The Millenium Walk was created as a part of our three villages celebration of the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of Christ. The walk links the Parish churches of St Marys Goudhurst and Christchurch Kilndown.
Dowload a copy of the map and instructions .
Goudhurst Millenium Walk Map
This is the Millennium Walk which begins and ends at St Marys Church Goudhurst.
There are instructions for each stage of the walk - click on the numbers for information and directions.
Starting point St Mary's Church
This circular walk starts at the West Door of the Church. The route is well signed with marker posts and is a touch under 6 miles in length (3 miles to Kilndown so 3 miles back to Goudhurst. Good walking shoes are advised.
From the West Door of the church proceed to the gate.
For more information about St Marys go to St Mary’s Church - The Goudhurst & Kilndown Local History Society (goudhurstlocalhistorysociety.org)
Star and Eagle
To the left of the gate is the attractive mock—Tudor front of the Star & Eagle Inn. Its licence dates back to the reign of Charles I.
Church House
Across the road is Church House, once a master weaver's house, a barracks during the Napoleonic Wars and at one time a coffee house.
In the basement William Rootes had a cycle repair shop - the origin of the Rootes Motor Group.
Former Market Square
This area of the village is the site of the former Market Square held under licence granted by Richard II.
Here also was where in 1747 the Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers was repulsed.
The full story is available in the Weald of Kent Gallery.
Next door is the former workhouse - now a Post-Office and flats.
Go down the High Street
As you descend you should note that on the left hand side you are looking at the former backs of the houses!
The Old forge
Next to Burgess‘s Stores, a shop that has survived changes for over 150 years, is the site of the former forge, still indicated by its spreading chestnut tree.
More information can be found at:
Goudhurst Pond
Cross the road to the pond where the horses and oxen were watered after a long pull up the hill - no tidy grass, seats or rails then!
War Memorial
With great care cross the road to the War Memorial, (Were any local families untouched by the loss of so many young men?).
Go down the driveway to the stile then in a few yards pause to admire the view.
Continue down the field
Continue down the field, climb the stile into the wood and follow the track to the road.
Towards Crowbourne
Cross the road, then forward along the private road in front of the cottages, bear left and at the iron gate turn right and follow the track as far as the farmyard by Crowboume.
Into the farmyard
Turn right into the farmyard and follow a good track for ‘A mile until reaching a T-junction.
Cross diagonally to the right, to a stile beside a wooden farm gate.
Follow the track
Turn right into the farmyard and follow a good track for 1 mile until reaching a T-junction. Cross diagonally to the right, to a stile beside a wooden farm gate.
Climb the stile
Climb the stile and follow the hedge to the right, then at the bottom of this field, once a hop garden, turn left.
Keep the hedge to the right
Keep the hedge to the right and in 150 yds climb the stile.
Watch for the gap
Now watch for the gap in the conifer hedge, go through, climb the stile, turn left and go on the main road (A262).
Cross the A262
Cross this busy road with great care to the Green Cross Inn and, depending on the time of day or mood, pass by as far as the signed road to Finchcocks. Before the railway closure this was the location of the level crossing, railway station and goods yard, also a war-time check point.
Walk forward
>Walk as far as the junction with another private road then bear to the right and cross the bridge keeping along the road for 1 mile to the point where it turns 90° to the right.
Round the corner climb the style
Just round the corner to the left climb the stile and head diagonally uphill keeping the distant house in view.
Halfway along the path a fine view of Finchcocks appears to the right.
At the top
At the top near the house climb the stile then another stile across to the left. Keep directly ahead along the path until the road is reached just beyond Hillside Cottage.
Walk along the road
Walk along the road into Kilndown to Christ Church, a fine example of Gothic Revival.
Opposite in a tranquil natural setting is the quarry from which the sandstone for the church was taken.
The Quarry Pond was restored to celebrate Queen Elizabeth‘s Silver Jubilee in 1977.
This is the exact halfway point of the walk and an ideal place to rest.
Now retrace your steps
>Now retrace your steps to Hillside Cottage but pass it along the road to continue the circular route.
Pass Gatehouse on your right, go round a sharp 90° turn of the road to the right and on to a left hand bend of the road.
Round the bend turn right onto the footpath
A little way round the bend turn right onto the footpath. The concrete roadway continues to the former farm buildings, now converted to dwellings.
Follow the track round the boundary and head for the white metal gate at the bottom of the field.
Go through the gate
Go through the gate, turn left and on to the bottom of the field, then turn right keeping the hedge to the left until the hop garden. There follow the track to the stile and steps in the bank.
Cross the Stile
Cross the stile, bear a little left to the left up the slope and head for a white metal gate.
From here continue along the concrete road and in ‘A mile arrive at Pattenden Manor and a fairly busy road (Try to get a glimpse of this Kentish Hall House).
Turn left along the road
Here turn left along the road over the bridge to a footpath signed to the right.
Turn into a wide entrance, climb the stile and in 50 yds climb another stile.
Continue ahead
Continue ahead, join a made-up road as far as a large converted oast, there turn left with the hedge to the left until in a short distance you reach Smugley Barn.
Follow the rough path
Now follow the rough path close to the fence until reaching a good track of concrete railway sleepers and turn right.
The path follows a stream to the left, then cross it. Carry straight on as far as four individual houses.
Follow the High Weald Walk
From here the Millennium Walk shares the route of the well signposted High Weald Walk as far as the Church.
At the houses follow the private road up to Bedgebury Road then turn right uphill.
Climb the rough path
On reaching the bank climb the rough path, then turn left for a few yards and turn right up a short flight of stone steps.
Climb the steps
Climb the steps then continue with the Church in view. Halfway there, pause, turn round and absorb the beauty of the view.
On reaching the road cross a little to the right and ascend the stone steps and path leading to the West Door.
Turn left along the road
Here turn left along the road over the bridge to a footpath signed to the right.
Turn into a wide entrance, climb the stile and in 50 yds climb another stile.
Go through the gate
Go through the gate, turn left and on to the bottom of the field, then turn right
keeping the hedge to the left until the hop garden. There follow the track to the stile
and steps in the bank.