Hook Wood

Wood, Forest in Kent Ashford

England

Hook Wood

Biddenden The village green with the Biddenden Maids sign, and the High Street, taken from the east side of the A262. — Biddenden Credit: Derek Harper

Hook Wood is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Kent, England. Covering an area of approximately 50 acres, it forms part of the larger Hook Green Nature Reserve. The woodland is situated near the village of Hook Green, nestled between the towns of Sevenoaks and Tonbridge.

Hook Wood is primarily composed of native broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and ash, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. The wood is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, small mammals, and insects, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Visitors to Hook Wood can enjoy a network of well-maintained walking trails that wind through the picturesque landscape. These trails offer stunning views of the woodland, providing an opportunity to immerse oneself in nature and appreciate the tranquility of the surroundings. The wood is especially beautiful in the spring and autumn, when the trees are adorned with vibrant blossoms or display a stunning array of colors.

Hook Wood is managed by the local authorities, who work to preserve its natural beauty and protect its wildlife. The wood also serves as an important educational resource, with guided nature walks and educational programs organized for schools and community groups.

Overall, Hook Wood, Kent, is a charming and peaceful woodland that offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and well-maintained trails make it a popular destination for both locals and visitors seeking a connection with nature.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Hook Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.108879/0.66956154 or Grid Reference TQ8637. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Biddenden

The village green with the Biddenden Maids sign, and the High Street, taken from the east side of the A262.

Derek Harper

The Biddenden Maids

Plaques attached to the sign read: Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst the famous twins known as the Biddenden Maids were born in the year 1100 joined together at hips and shoulders. They lived together thus joined for 34 years when one of them was seized with a fatal illness and died. The other refusing to be separated died 6 hours later. By their Will they left their property to the poor of Biddenden. In commemoration of the Biddenden Maids an annual distribution of bread and cheese takes place on Easter Monday morning from the old bakehouse. Biscuits bearing the impress of the two maids, their names and year of birth are available at the same time to all who apply, visitor and parishioners.

Dave Skinner

Claris's Tea Rooms

Photo of The Tea Rooms in Biddenden

Dave Skinner

Biddenden Green

Dave Skinner

Biddenden Maids Village Green

Plaques on sign read: Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst the famous twins known as the Biddenden Maids were born in the year 1100 joined together at hips and shoulders. They lived together thus joined for 34 years when one of them was seized with a fatal illness and died. The other refusing to be separated died 6 hours later. By their Will they left their property to the poor of Biddenden. In commemoration of the Biddenden Maids an annual distribution of bread and cheese takes place on Easter Monday morning from the old bakehouse. Biscuits bearing the impress of the two maids, their names and year of birth are available at the same time to all who apply, visitor and parishioners.

Dave Skinner

Vineyards

Row upon row of grapes on the vine

Dave Skinner

Hop Garden, Bugglesden Road, near Biddenden

The hop picking season starts in September. These are taken to the nearby TQ8736 : Oast House at Haffenden Farm, Bugglesden Road, St Michaels, Kent

Oast House Archive

Oast House at Haffenden Farm, Bugglesden Road, St Michaels, Kent

20th Century ridge ventilated oast house. Believed to still be working. The corrugated building to the right houses a suspended conveyor, the tractor drives underneath and the hop bines are hook onto the conveyor and taken into the building to be processed.

Oast House Archive

River Hall Oast, River Hall, Cot Lane, Biddenden, Kent

Twin round kiln oast house.

Oast House Archive

Hop Fields at Wagstaff Farm, Wagstaff Lane, Biddenden

It is not clear if this hop garden is still in use. The strings would begin to be strung around this time of year.

Oast House Archive

The Oast House, High Halden Road, Biddenden, Kent

Single round kiln oast house. Also see TQ8638 : The Oast House, High Halden Road, Biddenden, Kent

Oast House Archive

Defunct railway station

The Rother valley light railway was one of Colonel Stephens 16 light railways. It was started in 1900 from Robertsbridge to Tenterden, extended in 1905 to Headcorn the line was renamed Kent & East Sussex Railway. Services were withdrawn in 1954 and the lines from Tenterden to Headcorn removed. The rest is still a thriving private steam railway. The view is north from the A262 Biddenden road at what is now Applegate Farm.

D-G-Seamon

Footpath through Gribble Wood

Some coppicing had been done elsewhere in the wood.

Robin Webster

Stream under Gribble Bridge Lane

The greenery is mainly Ramsons, a wild garlic, not yet in flower. Apparently this is Gribble Bridge on Gribble Bridge Lane, not Cradocks lane as the OS Explorer map has it.

Robin Webster

The Raja of Kent

"Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine".

Robin Webster

A bend on a lane

The lane is unnamed on the map. The left-hand hedge hides a very small parcel of land hedged from the fields, with a new gate, but little in it apart from scrub and bits of corrugated iron.

Robin Webster

Byway towards Marlands Farm

This is signed as a byway (called Gore Lane). The dead-end sign is possibly misleading, as the byway, after skirting Marlands Farm, eventually reaches another road.

Robin Webster