Tudeley and East Lock
Route facts
Waterways:
River Medway »
Distance: 4.47 / 7.2
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Circular route from: The Poachers Inn
A quiet circular walk through a rural landscape across farmland, down country lanes, along a section of the Medway Valley Walk, via East Lock.
An optional extension of the walk allows you to visit Tudeley church, with its stained glass windows by Marc Chagall.
En route you will see orchards, open fields and cross several foot bridges and pass by earth works near the River Medway bank side environment. Watch out for signs of otter and water vole, as well as kingfisher along the river section.
Points of Interest:
All Saints Church's; Tudeley Hale
If you do the walk in the morning and then have time, it is worth a visit, perhaps after lunch. The church, restored in the 1960s, has become famous among Wealden churches for the stained glass windows, designed by impressionist artist, Marc Chagall between 1966 and 1985. The church is about a half mile from the Poachers Inn. From the start of the walk turn left down the lane, over the rail bridge and bear left at the road junction, by the bus stop. For those too tired to walk, there is free car parking at the church.
Hartlake Bridge
In the heyday of hop farming and brewing in the area, Hartlake Bridge was one of the main crossing points of the river Medway. Around 1853, when the river was in flood, 30 hop pickers were drowned, when the horse drawn transport floundered on the weakened wooden bridge. There is a memorial at nearby Hadlow in memory of these itinerant workers. In 2004 this section of the Medway continues to suffer bank erosion as two arms of the river converge a short distance up stream.
East Lock
One of ten locks on the River Medway, inland waterway, East Lock is one of the most peaceful and unspoilt places to sit and watch the boats go by amid a meadow of wild flowers, favoured by several bird species.
Wartime pill boxes
If you are interested in our war time defences, you will find three of these war time structures along the Medway river section of the walk, two right by East Lock.
Getting there
Parking: Provided you take refreshment at the Poachers Inn and ask, you will be welcome to use the car park. The pub is a 2 mile drive east of Tonbridge, via the B2017 then left by the bus stop into Harlake Road. The Poachers is about a half mile along.
Public transport: Bus routes 205 and 297 stop at the corner of the B2017 and Hartlake Road, close by. More details of bus times from KCC travel line on 0870 608 2608.
Waypoints
1. The Potters Inn, Tudeley Hale, Kent
Over the footbridge and continue towards an orchard in sight. Just before reaching the orchard take the lesser footpath left (north) to continue alongside the orchard, which you will leave on your right hand side.
2. Hammer Dyke
Follow the gently curving path between the fence on your right and trees on your left to soon come upon Ford Green Bridge. At this point the Medway Valley Walk and the Weald Way cross one another. Although our route does not cross the bridge, it is worth the few strides onto the bridge to look up or down the River Medway and soak up the view and sound of bird song.
3. East Lock
Follow the River Medway (this is part of the Medway Valley Walk), keeping the river on your left until you come to an isolated pill box close to a road bridge; this is Hartlake bridge. Be prepared for construction work from September 2004 for about a year, while Hartlake bridge is rebuilt. Prior to works commencing, follow the path under the bridge, turn immediately right up to the road and turn right again to walk over the bridge. Take care and watch out for traffic. Once construction work begins you will be diverted to the right just before the pill box and will the have to cross the road and make your way around the bridge and down the far side to join the road; this will be clearly signed.
4. Hartlake Bridge
Turn right onto the tarmac road and retrace your steps to the Inn.
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