Walking in Kent. Kev Reynolds

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      A bluebell-fringed woodland near Obriss Farm

      Parts of the splendid old Obriss Farm buildings date back to 1550. Occupying an isolated position amid beautiful countryside, the farm is now in the care of the Landmark Trust, from which the house may be rented for holiday use www.landmarktrust.org.uk.

      Turn left along the road for a few paces, then break to the right on a track beside an attractive tile-hung cottage. This track is notoriously muddy and waterlogged in winter – or at any time of year in inclement weather. After about 400 metres, where it rises and makes a right-hand bend, leave the track to cross a stile on the right into a large open field from which you have views of the Greensand Ridge, and with Crockham Hill church seen across the fields half-left.

      Walk towards the left-hand edge of a woodland, keep ahead alongside its boundary, then veer half-right to another stile. Over this, after a few paces, enter another meadow and turn left alongside a woodland shaw. On reaching a corner continue ahead to yet another stile. This brings you into a sloping meadow where you veer right down to a field gate and a stile by a small stream. Over the stile walk up the next slope, at first alongside its right-hand edge, then on a faint grass path to the head of the slope where you can see the red tile-hung house known as Chandlers. Leave the meadow through a kissing gate, from which there’s a glorious view back across the Weald.

      The way now continues between hedges and a garden wall, and is soon directed left between fences dividing two sections of garden. Leave this through a white gate, then turn right on a driveway which drops down a slope to the head of a narrow lane. Veer left along the lane, soon passing a group of houses, the last of which is the lovely old Close Farm. The lane continues between fields, and eventually comes to the B2026 in Crockham Hill. The Royal Oak pub is just off to the left, should you be in need of refreshment. Turn right, and after passing a row of houses, turn right again into Church Road where the walk began.

WALK 5

      Toys Hill to Ide Hill, Crockham Hill and French Street

      Between the Kent–Surrey border and Sevenoaks, the Greensand Ridge is criss-crossed with numerous footpaths, while the long-distance Greensand Way exploits some of the finest views over the Kentish Weald. Toys Hill, Ide Hill and Crockham Hill are among the highest places along the ridge, while French Street is a delightful hamlet nestling on the northern slope whose valley drains down into the unseen Holmesdale Valley, beyond which stretches the North Downs wall.

      This walk – the longest and hilliest of the main routes in this book – not only picks out some of the most expansive vantage points along that ridge, but also weaves a route along the lower slopes, going from farm to farm in a surprisingly tranquil landscape. As with Walk 4, this also connects a number of sites associated with the life of Octavia Hill, and the continuing work of the National Trust.

      Toys Hill consists of 450 acres/180ha of woodland in the care of the National Trust. Those on the east side of the road are named after Octavia Hill, one of the co-founders of the Trust.

      From the entrance to the National Trust car park on the west side of the road on Toys Hill, cross to the east side where a footpath takes you into woodland. At the first junction veer left along the Greensand Way, then at a multi-junction of paths take the second right, continuing along the Greensand Way. Descend a slope, head over a crossing path and continue downhill until you leave the woodland at a squeeze-stile on the edge of an open meadow with big views across the Weald. There’s a seat on the left which exploits those views. Dedicated to the memory of a local farmer who lived nearby, it is a magnificent place to sit and reflect on the beauty all around you.

      Turn left round the edge of the meadow with Ide Hill church seen ahead, and go down the slope where a stile by a field gate takes you into a second meadow, at the bottom of which you cross a footbridge and walk up the slope ahead. At the top of two linking meadows, leave the track which continues onto Ide Hill, and instead take a footpath through a kissing gate in a hedge on the right.

      For a direct route to Ide Hill, avoiding another ascent and saving about ½ mile/800 metres, continue up the track to emerge on a road by the village primary school. Turn right then left to rejoin the main walk beside Ide Hill village green near The Cock Inn.

      Guided by a fence with more fine views, you soon enter woodland, cross a small brook and, winding among trees, start to rise up the steep slope. When the way forks take the left branch to gain the crown of the hill where there’s an open grass area with one or two benches from which it used to be possible to enjoy another fine view. Octavia Hill was directly responsible for saving this hilltop for the National Trust. Sadly, on recent visits it was found that trees and scrub had been allowed to block this view. Over the hilltop a path continues alongside a fence, then spills out on the village green at Ide Hill, next to the church. On the far side of the green stands The Cock Inn.

      In the early years of the National Trust, Octavia Hill encouraged supporters to donate land in memoriam. Her sister Miranda did this when she gave the Trust the first piece of land on Ide Hill. Other priceless sites along the greensand hills were presented to the Trust at One Tree Hill (Walk 8), Toys Hill (Walks 4 and 5), Mariners Hill and Crockham Hill (Walks 3, 4 and 5)

      Emerging from the Octavia Hill woodland on Toys Hill, a clear view shows Ide Hill ahead

      Turn right on the road in front of the pub, but take great care for there’s oncoming traffic and a blind corner. A few paces after passing the village hall with the splendid community-run village stores/café next to it (car park and public toilets on the south side) come to the B2042, cross with care and turn left. Take the first turning on the right, a narrow lane which forks almost СКАЧАТЬ