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Vineyard walk · Kent

Tenterden to Chapel Down, on the High Weald Landscape Trail

A three-mile walk from the middle of Tenterden, out through the edge of town and across farmland to the Chapel Down winery at Small Hythe. It follows the waymarked High Weald Landscape Trail all the way. You can walk back the same way, or take the bus from Small Hythe on a weekday or Saturday.

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See the map Download the GPX file

The walk at a glance

Distance4.6km (3 miles) one way, or 9.3km (5¾ miles) there and back
Walking timeAbout 1 hour 15 minutes each way
StartThe Vine Inn, Tenterden High Street
FinishChapel Down Winery, Small Hythe
UnderfootTown streets for the first kilometre, then a farm drive and field paths, muddy after rain
RoadsAbout 100 metres along the B2082 at the end, a 40mph road
VineyardChapel Down
Getting backThe 312 bus, Monday to Saturday, or walk back
DogsOn a lead across the farmland and at Chapel Down
Rows of Bacchus vines at Chapel Down, Small Hythe
Bacchus vines at Chapel Down.

The map

The walk runs south from Tenterden, and the stops follow the steps below.

  1. AThe Vine Inn, Tenterden High Street
  2. BBelcot Manor Farm
  3. CChapel Down Winery
  4. DBus stop back to Tenterden

Download the GPX file

The route is the High Weald Landscape Trail as mapped on OpenStreetMap. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Map of the walk: Tenterden to Chapel Down on the High Weald Landscape Trail The route, with lettered stops: A, The Vine Inn, Tenterden High Street; B, Belcot Manor Farm; C, Chapel Down Winery; D, Bus stop, Small Hythe, opposite the church Tenterden Small Hythe B2082 AThe Vine BBelcot Manor Farm CChapel Down DBus stop ½ mileN

The route

The High Weald Landscape Trail is waymarked the whole way, so look out for its signs at each junction. The GPX file has the line if you want it on your phone.

  1. Out of Tenterden

    1km, about 15 minutes

    From the Vine Inn, walk a short way east along the High Street and turn right into Jacksons Lane. It leads into Six Fields Path, then through the newer houses on Fuggle Drive and Burgess Drive, where a path heads south out of town. It comes out on the B2082, Small Hythe Road.

  2. Belcot Manor Farm

    400 metres, about 5 minutes

    Take the farm drive on the left, heading east towards Belcot Manor Farm.

  3. Across the fields

    3km, about 45 minutes

    Past the farm the trail becomes a field path. It runs south-east for about two kilometres, past a pond, then turns south-west towards Small Hythe. These are working fields, so keep dogs on a lead and close gates behind you.

  4. Into Chapel Down

    100 metres

    The path comes out on the B2082. Turn left along the road for about 100 metres to the Chapel Down entrance. This is a 40mph road and no pavement is mapped here, so take care.

  5. At Chapel Down

    The wine shop is open every day from 10am to 5pm. You can walk round the vineyards and herb garden on your own, with the Vineyard Trail Map from Chapel Down’s website. Chapel Down says sturdy shoes are essential if you walk through the vines, which can be muddy.

    The Swan, the restaurant upstairs, serves lunch from Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 3pm (to 4pm on Sundays), and dinner from Thursday to Saturday, 6pm to 9pm. Book a table on its website. It is up a flight of 36 steps. Tours and tastings are booked ahead, and our Chapel Down guide has the details.

  6. Back to Tenterden

    Stagecoach’s 312 runs back to Tenterden from the Small Hythe stop opposite the church, Monday to Saturday only, at 07:16, 09:16, 10:45, 13:25, 14:45, 16:25 and 18:26. There is no Sunday service. The stop is about 150 metres further south along the B2082 from the Chapel Down entrance, so take the same care on the road. Otherwise, walk back the way you came.

Getting there

Tenterden has no mainline station. Stagecoach buses 2 and 2A run to Tenterden from Ashford, including a stop at Ashford International station, which has fast trains from London St Pancras. Check the times on bustimes.org before you go.

Chapel Down says local transport is limited and recommends booking taxis there and back in advance. Headcorn station is about 20 minutes away by car.

If you are driving, you can do the walk in reverse. Chapel Down has its own car park. Take the 312 into Tenterden from the Small Hythe stop, then walk back to the winery.

Good to know

  • The field paths are muddy after rain, so wear boots.
  • Dogs on leads are welcome round the vineyard and in the wine shop, but not in the restaurant or on guided tours.
  • There is no bus on Sundays, so plan to walk both ways or book a taxi.
  • We have not walked this route ourselves yet. It follows the waymarked High Weald Landscape Trail as mapped on OpenStreetMap, and we last checked the details on 4 November 2026. If something has changed, please tell us.

Questions people ask

How long is the walk?

4.6 kilometres, or three miles, each way. Allow about an hour and a quarter, more if the fields are wet.

Can I get the bus back?

Yes, from Monday to Saturday. The 312 stops at Small Hythe, a short walk from Chapel Down, and runs about every two hours back to Tenterden. There is no Sunday service.

Do I need to book?

Not for the shop or a walk round the vineyard. Tours and tastings are booked ahead, and so is a table at The Swan.