Eden Valley Walk
It is possible to complete the Eden Valley Walk in a single day, but many walkers prefer to take the route in stages, returning to enjoy the changing landscape throughout the seasons.
Follow the banks of the River Eden and the River Medway and along delightful paths and lanes, through the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the 15 mile (24km) Eden Valley walk.
The walk starts just outside Edenbridge and passes through the centre of the village, with its distinctive stone bridge. The history of the surrounding area and its people is celebrated in the Eden Valley Museum .
Pass through parkland, woodland, open fields and villages as well as alongside some of the county’s most architecturally interesting historic castles and houses. These include Hever Castle, Chiddingstone Castle, Penshurst Place and Tonbridge Castle.
Look out for one of Kent’s most attractive villages – Chiddingstone. Local beers are popular in the village which also has a reputation for its ghosts, which are said to include clock climbing Cavaliers and a headless coachman!
Like the historic castles and houses, Chiddingstone is regularly used as a film location and all are destinations for artists trying to recapture the past and quintessential Kent.
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) was filmed at Penshurst Place, featuring as Whitehall Palace, just a few miles from Hever Castle – the childhood home of Anne Boleyn.
Meanwhile, Tonbridge has one of the finest motte and bailey castle’s in the country. Visitors can explore the standing 13th century gatehouse in glorious grounds alongside the River Medway, which flows through the centre of the market town.
There is now a new guide to the Eden Valley Walk and other paths, recently published by Kent Ramblers, or why not loan a copy from Kent Libraries.
We recommend that you follow the route using OS Explorer Map 147 available free to borrow from Kent Libraries