Section 4 of 8, Wealdway
Bidborough to Friar's Gate
10.2 miles (16.4 km). About 4 hours, moderate.
Start: TQ 564 431. Finish: TQ 490 335. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Diversion in place on this route. On section 1 (Gravesend to Vigo Village), not this one. The details are on its page.
Up and down
About 320 m of climbing and 333 m of descent; highest point 120 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Bidborough.
- Bus stop
- The Kentish Hare, 380 m from the start. Directions TQ 565 435
Getting back
The section finishes at Friar's Gate.
No bus stop or station within a kilometre of the finish. Nearest: the bus stop at The Dorset Arms, 2.3 km away (Directions); Eridge station, 5.3 km away (Directions).
Planning the Wealdway
- Planning the whole trail: explorekent.org.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Guide to the Wealdway (Kent Ramblers).
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 35%, earth, rock and mud 10%; the rest (52%) isn't recorded.
About 34% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 17 stiles, 10 kissing gates, 9 gates, 1 stream crossing, 4 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 57 m in a kilometre (1 in 18), starting 1.9 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- George and Dragon, Speldhurst: 2.3 miles in.Chafford Arms, Fordcombe: 4.4 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Dorset Arms, Withyham: 8.8 miles in, about 300 m off the way.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.