Discover Matfield: Culture, History and Trails

Matfield combines distinctive architectural heritage with a varied village centre and trails through the Kent countryside. Those planning a trip can combine culture and activity here: Matfield House, St. Luke’s Church and Matfield Green offer different impressions, while the High Weald Landscape Trail opens up another perspective on the surrounding area. A holiday rental or holiday cottage in Matfield is particularly appealing if you do not want to focus your stay on just one attraction, but instead combine different experiences at a relaxed pace.

Matfield Green as a centre for experiences

Matfield Green is an important point of reference in the village. In the north-eastern part there is a large pond, which gives the green a distinctive landscape feature. Matfield Green is also home to the Matfield Green Cricket Club. There is also a croquet lawn. This combination makes it clear that outdoor activities in Matfield are concentrated on Matfield Green.

For families, this part of the village can bring together different interests: while some travellers appreciate the open landscape and the pond, others are interested in the traditional sports of cricket and croquet. The facts allow you to make a clear choice based on your personal travel preferences, without having to limit your stay to a single programme.

Matfield House and the history of the village

Matfield House is a Grade I listed building dating from 1728. The house overlooks Matfield Green, thereby combining architectural history with the village’s central landscape area. For visitors interested in historic buildings, Matfield House is a distinctive starting point for getting to know Matfield’s unique identity.

The village is also connected with literary history. The war poet Siegfried Sassoon lived at Weirleigh at the northern end of Matfield. This information adds another cultural thread to the view of Matfield House: in addition to its architectural heritage, the village’s history also includes the memory of an important literary figure.

A church with a Kentish architectural character

St. Luke’s Church in Matfield is a church in the Kentish style with a steeply pitched roof. Its features include a single bell, made in London in 1877 by John Warner and Sons. Those interested in regional architecture and historic details will find another specific reason to plan a visit here. The church and Matfield House represent different sides of the village: the former reflects its ecclesiastical architecture, while the latter reflects the history of a listed building.

Walking on the High Weald Landscape Trail

The WT225 footpath runs west of Matfield Green and forms part of the High Weald Landscape Trail. One section of this trail provides a pedestrian connection from Matfield to Petteridge. WT225 is heavily used by local residents and visitors. This means that, alongside its cultural attractions, Matfield also offers a practical opportunity to explore the area on foot.

When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider which focus matters most to you: are you mainly looking for historic impressions around Matfield House and St. Luke’s Church, or would you also like to allow time for WT225 and the connection to Petteridge? The answer will help you choose your holiday rental or holiday cottage to suit your preferred combination of local history, countryside and activity.

Getting there and further travel ideas

Paddock Wood is the nearest railway station to Matfield and is 3 miles (4.8 km) away. This information is one of the most important practical points of reference when planning your trip. You can also explore Lympne, Blean, Herne Bay, Tenterden, Sutton Valence, Smarden, Coldred and Shadoxhurst as further destinations.

To the higher-level travel overview: Kent.