Pictures of Chiddingstone
in the county of Kent
About Chiddingstone
Fascinating village, owned by the National Trust which is crammed with beautiful properties from the 16th and 17th-century probably built with iron-industry money.
The village takes its name from the Chiding Stone, a large sandstone rock which is located beside a footpath in the park of Chiddingstone Castle. Legend has it that centuries ago nagging wives were brought to the stone to be chided by the village population.
Close to St.Mary's church which was built mainly in the 17th-century, you can see a fabulous group of houses which are characteristic of Kentish architectural style, with half-timbering, colour-washed plaster-work, tile hangings, wide eaves, gables, steep pitched roof and tall chimneys. Sadly, the houses we see today are all that is left of a larger village which was demolished to make way for the romantic parkland surrounding Chiddingstone Castle. For centuries the castle and the village was owned by the Streatfield family until the death of Denys Bower in 1977. The castle and park are open to the public, and although you can take pleasure in admiring much of the village, none of the houses are open to public view.
The village is set in outstanding Kent countryside within easy reach of Hever Castle and Penshurst Place. Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Penshurst Place is a handsome 14th-century manor house which has been the home of the Sidney family since 1552. Both properties are open to the public and make a worthy addition to a day visiting Chiddingstone.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Chiddingstone
| Chiddingstone Castle | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) | Pictures |
| Hever Castle | (1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Penshurst Place and Gardens | (2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Chartwell | (4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Emmetts Garden | (4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Greathed Manor | (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Tonbridge Castle | (5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Knole House & Deer Park | (6.1 miles, 9.7 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve | (7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Ightham Mote | (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Ashdown Forest | (9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Down House | (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Bayham Abbey | (11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Marle Place Gardens | (11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Lullingstone Castle | (12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction N) | Pictures |
All attractions in ChiddingstoneAll attractions in KentComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Chiddingstone
Groombridge, in the county of East Sussex (5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction S)
In an area of attractive, outstanding villages, Groombridge with its 18th-century tiled cottages against the back-drop of a beautiful village green, stands out as being the very epitome of the perfect English village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Tonbridge, in the county of Kent (6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction E)
Fine streets show a rich variety of architecture including typical Wealden tile-hung properties, and handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings dominating the river scene.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Tunbridge Wells, in the county of Kent (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SE)
Also known as Royal Tunbridge Wells and only a short distance from London, this popular spa town gained a reputation as the place to see and be seen during Georgian Times frequented by royalty and fashionable members of aristocracy. It also happens to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Shipbourne, in the county of Kent (7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction NE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Oxted, in the county of Surrey (7.7 miles, 12.3 km, direction NW)
A walk around the village reveals a riot of attractive 17th and 18th century cottages all standing on a rise surrounded by pretty flower-filled gardens.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
East Grinstead, in the county of West Sussex (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction SW)
East Grinstead became notable following World War II for its Queen Victoria Hospital where remarkable plastic surgery operations were performed on badly burned servicemen.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Plaxtol, in the county of Kent (8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction NE)
This is a picturesque Kentish village at the centre of the counties hop growing fields. It has interesting Oast houses and a concentration of charming brick built cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Downe, in the county of Greater London (10.7 miles, 17.3 km, direction N)
In common with most of this region the history of Downe reaches down the centuries to the days of the Romans and William the Conqueror.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Brenchley, in the county of Kent (11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction E)
Brenchley is a beautiful "showpiece" village full of picturesque Tudor cottages, complimented by houses from the Regency and Victorian periods.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Eynsford, in the county of Kent (12.7 miles, 20.4 km, direction N)
This is a small town in the Darent Valley. Way back in the mists of history it was thought to be an important town, but is now...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mayfield, in the county of East Sussex (12.7 miles, 20.4 km, direction SE)
This is a tranquil, historic village lying close to the beautiful River Rother. The village stands on a ridge in a lovely rural location with panoramic views over the valley.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Fletching, in the county of East Sussex (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction S)
The village grew out of a Saxon settlement, near the spot of one of the entrances to Sheffield Park, now owned by the National Trust.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Meopham Green, in the county of Kent (15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction NE)
This is an attractive Kentish village lying to the south of Gravesend. It is picked out by its Windmill of 1801, which has been lovingly restored back to its original working order and is now one of the best preserved in Kent.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Reigate, a Historic Market Town in the county of Surrey (15.3 miles, 24.6 km, direction W)
This is a bustling part of the Surrey landscape, it is easily reached via the M25 from London and is right on the North Downs Way.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ticehurst, in the county of East Sussex (15.5 miles, 24.9 km, direction SE)
For a village worthy of a picture postcard, Ticehurst would be hard to beat. It is all enchanting white weatherboarded cottages hidden beneath russet tiles interspersed around a pleasant square with a church.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in KentComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Penshurst Station | (1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction E) |
| Hever Station | (2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction W) |
| M25 Junction 5 | (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction N) |
| M25 Junction 6 (Godstone Interchange) | (10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction NW) |
| London Gatwick Airport | (14.0 miles, 22.6 km, direction W) |
| London City Airport | (22.0 miles, 35.4 km, direction N) |
| Chiddingstone to London | (24.9 miles, 40.1 km, direction NW) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Chiddingstone
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Chiddingstone center |
| Hever Hotel | (1.3 miles, 2.0 km, direction NW) |
| The Langley Hotel | (5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction E) |
| The Royal Oak Hotel | (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction NE) |
| Best Western The Rose And Crown Hotel | (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction E) |
| The Kings Arms Hotel | (6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction NW) |
| The Spa Hotel | (6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction SE) |
| The Moorings Hotel | (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction N) |
| The Royal Wells Inn | (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction SE) |
| Russell Hotel | (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SE) |
| Smart And Simple Hotels | (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SE) |
| All hotels in Chiddingstone |
