Hollingbourne: Walking Routes and Heritage

In Hollingbourne, walking and architectural history stand out as two clear themes. Several walking routes lead through the North Downs, which form part of the National Landscape. The local landscape also includes ancient bluebell woods and meadows. The North Downs define the landscape setting for the walking routes; the woods and meadows add specific natural features. Hollingbourne thus combines a sense of its landscape with specific themes to explore during a stay. When choosing where to stay, you can weigh up whether you mainly want to spend time on walking routes or are more interested in local timber-framed buildings and church history.

Walking Routes and Trails

The Hollingbourne East circular route is 8 miles (12.87 km) long, and the Hollingbourne West circular route is 6 miles (9.66 km) long. West is therefore two miles shorter than East. A section of the North Downs Way starts at Hollingbourne railway station and can be walked or cycled from there. The two circular routes can be compared by their total distance, while the railway station is the stated starting point for the section of the North Downs Way.

The Pilgrim’s Way, the historic route from Winchester to Canterbury, passes through Hollingbourne. North of Leeds Castle, National Cycle Route 17 can be used along the Pilgrim’s Way. This is a specific route option for travellers by bicycle. As a separate route option in the area around Hollingbourne, Hucking Estate has a waymarked Landscape Trail just over 4.8 km long. This separate trail in the surrounding area is shorter than both circular routes in Hollingbourne.

There are several ways to choose a route: the distance of the circular walks, the railway station starting point for the North Downs Way, and the route of the Pilgrim’s Way for National Cycle Route 17.

Timber-Framed Buildings and Church History

Eyhorne Street has several notable timber-framed buildings. Eyhorne Manor is a timber-framed house of the Wealden Hall House type and dates from around 1410. It is a Grade I listed building. The approximate date places the house in its historical context; Wealden Hall House identifies its architectural form, and Grade I its listing status. The timber-framed architecture can therefore be seen in several buildings along a named street and in one house with a clearly defined architectural form.

All Saints Church in Hollingbourne dates from the 14th century. The historic Culpeper Needlework can be viewed in the church by prior arrangement with Val Lurcock (tel. 01622 880694).

The walking and cultural themes give you a specific reason to consider Hollingbourne as a travel destination. Then compare possible hotel offers against your personal requirements for your stay. Check specific hotel details in the relevant offer.

Discover more destinations: Faversham, Clacton-On-Sea.

For the wider travel overview: East England.