## Kent Ramblers: Walk 35 — Matfield and Kent College

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/banner_035.jpg)

## Points of Interest

### Matfield 

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/P035a.jpg)

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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