Bayham Abbey, near Tunbridge Wells. Photo: MortimerCat CC-BY-SA-3.0

Walkers will be barred from paths around a historic abbey after a Government inspector ruled they were not public rights of way.

The ruling follows a campaign by the Ramblers that lasted more than 30 years to gain access to land around Bayham Abbey near Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

The Ramblers’ chief executive described the decision, announced on Friday, as a ‘huge disappointment’.

The access battle centred on two routes on the Kent and East Sussex boundary near the ruined Premonstratensian abbey east of Tunbridge Wells. The two paths, across weald land formerly part of the Marquis of Camden’s estate, were accepted as rights of way by the Secretary of State last year, but the various owners who bought the land in parcels from the Marquis, lodged an appeal.

A public inquiry was held and the inspector ruled that, although there was evidence that the public had walked the paths for many years, there was also evidence that their use had been interrupted by the locking of gates and by other obstacles often enough to show that the landowner did not intend to dedicate the paths to the public.

Tom Franklin, Ramblers chief executive, said: “We are obviously hugely disappointed at the result and it is deeply saddening that such a scenic setting remains closed off to the public.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the dedicated volunteers and members of the community that have worked alongside us on this campaign.”