Chiddingstone Area Guide

History

The beautiful Chiddingstone village in Kent is located within a wonderful rural setting on the River Eden between Tonbridge and Edenbridge. It is mostly owned by The National Trust - aside from the school, castle and church. It is a beautiful example of a Tudor one-street village featuring houses with half-timbered sides, gables and stone-hung red-tiled roofs. Over two thirds of the buildings in Chiddingstone are more than 200 years old. The large sandstone outcrop in the village known as the 'Chiding Stone' may have given the village its name. Apparently, wrong-doers were brought here and rebuked – or chided – by the massed villagers. The village of Chiddingstone Causeway and the hamlet at Chiddingstone Hoath are also included in the parish. The stunning Chiddingstone Castle dates back to the early 16th century Tudor period and has since been remodelled into a medieval style palace. The superb fortified manor of Penshurst Place is also closeby.

The nearest train station is at Penshurst with services to Redhill and Tonbridge for onward connections.

The Local Property Market Education Transport

Reigate, East Grinstead and the charming towns & traditional villages we cover are located within and around glorious countryside including the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the neighbouring Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The whole area is a premium property hotspot located conveniently to the south of London benefitting from excellent commuter services. Bespoke properties attract consistently high demand from committed and affluent purchasers resulting in excellent selling prices being achieved. Property values typically rise beyond the national average and reflect the sought-after nature and desirability of the area.

Property choices include idyllic timber-framed and thatched cottages, historic and period dwellings, Victorian and Edwardian villas, country houses and estates, executive townhouses, apartments, prestigious developments and some exclusive private road settings. There is also a wide choice of luxury and individual family homes including traditional, modern and new build architectural designs, many of which stand within impressive and substantial grounds.

Education

A key factor in the high demand for property within the area are the numerous highly regarded independent, private and state schools catering for all age groups. For information see the following links:

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sc...

https://www.kent.gov.uk/educat...

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/...

https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/...

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/sc...

Sport

Sport and leisure opportunities include walking, cycling and horse riding around the Surrey Hills and High Weald Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and along the North Downs Way, Greensand Way and Vanguard Way plus an abundance of woodland and local circular walks. There are plenty of golf courses within the area plus gyms and spas and a variety of sports clubs including cricket, tennis, football, rugby, hockey, bowls and croquet.

Transport

Transport links are excellent. The nearby M25 provides road access to the wider motorway network, Gatwick Airport and the other major international airports at Heathrow & Stansted whilst the M23, A217, A22 and A21 link with the M25 for journeys towards and around London and south towards Brighton and the south coast. There is excellent commuting by train and depending upon your choice of station, available destinations include London Bridge, London Victoria, Gatwick, Reading, Brighton, Peterborough, Redhill, Tonbridge, Horsham & Uckfield.

See our other Local Area summaries for a flavour of the character of our towns and villages.