Chiddingstone lies off the B2027 between Penshurst and Edenbridge in Kent. Legend has it that the name is derived from the sandstone outcrop found near the castle, where offenders were punished (chided). However as the village is quite ancient it is more likely that it is derived from the homestead of Cid or Chid, hence Chid - ing - ton (see our Anglo Saxon history pages). The village was founded before the arrival of King William and the Normans in 1066 and were owned by Earl Godwin father of King Harold. It was given to Bishop Odo after the invasion. The first mention of the church is in the Domesday Monachorum of 1070, where the church is recorded as part of the Diocese of Canterbury, and was handed over by Bishop Odo in 1072. It was also recorded in the Textus Roffensis from 1115AD. In 1450 local men Roger Attwood and William Hunt joined the ranks of the Jack Cade rebels, they were arrested, but subsequently pardoned. Sir Thomas Bullen(Boleyn) of nearby Hever (the father of Anne Boleyn ) bought property in the village during the early 1500's before the family's fall from grace after Anne was executed by Henry VIII . The Streatfeild family were the major landowners in the area from at least 1584, with Richard being one of the ironmasters of the wealden iron industry . The iron industry provided local employment and wealth until the early 1800's when the industry moved to the midlands. In the early 1900's one of the Streatfeilds turned the original manor house into Chiddingstone Castle, which is a good example of the Gothic Revival style. The family still remain landowners in the village. The church has a good collection of hatchments from the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1939 the National Trust took over the village, and it is now a perfect example of a Tudor village in the UK.

Services

The village is very small and has a few local services. Penshurst station at Chiddingstone Causeway provides access east to Tonbridge and west to Edenbridge. The nearest local shopping centre lies at Edenbridge about 5 miles west, or the major centre of Tonbridge about four miles to the east.

Views

Chiddingstone is a beautiful village with many black and white tudor houses. The high street is overlooked by houses built in the 1500 and 1600's. The church is quite attractive and its warm sandstone construction contrasts with the houses. The gothic splendour of Chiddingstone Castle can be seen from a few places on the route through the village.

Businesses Servicing the Area

Service Web Business Name Location Phone Chair Doctor Holland of Rye (Rye) (01797)-222648

Local Amenities

Amenity Web Name Email Phone Church   St Mary C of E   (01892)-870478 Miscellaneous   Chiddingstone Causeway W.I.   (01892)-871063 Miscellaneous   Chiddingstone Gardeners   (01892)-870794 Miscellaneous   Chiddingstone W.I.   (01892)-870353 Parish Council   Chiddingstone Parish Council   (01732)-454356 Parish Magazine   The Village Magazine   (01342)-850362 School   Chiddingstone C of E Primary   (01892)-870339 School   Chiddingstone C of E Primary PTA   (01892)-870281 Sport   Causeway Stoolball Club   (01892)-870644 Sport   Chiddingstone Cricket Club   (01892)-870851 Sport   Chiddingstone Football Club   (01732)-700346 Sport   Shortmat Bowls Club   (01892)-870931 Sport   Stonewall Park Cricket Club   (01892)-870483 Sport   Stonewall Park Stoolball Club   (01342)-850079 Village Hall   Chiddingstone Causeway Village Hall   (01892)-870794 Village Hall   Chiddingstone Village Hall   (01892)-870851 Young People   Chiddingstone Brownies   (01892)-870204 Young People   Chiddingstone Youth Club   (01892)-871070 _Phones   Exchange Code   018928

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