Charing: Walking Trails, History and Village Culture

Charing lies on the lower slopes of the escarpment of the North Downs. This gives the village a combination of landscape experiences, a remarkable history and a varied selection of circular walks and walking routes. If you are planning a trip combining activity, village exploration and culture, you can bring together different ideas for days out in Charing without reducing the village to just one theme.

Walking Trails in Different Formats

The Charing West Lost Landscapes Walk uses a section of the North Downs Way National Trail. The Charing East Lost Landscape Walk ends with views near Charing Windmill. Both names refer to distinct ways of experiencing the landscape around Charing. A longer option is the Charing to Hollingbourne North Downs Way Rail Trail: the linear route is 10 miles long and follows the old Pilgrims’ Way towards Canterbury along green lanes.

The Rail Trail includes four railway stations between Charing and Hollingbourne and offers options for shortening the route at Lenham or Harrietsham. The section near Charing leads from the main car park at Charing railway station through Station Road into the village. This is particularly helpful for trip planning if you want to combine a longer route with further options for the course of the day. The walking route from Charing to Wye also follows a section of the North Downs Way. It follows an ancient routeway that has been used since prehistoric times.

Charing Palace and Medieval Traces

The history of Charing Palace and the associated manor house can be traced back to the 8th century AD. In the Middle Ages, the Palace served as representative accommodation for more than 50 Archbishops of Canterbury and their retinues. One particularly vivid historical connection takes us to the year 1520: at that time, Henry VIII stayed at Charing Palace with his first wife, Katherine of Aragon, and a large retinue, as the journey to France for the meeting known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold with Francis I of France lay ahead.

Palace Cottages and the adjoining remains of the gatehouse are listed as a Grade I monument. They formed the south side of the courtyard of the former manor house of the Archbishops of Canterbury. The gatehouse remains include stone passageways for carriages and pedestrians. These historical connections give a walk through Charing several layers of time, without limiting the village’s history to a single building.

Village, Church and Guided Discoveries

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul dates from the 13th century; its south chapel, porch and tower were added in the 15th century. The west tower is considered characteristic of Kent. Charing’s High Street also contributes to the historic appearance of the village: it forms a group of medieval buildings in the Kentish architectural tradition, including many timber-framed houses with later façades.

For a self-guided walk through the village, the Village Trail leaflet can be used. The Charing Heritage Trails are designed to include the area’s outstanding heritage features. Guided walks through Charing can be arranged for groups. For people who are able to manage the climb, such a walk can also include an ascent of the church tower; from there, views over the Charing area can be enjoyed.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Charing, the right base depends above all on the mix of activities you want to include in your days. For a trip focused on walking, the North Downs Way, the routes to Hollingbourne and Wye, and the various Lost Landscapes Walks take centre stage. Those wishing to place greater emphasis on culture and local history can include the history of Charing Palace, the church, the High Street and the Heritage Trails in their plans. A self-guided Village Trail and a guided walk offer different ways of getting to know Charing.

This combination is also useful for travel groups with different interests: while a longer linear route requires its own day plan, village history and architecture can be treated as an independent focus. When looking for a holiday apartment, therefore, consider which experiences should define your stay and whether you are mainly planning a walking route, historical discoveries or a combination of both.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

You can access further entries under these names: Crockenhill, Speldhurst, Lydd-On-Sea, Wye, Whitfield, Shadoxhurst, West Farleigh and Dymchurch.

To the main travel overview: Kent.