Hawkhurst: Cinema, Church Architecture and Historic Routes

Hawkhurst offers a variety of reasons to stay: a cinema in a former lecture hall, architectural history, historic routes and fishing lakes. If you are looking for a hotel in Hawkhurst, these themes can help you choose what to focus on. Activities vary in both route length and access requirements – fishing in particular is worth looking into carefully.

Cinema and Architectural History

Hawkhurst Cinema is located in Victoria Hall, a former Victorian lecture hall. Film screenings are offered from 10 am. As screening times vary, check the programme for your chosen day before visiting. The cinema also has a café-bar; you can check its current details in advance, too.

St Laurence Church offers several specific points of interest for exploring Hawkhurst’s architectural history. The oldest part of the church consists of the chancel and the north chapel. The Great East Window was built around 1350. These two details refer to different parts of the church: the oldest sections of the building, and a window with its own date.

Highgate House can also be dated: the house dates from the mid-16th century and was altered in the 17th century.

Historic Routes and Hawkhurst’s Past

A Walk in the Past was developed to bring Hawkhurst’s hidden history and heritage to light. This self-guided activity includes a free 20-page PDF booklet with a virtual view of the former town centre. As downloadable materials may change, check whether the booklet is available before making plans. The Highgate-Central route is specifically described as being about three-quarters of a mile long.

The Hawkhurst Heritage Trail differs in length: it is just under six miles long. These figures show the difference in distance – from a section of about three-quarters of a mile to a trail of nearly six miles. Each route should be considered as a separate offering.

Fishing: Lakes and Access Requirements

The lakes differ both in their description and in their access arrangements. Four Trees Lake is a three-quarter-acre fishing lake surrounded by trees. At Hawkhurst Fish Farm, Main Lake covers four acres and is described as a venue for carp and catfish fishing, including particularly large fish. At four acres, Main Lake is considerably larger than the three-quarter-acre Four Trees Lake.

Specimen Lake at Hawkhurst Fish Farm is for members only. At least five years’ carp-fishing experience is required to access it. The lake is stocked with more than 200 fish of notable size. These details are important if you are considering a fishing trip: the membership restriction and experience requirement apply to Specimen Lake and do not automatically apply to the other lakes mentioned.

Quarry Lake at Hawkhurst Fish Farm is accessible only with a day ticket; advance booking is recommended. The lakes mentioned therefore also differ in their access arrangements: a day ticket is required for Quarry Lake, while Specimen Lake is reserved for members with the relevant carp-fishing experience. Check the conditions for each lake before making plans rather than assuming that one lake’s rules apply to another.

A Break at Waterside Café

Waterside Café serves fresh, homemade food made with locally sourced ingredients. If you would like to include it in your plans, check the current opening details before visiting, as they may change. This also helps keep clear which details relate to this café and which access rules apply exclusively to the fishing lakes.

Discover more destinations: Bapchild, Wateringbury, Stone in Oxney, New Romney, Goudhurst, Folkestone, Tudeley, Littlestone-On-Sea

For the wider travel overview: Kent.