Discover this 2,0 year old yew tree the churchyard at Eastling. Daylight shine through its spli e trunk. s and fields towards Stalisfield and the highest point of your walk. Stop n is a here and look back; below you lies a magnificent vista, as the land gently falls away towards the coast. this, Continue past free-range pigs and chickens, down quiet lanes and bridleways, a through ancient woodland, towards Doddington, where Doughty the Butchers have plied their trade for generations. Climb the hill to the wildlife haven of Doddington churchyard, then stroll amongst gently grazing sheep to the lush landscaped gardens at Doddington Place. From here, follow the pine-scented woodland trail towards Sharsted Court and drop down the hill again to Newnham; opposite you rises a vineyard, planted on the site of an earlier Roman one. You can start at any point on the walk or just take part of it; we’ve included a shortcut that carves the walk in two. Each of the villages has a pub offering welcome refreshment and there are Doddington Place Gardens, Belmont and Sandhurst Farm Forge to visit. So why not spend a night or two in stnut the area and enjoy a welcome retreat from the busy world outside. n There’s a wide range of comfortable accommodation on offer in the guest-houses, hostels, pubs and B&Bs along the route, as well as self- catering cottages. Some extend a special welcome to walkers and cyclists and are accredited with Green Tourism awards in recognition of their exemplary environmental performance. Who knows, you might find you never want to leave. PEACE, SOLITUDE: Syndale A RURAL WAY OF LIFE valley walk faversham.org/walking NEWNHAM – EASTLING – STALISFIELD – DODDINGTON co.uk Peace, solitude: uk a rural way of life rd ome for “The winds will blow their Take a walk through an outstanding landscape of woodland, open grassland, fields and parkland; countryside so peaceful and timeless that you’ll think the nearest town is a m own freshness into you... hundred miles away, not just a stone’s throw. while cares will drop off This has been a place of human habitation since the ancient Britons – but despite this, like autumn leaves” you’re more likely to encounter an exuberant hare bounding across a meadow or a John Muir timid pheasant scuttling for cover than you are to meet another person. Instead, birdsong fills the air; wildlife inhabits the fields; silent birds of prey hang in the skies, watching and waiting, ready to swoop. This is also a working landscape – you’ll see evidence of traditional woodland management and organic farming as well as pasture for sheep and cattle. The many game- birds you’ll encounter on your walk are a reminder of long-established country traditions. Start, perhaps, in the village of Newnham, then walk through sweet chestnut coppiced woods, bright with bluebells in the spring, alongside fields which in autumn glisten with golden corn. Pause at Eastling to admire the ancient yew tree in the churchyard here or explore the village itself. Walk on again to find yourself on the open valley floor. On either side, the woods hug close, making the landscape feel private, secret – yours alone. Follow the line between wood and pasture, before cutting across d in This is an area rich in history, with evidence of ancient British settlements above Newnham, nd, and a Roman vineyard in the village itself. The villages and manor houses you see today in a mostly date from the 11th Century onwards, and the fine medieval churches include those at Eastling, Stalisfield, Doddington and Newnham. Parts of the tower at Eastling date ” from the 11th century, the nave dates from the 13th century, whilst much of the remainder of the building is from the 14th century. At Doddington, the rather short, weather-boarded church tower replaces one struck by lightning in 1642; at the time, the villagers could not raise the funds to build a proper replacement! Inside Doddington church, fine examples of early medieval wall paintings have survived the ravages of time and the Reformation, when much church decoration was destroyed or simply painted over. NG The many manor houses in the area are also evidence of its rich history; almost all of them were originally quite small houses which were extended and remodelled over their centuries of occupation. Sharsted Court, d-Kent for example, hides a 14th century Wealden hall house behind its Queen Anne facade. The Wealden hall anding house was a type built for wealthy farmers and landowners, and The Plough Inn at Stalisfield Green is eneath another example; these houses had a large, open central hall framed by wings at each end, where the llennia kitchens, family rooms and bedrooms could be found. Kent has more examples of this type of house than them; any other UK county. ns for The fact that there are several manor houses in the area is perhaps a legacy of the Kentish inheritance law of k takes “gavelkind”, which allowed for an estate to be divided equally amongst all the surviving children, rather than ape of being passed to the eldest son as feudal law required. This law survived here until the 1920s. nd and cing in are cut nd the over a History & 5). The