The orchards of Kent
Start your day with a walk through the countryside surrounding Plaxtol, taking in views of Ightham Mote, a moated mediaeval manor house. Spend time in Plaxtol with its traditional cottages from the 14th and 15th centuries located in the heart of the village, where you can take a stroll to the community orchard, known as The Garratt. The remnant of an ancient orchard with new plantings, it boasts the cobnut, cherry plum, pear, apple and blackberry. Spend your afternoon at Knole, originally an Archbishops Palace, passed through Royal hands to the Sackville family in 1603, whose family still reside to this day. Culture and heritage is in abundance as you wander through the Kent Downs.
- 1 day
- Plaxtol
Itinerary details
Here's a taste of your next experience.
The orchards of Kent
Start your day with a walk through the countryside surrounding Plaxtol, taking in views of Ightham Mote, a moated mediaeval manor house. Spend time in Plaxtol with its traditional cottages from the 14th and 15th centuries located in the heart of the village, where you can take a stroll to the community orchard, known as The Garratt. The remnant of an ancient orchard with new plantings, it boasts the cobnut, cherry plum, pear, apple and blackberry. Spend your afternoon at Knole, originally an Archbishops Palace, passed through Royal hands to the Sackville family in 1603, whose family still reside to this day. Culture and heritage is in abundance as you wander through the Kent Downs.
Shipbourne circular walk
This circular 5 mile walk includes views of National Trust’s Ightham Mote, a fine example of a moated medieval manor house. Plus, a small Roman corridor villa where a bath house was discovered, in the village in the 19th century, when excavations revealed a bronze statuette of Minerva.
Shipbourne circular walk
The Papermakers Arms or Plaxtol Village Store
The Papermakers Arms in Plaxtol, is a friendly country pub and restaurant offering great food using local and seasonal produce, wherever possible and has an excellent choice of carefully selected beers, wines and gins!
Plaxtol Village Stores offers a range of local produce gives you the chance to create a picnic to enjoy outdoors.
The Papermakers ArmsPlaxtol Village Store
Knole Park – wildlife and heritage at Knole
Be part of a 400-year history of visiting Knole. Knole was originally built as an archbishop’s palace. This 600 year old estate takes in grand courtyards, tranquil Orangery and winding parkland which are still populated by wild deer.
Knole Park
The Chaser Inn, Shipbourne or The Pough, Ivy Hatch
Pub classics are served at The Chaser Inn, such as bangers and mash, beer battered fish and chips, plus vegetarian and vegan dishes.
The Plough in Ivy Hatch is a country pub offering British food with a modern twist. Dishes include braised ox cheek, butternut squash veloute and pineapple cheesecake.
The Chaser InnThe Plough Ivy Hatch
The Little Forge Apartment, Plaxtol or glamping in The Nut Plat Retreat, Tonbridge
The Little Forge Apartment (£) is a self catering maisonette, with three bedrooms offering king-size, twin and single with trundle.
The Nut Plat Retreat (££) in Tonbridge, offers glamping in a fully restored van or a bespoke wood cabin, complete with kitchen, bathroom facilities, fire pit and bbq areas.
The Little Forge ApartmentThe Nut Plat RetreatTravel
Train – The nearest train station to Plaxtol is Borough Green, its’s 2 miles away on the London Victoria Line. Sevenoaks and Tonbridge are over 6 miles away.
Bus – Bus numbers 220, 221 (Aviva), 222 (Autocar) and 404 (Go-Coach) service Plaxtol.
Parking – Plaxtol has several car parks.