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Home> Walks> England> Kent> Hadlow's folly

Hadlow's folly

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Walk directions

From the centre of the village walk north beside the A26. Just past a pond take the footpath right, signed 'East Peckham'. Walk across a field and take the left-hand field-edge. Cross a stile and walk ahead across an orchard. Go through a gate and you will see Goblands Farm in front of you.

Turn left along the road, then take the footpath on the right, over a little bridge and into a field. Turn left and walk along the field-edge, then cross a tiny bridge into the next field. Go straight ahead and cross another field walking in the direction of an oast house. Cross a stile and another small bridge and walk across the next field to a stile. Continue in this direction over two more stiles, then go through a garden and onto the lane.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Field-edges, woodland tracks, some road, several stiles
  Landscape  - Pleasant views over the Weald, and lots of oast houses
  Dog friendliness  - Several sections where dogs can be off lead
  Parking  - On-street parking in Hadlow
  Toilets en route  - Court Lane, Hadlow
Walks in Kent Dog-friendly walks in Kent
About the walk
One feature dominates the landscape on this walk and you'll see it as soon as you arrive in the village. It's the enormous tower built in the early 19th century by local eccentric Walter Barton May as an extension to Hadlow Castle. It's not particularly decorative but it is one of the largest and...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

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About the area
Kent is home to the White Cliffs of Dover, an English icon that marks the point where the Kent Downs AONB stretches from the Surrey Hills down to the sea. Visitors can explore historic parklands, including Knole Park and Sir Winston Churchill’s former home at Chartwell, or beautiful nature reserves, such as the coppiced woodlands of Denge Wood and Earley Wood and the ancient fine chalk woodland of Yockletts Bank.
Explore Kent
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
Camden Arms
★★★★
awardaward
"On the village green, family-run inn where old and new combine well..."
  • Rooms 15
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Bed & Breakfast
The Russell
★★★
award
"Very conveniently situated for the centre of town...."
  • Rooms 26
  • Free TV
  • Lounge with TV
  • Open parking
Inn
The Royal Wells
★★★★
awardaward
"A fine inn that played host to Princess Victoria on many occasions...."
Nearby places to stay
Camden Arms
Located in a central position and just a couple of minutes' drive from Royal Tunbridge Wells, this inn offers comfortable, well-equipped accommodation with LCD TVs, free WiFi throughout...
★★★★    Rating
The Russell
The Russell is a detached Victorian property just a short walk from the town centre. The generously proportioned bedrooms in the main house are pleasantly decorated and well equipped. I...
★★★    Rating
The Royal Wells
In an elevated position at the top of Mount Ephraim, yet a short stroll from Tunbridge Wells centre, The Royal Wells is a grand old Victorian building visited by Queen Victoria when she...
★★★★    Rating
Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells
Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells is an impressive Grade II-listed building that dates from 1762, and, as a princess, Queen Victoria often stayed here. The spacious bedrooms are available in...
★★★★    Rating
Thriftwood Country Park
Thriftwood Country Park is a beautiful and tranquil leisure park in Sevenoaks. With its open spaces, heated outdoor swimming pool, a clubhouse and plenty of woodland walks, this is a gr...
★★★★★    Rating
Sandhole Barn
Sandhole Barn provides a comfortable and convenient base for a relaxing short break in the Kent countryside. It is ideally situated to explore the many local attractions or to visit Lon...
★★★★    Rating
Sandhole Barn
Sandhole Barn provides a comfortable and convenient base for a relaxing short break in the Kent countryside. It is ideally situated to explore the many local attractions or to visit Lon...
★★★★    Rating
One Warwick Park Hotel
One Warwick Park Hotel is just a few minutes' walk from the Pantiles of Tunbridge Wells, and offers a choice of stylish bedrooms; some in the main building and some in annexes alongside...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Camden Arms
The Kentish Hare
The Kentish Hare
   AA Rosette Award
Bowleys at The Plough
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Camden Arms
The Kentish Hare
The Kentish Hare
   AA Rosette Award
Bowleys at The Plough
   AA Rosette Award
The Counter by Robin Read
   AA Rosette Award
Thackeray's
   AA Rosette Award
Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Fishmarket by Sankey's
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
2hrs
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Moderate


Distance:
5.5 miles (8.8kms)

Ascent:
262ft (80m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
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Hadlow's folly

Recommended by
Walk details
2hrs
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
5.5 miles (8.8kms)
Ascent:
262ft (80m)
Walk directions

From the centre of the village walk north beside the A26. Just past a pond take the footpath right, signed 'East Peckham'. Walk across a field and take the left-hand field-edge. Cross a stile and walk ahead across an orchard. Go through a gate and you will see Goblands Farm in front of you.
1 of 6

