Take a country walk near Biddenden, Kent :: Country walks :: UK walks

PR Three Chimneys pub, Biddenden, Kent - Take a country walk near Biddenden, Kent - Country & travel - allaboutyou.com

When Napoleonic prisoners of war were held at nearby Sissinghurst Castle, the Three Chimneys pub stood at the crossroads that marked the outer limits of the officers’ “parole”, or licence to walk out freely. They gave the 15th-century building its name – a corruption of “trois chemins” or “the three ways”.

Retrace the officers’ scenic stagger home by parking in front of the Three Chimneys (01580 291472), easily visible just north of the A262 between Biddenden and Sissinghurst. (The nearest bus is the no 12 from Maidstone to Tenterden, which stops outside The Weavers pub in Biddenden). Take the lane to the left of the beer garden for 500m until you see a small pond to your left.

Opposite this, just past the drive to Bettenham Barn, is a hard-to-spot stile, which is a right of way. Follow the path northeast across fields, a stream and a lane until you reach a row of trees. Continue down the left-hand side of these trees, keeping the spire of Frittenden church ahead to your right, until you reach a small bridge over the Hammer stream. Beyond more fields you’ll reach Brissenden Farm. Turn left into the lane and follow it to a T-junction.

Cross over to a bridlepath directly ahead. Follow this for 2km uphill until a track crosses the bridleway by a small farmhouse. Turn left here, picking up a footpath which runs parallel with the track, but on the other side of the hedge. This takes you, via the car park, to Sissinghurst.

Pick up the track again downhill past the left-hand side of the castle and head northwest. After 500m you’ll hit a lane. Turn right here, past a small pine plantation and Bettenham Manor on your left. Continue until you’re back at the Three Chimneys. Relax with a pint of dry cider, as refreshing and heady as a pale white wine.

Adapted from 'Pub Walks in Kent' by David Hancock (Power Publications, £4.95).

Need a map? Ordnance Survey Landranger 188 TQ 827/388