A beautiful old pub called the King Henry VIII sits on the corner in front of where I was parked. Built in the Tudor style, it was actually built towards the end of the reign of Charles I, though the date on the building suggests Elizabethan. I popped in for a nose and a pint.
Opposite is the 12.c St. Peter’s church.
Within is the tomb of Sir Thomas Boleyn, the infamous father of Anne.
Behind the church and beyond the graveyard, a footpath takes one to Chiddingstone, once part of the Hever estate.
Meadow Starwort
Wild Garlic
Some of the route includes country lanes
I entered more woodland after crossing a little stream. A woodpecker could be heard busying theirself nearby.
Bluebells
Yew
Entwined roots of two Beeches
Rapeseed
Sweet Chestnut
Chiddingstone Castle eventually came into view.
Chiddingstone Castle is a Restoration style castle. It once stood in the middle of the High Street of the village. I was told a story by the proprietor of the town shop. It appears that in the 19th. century, the castle owners hated the village so much, that they extended their grounds to force the villagers to have walk around a wall, instead of pass the front door. I did notice that I passed a muddy track that was signed as High Street just before the castle.
I stopped at the tea room situated in a little courtyard.
Refreshed, I wandered along the path
and over the wooden bridge spanning a lake.
In the tiny village
is a 15th. century inn,
a 17th. century church
and the oldest shop in continuous use in the country.
Incredibly, I was able to get a carton of oat milk. In fact, everything the shop has by way of groceries, all good wholesome organic produce. I had a pint in the inn. The beer is brewed at the brewery that is just 500yds along the road. I got chatting to a lovely young barman who was interested in my lifestyle. He said that I could leave some leaflets with him. But, guess what? I forgot to bring any - again!