Visits are booked internally by the women themselves, and are available at weekends bewteen 13:30 – 15:30. After 4 weeks most women have 2 community visits a month of between 8 to 12 hours with their families. Visitors can be picked up/dropped off at Headcorn station. This is also booked internally.
Getting there:
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As you would expect from a country mansion house, the prison is in a rural location! There is a bus service (no. 12 or 812) from the Maidstone depot at the Chequers Centre, to Sutton Valence, which is a 1 mile walk from the prison. From Headcorn the no. 12 bus operates in the opposite direction. Walking from Sutton Valence leave by taking the left turning at the cross roads in the village centre (as you are facing downhill). Follow this road out of the village, past the Queen’s Head, the Post Office, assorted shops and the Swan. Continue for approximately 1 mile out of the village and, where the road bends to the left and uphill, the Prison gates will be straight ahead. This will take approximately 20 – 30 minutes. (its quite a long walk!)
The nearest railway stations are Maidstone East and Headcorn, both lines have regular services from both London and the Kent Coast. Click Here for train details. Headcorn is approximately 5 miles from the prison and Maidstone East is approximately 12 miles from the prison. There is an infrequent bus service to Sutton Valence but the best way to arrive at the prison is by taxi, or by private transport, visitors can be picked up/dropped off at Headcorn station. This is booked internally by the prisoners.
If travelling by car leave M20 at Junction 8 (A20 – signed Lenham, Maidstone Services and Leeds Castle). Turn left at the first roundabout (A20), straight over the second roundabout. Turn right at the third roundabout joining the B2163. Follow this road past Leeds Castle and through the villages of Leeds and Langley to the “T” junction with the A274. (Plough Public House is on the right). Turn left on to the A274 (signed Sutton Valence and Headcorn). Turn left at the first cross-roads (signed East Sutton, Kingswood and Ulcombe). Turn at the second right hand turn (signed East Sutton). Go past the first left hand turn. The prison is a few hundred yards on the left on the bend.
Parking available in car park before electric barrier.