Firstly, as I found out when I needed to intercept a forgotten hat at Ashford international, Southeastern will never give out the phone numbers for stations as they (apparently) have a closed telephone circuit.

In answer to your other question, Patternden lane is pretty long, but it starts only a couple of hundred meters away from the station (turn right out of the car park). The length of the walk will depend on how far up the road you want to go. There is a foot path that goes from the coast-bound side of the platform (accessible via a footbridge that you can only access via the church yard on the London bound side - unless you jump the fence immediately to the left of the station footbridge. There are two footbridges you see - you will find out) that goes toward Patternden lane via some nice orchards. An excuse to by an O/S map?

Good luck.

Although your comments on the train service to Marden make it sound less than alluring, I (in my capacity as a researcher at Guy’s Hospital, based as you doubtless know at London Bridge) need to arrange a visit to a family in your village and it seems feasible by train. I came across your site in a (fruitless) search for a telephone number for Marden station, as I need to find out whether there is a pedestrian exit to Pattenden Lane. According to Google maps, to drive from the station to the address in question is a matter of some 3.6 miles, but by eye it appears to be less than 2 miles (a distance my research colleague would be willing to walk) - provided it is possible to gain access to the said Pattenden Lane from the station. I suppose you couldn’t possibly enlighten me on this point (or alternatively supply me with a telephone number for some official at the station)? I’d be most grateful!