Turn left along the road, then take the footpath on the right, over a little bridge and into a field. Turn left and walk along the field-edge, then cross a tiny bridge into the next field. Go straight ahead and cross another field walking in the direction of an oast house. Cross a stile and another small bridge and walk across the next field to a stile. Continue in this direction over two more stiles, then go through a garden and onto the lane.
2 of 6

Turn left, cross the main road (A26) and go through the gate of Goose Green Farm. Follow the driveway, go through another gate, bear left past The Barn and turn right to follow the footpath across a field. On reaching woodland, turn left beside the trees, then take the path right through the wood. Exit the trees, keep ahead, passing to the right of poly tunnels, and follow the path up into West Peckham.
3 of 6

Walk across the village green to the top left-hand corner. Go through a kissing gate and follow the signs for the Greensand Way. Follow the track and go round to the right of a cottage and through a gate. Walk right round the edge of a field to a gate. At the road, go left for a few paces, then right along a wide track between fields.
4 of 6

Bear right at a junction of paths, then where the Wealdway goes right, turn left and walk down to the gates of Oxen Hoath. Walk past the house, cross a cattle grid and walk ahead keeping the pond on your left. Go through a gate, walk ahead along the field-edge to another gate, and then go through a third gate and on to the road.
5 of 6

Follow the road ahead then turn left, signposted for The Common. Just before you reach some old cottages take the lane on the right. Follow this, go through a gate and then turn left and walk along the edge of a field. Cross a stile and go through a kissing gate on to the road. Turn right and walk back into the village.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Field-edges, woodland tracks, some road, several stiles
  Landscape - Pleasant views over the Weald, and lots of oast houses
  Dog friendliness - Several sections where dogs can be off lead
  Parking - On-street parking in Hadlow
  Toilets en route - Court Lane, Hadlow
Walks in Kent Dog-friendly walks in Kent
About the walk
One feature dominates the landscape on this walk and you'll see it as soon as you arrive in the village. It's the enormous tower built in the early 19th century by local eccentric Walter Barton May as an extension to Hadlow Castle. It's not particularly decorative but it is one of the largest and...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Kent
Kent is home to the White Cliffs of Dover, an English icon that marks the point where the Kent Downs AONB stretches from the Surrey Hills down to the sea. Visitors can explore historic parklands, including Knole Park and Sir Winston Churchill’s former home at Chartwell, or beautiful nature reserves, such as the coppiced woodlands of Denge Wood and Earley Wood and the ancient fine chalk woodland of Yockletts Bank.
Explore Kent

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
Camden Arms
★★★★
awardaward
"On the village green, family-run inn where old and new combine well..."
  • Rooms 15
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Bed & Breakfast
The Russell
★★★
award
"Very conveniently situated for the centre of town...."
  • Rooms 26
  • Free TV
  • Lounge with TV
  • Open parking
Inn
The Royal Wells
★★★★
awardaward
"A fine inn that played host to Princess Victoria on many occasions...."
Nearby places to stay
Camden Arms
Located in a central position and just a couple of minutes' drive from Royal Tunbridge Wells, this inn offers comfortable, well-equipped accommodation with LCD TVs, free WiFi throughout...
★★★★    Rating
The Russell
The Russell is a detached Victorian property just a short walk from the town centre. The generously proportioned bedrooms in the main house are pleasantly decorated and well equipped. I...
★★★    Rating
The Royal Wells
In an elevated position at the top of Mount Ephraim, yet a short stroll from Tunbridge Wells centre, The Royal Wells is a grand old Victorian building visited by Queen Victoria when she...
★★★★    Rating
Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells
Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells is an impressive Grade II-listed building that dates from 1762, and, as a princess, Queen Victoria often stayed here. The spacious bedrooms are available in...
★★★★    Rating
Thriftwood Country Park
Thriftwood Country Park is a beautiful and tranquil leisure park in Sevenoaks. With its open spaces, heated outdoor swimming pool, a clubhouse and plenty of woodland walks, this is a gr...
★★★★★    Rating
Sandhole Barn
Sandhole Barn provides a comfortable and convenient base for a relaxing short break in the Kent countryside. It is ideally situated to explore the many local attractions or to visit Lon...
★★★★    Rating
Sandhole Barn
Sandhole Barn provides a comfortable and convenient base for a relaxing short break in the Kent countryside. It is ideally situated to explore the many local attractions or to visit Lon...
★★★★    Rating
One Warwick Park Hotel
One Warwick Park Hotel is just a few minutes' walk from the Pantiles of Tunbridge Wells, and offers a choice of stylish bedrooms; some in the main building and some in annexes alongside...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Camden Arms
The Kentish Hare
The Kentish Hare
   AA Rosette Award
Bowleys at The Plough
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Camden Arms
The Kentish Hare
The Kentish Hare
   AA Rosette Award
Bowleys at The Plough
   AA Rosette Award
The Counter by Robin Read
   AA Rosette Award
Thackeray's
   AA Rosette Award
Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells
   AA Rosette Award
Kumquat Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby