# Kent Ramblers: Walk 128

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/banner_128.jpg)

## Points of Interest

### Goudhurst

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/P128c.jpg)

Prosperity first came to the village in the 14th 
						century when Edward III banned the import of cloth and 
						encouraged the establishment of a domestic industry by 
						allowing Flemish weavers to establish businesses across 
						Kent including at Sandwich and Goudhurst.

The weavers' cottages opposite the church date from 
						the 17th century.  The master weaver lived in what 
						is now Church House opposite the Star and Eagle inn.

Church House assumed a very different economic 
						significance in the early 20th century when the basement 
						was used as the workshop for William Rootes' cycle sales 
						and repair business which eventually turned to motor 
						engineering and in 1928 after various takeovers became 
						the Rootes Group.

### St Margaret�s Church�

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/p128b.jpg)

' was built in the 14th century to serve the 
						surrounding farms.  The village of Horsmonden then 
						grew up some distance away near the ironworks but 
						retained the old church to serve the residents.

### Sprivers

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/P128a.jpg)

Owned by the National Trust, the house dates from 
						1756, built by the Courthope family whose wealth came 
						from the Wealden iron industry, to replace a 15th 
						century house of the same name nearby.  Much of the 
						108 acres of parkland, orchards and woods is open to 
						walkers at all times but the house is let and not open 
						to the public although available for hire as a wedding 
						venue.

### Public Transport

Bus 297 from Tunbridge Wells to Tenterden, which runs 
						roughly every couple of hours except Sundays, visits 
						both Horsmonden and Goudhurst.

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