WALKS OF THE POACHER & PARTRIDGE No. 3

Pic 1: The ‘Public footpath’ signpost by the road

Pic 2: The footpath along the field

Pic 3: The footpath along the next field

Pic 4: The footpath along the orchard

Pic 5: Sherenden Farm

Pic 6: The crossroad with the main road close to The Poacher & Partridge

© Martin Zatrepalek, 2014

WALKS OF THE POACHER & PARTRIDGE No. 3

The Large Church Stroll

Walk overview:

Distance: 2 miles (3 km)

Time: 1 – 1.5 hours

Description: A medium length walk around local fields and countryside

finishing with a visit to the famous Tudeley Church.

The Poacher & Partridge

Hartlake Road

Tudeley

Tonbridge, Kent

TN11 0PH

www.thepoacherandpartridge.com

enquiries@thepoacherandpartridge.co.uk

Tel: 01732 358934

WALKS OF THE POACHER & PARTRIDGE No. 3

Leave The Poacher & Partridge, turn right and walk along the road for about

0.1 miles (150m) until a crossroad with a small road. Turn right onto the road

and keep walking along it for about 0.75 miles (1.2km) until a railroad bridge

(1) (the road bears right and left). Go under the bridge and continue along

the road uphill until a driveway into Bank Farm Stables on the right (2).

Turn onto the driveway and after 20 yards (20m) climb over a stile (3) on the

left (it’s marked by a ‘Public footpath’ stone). Climb over it and turn right

onto a footpath (follow ‘Public footpath’ arrow on the stile). Keep walking

straight along the footpath through the farm ground (the farm buildings are

on the right) and into the small woodland area until a turning gate. Go

through it and continue straight through the small field until a stile (4). Climb

over it and follow the footpath straight through the field (5) in the direction

of the church. At the end of the field, climb over a stile into the church

grounds and cemetery.

After exploring the church grounds and visiting the church with the famous

Marc Chagall windows (see walk no.1 for more information), leave the

grounds through the gate towards the road. Keep walking along the driveway

(6) until the main road, turn right and continue until the drinking fountain on

the left. Carry on straight onto the smaller road, over the railway bridge and

after 0.3 miles (500m) you will be back at The Poacher & Partridge.

All Saints' Church, Tudeley

All Saints' Church in Tudeley, Kent, England, is the only church in the world that has

all its windows in stained glass designed by Marc Chagall.

A place of worship has existed in Tudeley since the seventh century, then one of only

four in the Weald. The sandstone footings of the nave and tower may date from

before the Norman conquest, and the church is listed in the Domesday Book under

the village's alternative name of Tivedale. In 1293 the church was given to Tonbridge

Priory. The majority of the existing structure was created in the later medieval

period, during the 13th and 14th centuries. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries

in 1526, it came under the control of Christ Church, Oxford, and then in 1529 became

controlled by the Crown, before returning to private hands in 1548. Today it is part of

the Diocese of Rochester.

WALKS OF THE POACHER & PARTRIDGE No. 3

The structure was extensively restored and renovated from the late 18th century and

in 1765 it was rebuilt, largely in red brick at a cost of £1,125. Much of the earlier

stone shell of the chancel survives, as well as the lower walls of the nave and west

tower. Three bells were also cast at this time and hung in the tower, and the roof

topped with blue slate. The extant brick tower was constructed in 1765 and in 1798

the church was described as being rebuilt. In 1871-5 Robert Medley Fulford rebuilt

the nave and added the north aisle in Bath stone, and in 1885 the chancel arch was

constructed and the 1571 Fane tomb restored.

Source: www.wikipedia.org