Matfield And Kent College

Kent Ramblers: Walk 35 — Matfield and Kent College

Points of Interest

Matfield 

Matfield has the largest village green in Kent.
The beacon by the duck pond dates only from 2000; it was lit for the millennium and again for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. At its north end the green is overlooked by the elegant Matfield House, built in 1728 in the Queen Anne style. The fine stable block is topped by a splendid clock tower bearing the advice to 'mind the time'. There are many other fine weatherboarded and tile-hung houses around the green and a pub at each end. The sports pavilion was finished in 2014 after its predecessor was destroyed by fire.The name derives from 'Matta feld' ' the large clearing farmed by Matta.

Pembury Old Church

Adjacent to Kent College and quite some way from Pembury which also has a newer church, old St Peter's was mainly built by John Colepepper of Bayhall in 1337 although some parts may date back to 1147 or earlier.

Kent College

Kent College is an independent day and boarding school for girls.

Cinderhill Wood

Cinderhill Community Woodland consists of both woodland and heathland – an increasingly rare habitat in Kent. During the summer of 2021 the heathland was grazed by Jacob sheep to help prevent the heathland becoming scrub and eventually woodland.
The site is looked after by the Kent High Weald Partnership with the help of volunteers. The name is a reminder of the iron industry that was prevalent in the area in Tudor times.

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