on a , poles e-book with heritage nd dog- reas of Discover this 2,000 year old yew tree in the churchyard at Eastling. Daylight shines through its split e trunk. nd fields towards Stalisfield and the highest point of your walk. Stop s a here and look back; below you lies a magnificent vista, as the land gently falls away towards the coast. s, Continue past free-range pigs and chickens, down quiet lanes and bridleways, through ancient woodland, towards Doddington, where Doughty the Butchers have plied their trade for generations. Climb the hill to the wildlife haven of Doddington churchyard, then stroll amongst gently grazing sheep to the lush landscaped gardens at Doddington Place. From here, follow the pine-scented woodland trail towards Sharsted Court and drop down the hill again to Newnham; opposite you rises a vineyard, planted on the site of an earlier Roman one. You can start at any point on the walk or just take part of it; we’ve included a shortcut that carves the walk in two. Each of the villages has a pub offering welcome refreshment and there are Doddington Place Gardens, Belmont and Sandhurst Farm Forge to visit. So why not spend a night or two in nut the area and enjoy a welcome retreat from the busy world outside. There’s a wide range of comfortable accommodation on offer in the guest-houses, hostels, pubs and B&Bs along the route, as well as self- catering cottages. Some extend a special welcome to walkers and cyclists and are accredited with Green Tourism awards in recognition of their exemplary environmental performance. Who knows, you might find you never want to leave. PEACE, SOLITUDE: Syndale A RURAL WAY OF LIFE valley walk faversham.org/walking NEWNHAM – EASTLING – STALISFIELD – DODDINGTON FINAL PRE-PRINT SYNDALE LEAFLET 17/12/07:Layout 1 12/2/08 15:48 Page 1 Directory of local businesses ACCOMMODATION The Old Vicarage, Doddington VISITOR ATTRACTIONS Church Oast Cottage, Kingsdown #### highly commended Belmont House & Gardens, Throwley 01795 830222 www.churchoastcottage.co.uk 01795 886136 www.oldvicaragedoddington.co.uk 01795 890202 www.belmont-house.org ##### Frith Farm House, Otterden FOOD AND DRINK Doddington Place Gardens, Doddington 01795 890701 www.frithfarmhouse.co.uk Plough Inn, Stalisfield Green 01795 890256 01795 886101 www.doddingtonplacegardens.co.uk ##### Hazelhope Barn, Stalisfield Green Tea Room, Doddington Place Gardens Sandhurst Farm Forge, Newnham 01233 713806 www.hazelhopebarn.co.uk 01795 886101 www.doddingtonplacegardens.co.uk 01795 886854 www.sandhurstfarmforge.co.uk Palace Farm Hostel & Campsite, Doddington The Carpenters Arms, Eastling Key ### WW CW 01795 890234 www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs Visit Britain Green Tourism Award 01795 886200 www.palacefarm.com The Chequers Inn, Doddington Quality Award Palace Farmhouse B&B, Doddington ### 01795 886366 www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs WW CW Walkers Welcome and Cyclists Welcome 01795 886820 www.visitbritain.co.uk The George Inn, Newnham Accommodation that offers facilities for Sandhurst Farm Forge B&B, Newnham 01795 890237 www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs walkers and cyclists. ### The Tapster Bar & Bistro, Newnham Additional information on these classification 01795 886854 www.sandhurstfarmforge.co.uk 01795 890711 www.twokentvillages.org schemes is available at www.enjoyengland.com Other walks leaflets available: The Countryside Code Respect – Protect – Enjoy • A walk on the wild side If you follow the Countryside Code wherever you go, you will enjoy walking in Kent and help protect the countryside now and (Faversham – Davington – Oare – Luddenham) for future generations. • The peasants’ last revolt Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs. Leave gates and property as you (Boughton – Hernhill – Dargate - Dunkirk) find them. Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home. Keep dogs • Footsteps of Royalty and Romans under close control. Consider other people. (Faversham – Ospringe – Painter’s Forstal – Brogdale) For further information please visit www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk or Tel: 08451 003298 A Faversham Enterprise Partnership project Remember to always follow the Highway Code. For walking information: go to faversham.org/walking Telephone: 01795 534542 Visit: Tourist Information Centre, Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre, 10-13 Preston Street, Faversham, Kent ME13 8NS Endorsed by Explore Kent www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Design: Amber Designs [email protected] Copywriting: Carlton Eve www.carltoneve.co.uk Green Tourism Consultancy: Tribal Voice Communications www.tribal-voice.co.uk Photography courtesy of: Amber Designs, Dan Tuson, KCC, KTA, Kent Wildlife Trust, Rob Canis, Nathalie Banaigs The publisher cannot be held accountable for any inaccuracies contained within this leaflet © FEP 2008 “To see a world in a grain of sand, Flora & fauna And a heaven in a Syndale valley runs through an area of outstanding natural beauty and the wild flower” countryside here is a rich mix of woodland, pastures, arable fields and orchards.