OutdoorsWalks

Hemsted Forest

Benenden, West Kent

Hemsted Forest is a Forestry England woodland of nearly 400 hectares between Benenden and Sissinghurst, mixing conifers with broadleaf trees. Around five miles of hard-surfaced tracks and plenty of rougher paths make it good for long walks and rides in any season, and it is rich in birdlife.

Highlights

Nearly 400 hectares of mixed conifer and broadleaf woodland
About five miles of hard-surfaced forest roads
Horse riding on gravel tracks without a permit
Good for birdwatching

Good to know

No toilets on site
Parking charges started on 13 August 2026
The nearest station is Headcorn, about six miles away

Getting there

Hemsted Forest, Benenden, Cranbrook, TN17 4ANParking: Large Forestry England car park with height restrictions and number-plate recognition; pay by card or RingGo.

Get directions

Checked on 30 October 2026 against forestryengland.uk, visittunbridgewells.com. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check

Spotted something wrong or missing? Tell us

Where: Hemsted Forest, Benenden, Cranbrook, TN17 4AN, TN17 4AN
Price: Free to walk in. Parking: £2 for up to 1 hour, £2.50 for up to 2 hours, £4 for up to 4 hours, £5 for up to 5 hours and £8 for up to 12 hours. Forestry England national members park free.. Free to walk in. Parking: £2 for up to 1 hour, £2.50 for up to 2 hours, £4 for up to 4 hours, £5 for up to 5 hours and £8 for up to 12 hours. Forestry England national members park free.
Opening: Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Time needed: 1 to 3 hours
Dogs: Dog friendly
Parking: Large Forestry England car park with height restrictions and number-plate recognition; pay by card or RingGo.
Access: About five miles of hard-surfaced forest roads. There are no designated accessible parking spaces and no toilets.

Visit the official website Directions

Planning a full day?

Ask Doodle what else is good nearby →

More ideas like this, every week

The Weekend List: the best things on in Kent that weekend, free in your inbox every Thursday.

More things to do in Cranbrook

Nearby

OutdoorsBenenden · under 1 km

Hemsted Forest Equestrian Centre

Hemsted Forest Equestrian Centre is a licensed riding school and livery yard on Golford Road near Benenden, just across from Hemsted Forest. It offers 40-minute lessons for children and adults and escorted hacks into the forest, with lead-rein rides for people who have never ridden.

Prices are not on the website; call the yard on 01580 240 086.Directions

Pantomime and theatreBenenden · 1 km

Hemsted Park

Hemsted Park is the public arts venue at Benenden School, with an 800-seat concert hall and a 300-seat theatre set in the school's parkland outside Cranbrook. Its programme mixes orchestras and jazz with comedy, touring plays, family ballet and free lunchtime concerts.

Prices vary by event; recent shows started from about £10 for family ballet up to around £29 for orchestral concerts. Some lunchtime and school concerts are free but need a ticket.Directions

Image: Hole Park

GardensRolvenden · 3 km

Hole Park Gardens

Hole Park is a family-owned garden near Rolvenden, cared for by the same family since 1911, with 16 acres of formal and wild gardens set in 200 acres of parkland in the High Weald. It is famous for its spring bluebell walk, magnolias, wisteria and azaleas, followed by summer borders and a woodland blaze of autumn colour. It suits garden lovers, families and dog owners, with a Coach House tearoom for lunch.

£10 to £25Directions