Westerham: History, Wine and Walking Trails

Several interests may guide your choice of Westerham as a hotel destination: the life story of James Wolfe, historical evidence, trails through Westerham Commons and wine experiences at Squerryes. This allows you to explore the area through different themes—from culture and biography to nature and tastings.

History in houses, the church and public spaces

Quebec House is an 18th-century townhouse and was the childhood home of General James Wolfe and his family. Wolfe was born in Westerham on 2 January 1727. The house and his birthplace therefore offer two different points of reference for his biography: his family surroundings on the one hand, and his precisely dated birth on the other.

Quebec House has an 18th-century garden with seasonal blooms. There is also a herb and kitchen garden that was recreated using Mrs Wolfe’s recipe book as a reference. The house and gardens thus bring together architecture and gardening, with a specific recipe book as a historical link. Since April 2026, the exhibition “The Story of the Westerham Foundlings” in the Coach House at Quebec House has told this story in collaboration with Coram. If you plan to visit the exhibition, check in advance whether it will still be running on your visit date.

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin was originally built in the 13th century. Its historical features include small brass reliefs from the 16th century and various memorial plaques from the 17th and 18th centuries. The span from the church’s original construction to these later memorials gives the historical details different points of reference in time.

The two statues mentioned also have different emphases: the Statue of General Wolfe was erected in 1911 and designed by Derwent Wood ARA. The Statue of Sir Winston Churchill is a modern bronze cast by Oscar Nemon. The year the Wolfe statue was erected is therefore recorded, while the Churchill statue is described by its material and artistic attribution.

Walking trails, nature and views

Westerham Commons is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Five bat species hibernate in its old ragstone mines, which the Kent Wildlife Trust manages as a nature reserve. This protected status and the mines’ role as hibernation sites for bats offer a different way to appreciate the landscape from its walking trails.

Westerham Commons has footpaths and bridleways for walking, horse riding and cycling, including the Greensand Way. Another route is the waymarked “Westerham to Chartwell Way-marked Walking Trail” between Westerham and Chartwell. The options described are therefore distinct: the Commons offers several paths and activities, while the named walking trail connects two places.

In the area around Westerham, Toys Hill offers views across Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey from the highest point of the Greensand Ridge in Kent. This viewpoint extends the landscape perspective to four named counties and should be considered as a separate point of interest in the surrounding area.

Vineyard and tastings at Squerryes

Squerryes offers two different types of vineyard tour. The smaller vineyard at the estate can be visited independently. Tours of the private vineyard are available by prior booking for groups of eight or more. If you plan a group tour, check the booking arrangements in advance.

Under the name “Flight of Squerryes”, Squerryes offers hosted tastings at the estate of up to four of its finest vintage sparkling wines. The wines are made exclusively from fruit grown and hand-picked in the 36-acre vineyard. This vineyard is part of the 2,500-acre Squerryes Estate.

Bus services to Westerham

On Sundays and public holidays, bus route 246 runs from Bromley North station to Westerham. Route 401 runs from Sevenoaks; route 236 runs from Edenbridge and Oxted to Westerham. The stated restriction applies to route 246. Check the timetables for the relevant route before travelling so you can plan your journey using the appropriate service.

Discover more destinations: Woodchurch, Charing, Headcorn, Staple, Broadstairs, Shadoxhurst, Sandgate, Leaveland

For the main travel overview: Kent.