and allotments on right.

Go up hill straight across field, passing to right of groupof trees (with a pond), to another stile. There are lovely

views over surrounding countryside. Continue for a shortdistance, keeping hedge on left, and turn right (SR559) atcorner of field, before stile. Cross field to right of derelictbarn. Over stile and cross River Eden with Delaware Farm to right.

Continue along track to concrete road, which bendsto left alongside a pond within the boundaries of the

dwellings. Continue a few yards to waymarking pole onleft. Take track toright at The Forge(SR612) andcontinue towardsgate. To right ofgate is a line ofconifers, with astile partiallyhidden by trees.Cross fielddiagonally toanother stile.

Keep to left hand hedge (with wire fence on right) tocorner. Turn right (SR608), continue ahead, keeping hedgeand Skinners Farm on left. Make for stile straight ahead.Continue through field along left hand edge, over widefootbridge, to kissing gate ahead.

Turn right and take trackimmediately on left overrailway (SR604).

Continue to walk on left of field (with hedge on left)following path through thicket and over railway footbridge.Over stile and across field, headingtowards farm buildings. Through threegates and follow track, to left offarm buildings, to kissing gate atbottom on right.

Cross field (headingtowards Church spire)and through kissing gate.Turn left alongside river, and cross by secondfootbridge (iron) back to Church.

[Delaware was the 15thcentury home of theSeyliard family (whohave memorials inEdenbridge ParishChurch). It was boughtby the Streatfeilds in thelate 17th century. The original substantialmoated medievalmansion was almostentirely replaced by thepresent house. Thebuilding still bears anornate west door withthe date 1679 inscribedupon it.]