Paddock Wood Station
About Paddock Wood
The South Eastern Railway opened a line from Redhill in 1842 and a station named Maidstone Road was built in a rural location to serve Maidstone, 8 miles (13 km) to the north. The village of Paddock Wood developed quickly around the station, which took the name Paddock Wood in 1844 when the branch line to Maidstone West was opened. The station is situated in the town centre.
The area has a long history in the hop and fruit growing industries.Hop pickers used to come on their annual summer ‘holiday’ to this area and spent the summer in the surrounding fields. Today, Paddock Wood continues to be a hub for the country’s hop growing industry and vegetable and fruit distribution.It supplies large national supermarkets, small real ale and cider makers as well as Europe.
Paddock Wood Railway station appears in the novel Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens where, in chapter 55, the character of Mr.Carker accidentally falls under a train at the station and is killed.
More information about Paddock Wood can be found by visting the Visit Tunbridge Wells website and searching for Paddock Wood. www.visittunbridgewells.com
Walks Around Paddock Wood
The Oasts and Orchards Walk is a 5.3 circular walk starting at Paddock Wood Station. The route will take you through the town into orchards, farmland and woodland.You will also pass by picturesque oasts were the hops were dried before being sent to the brewery. Click on the link or image to download the map.
Oasts and Orchards
Hop Pickers Line Heritage Group
In 1892 Colonel Holman F Stephens created a railway line that joined Paddock Wood with Horsmonden, Goudhurst, Cranbrook and Hawkhurst.
The line helped Kent's farmers to get their goods to market and it also enabled thousands to travel from London's East End to help with the annual hop picking harvests. It became known as the Hop Pickers Line.
The line closed in 1961, visitors can still enjoy stunning scenery and tranquil landscapes by using the many public rights of way in the area to explore the communities once served by the Hop Pickers Line.
The Hop Pickers Line Heritage Group works to celebrate the line's heritage, you can find out more on their website.
Please note
We have taken all responsible steps to ensure that these routes are safe and achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness.
However, all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. To the extent permitted by law, Sustrans accepts no responsibility for any accidents or injury resulting from following these routes.
Walking and cycling routes change over time. Weather conditions may also affect path surfaces.
Please use your own judgement when using the routes based upon the weather and the ability, experience and confidence levels of those in your group.
For more information about things to do around Paddock Wood, why not take a look at the Explore Kent website.