Walking in Kent. Kev Reynolds
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Название: Walking in Kent
Автор: Kev Reynolds
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Книги о Путешествиях
isbn: 9781783625420
isbn:
Before 2014 this hidden valley was home to a golf course
About 500 metres after joining the track leave it in favour of a path on the left which is flanked on both sides by hedges and trees. It soon begins to rise up the downland slope towards Lower Wood. Entering a patch of scrub, veer right, then left up a sloping meadow. The path then angles along the fence-lined edge of the wood. There are splendid views ahead, and across to the right, where you can see over the brow of Round Hill to the wooded ridge through which the walk entered the valley. At the end of the fence-line the way continues along the top edge of two linking fields, until the garden boundary of Romney Street Farm and a crossing path at TQ 548 615.
Turn right and enjoy a long view to the right where, far-off, can be seen the sky-scrapers of Canary Wharf. Climb two stiles on either side of a track, then descend a steep slope, at the bottom of which you cross a track and continue ahead on another hedge-enclosed footpath. This takes you up a steep slope on the western side of the valley.
Enter woods again, and on emerging from them aim half-left across the corner of a hilltop field. Maintain direction over the next field, then, at a crossing track, turn right to reach Dunstall Farm at TQ 535 614. Shortly before reaching the farm the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge over the Thames at Dartford can be seen in the distance, while all around you lies a tranquil, untroubled landscape. In the farmyard veer right, then left past some barns and cross another open field towards more trees on the lip of the Downs. Shortly after entering Dunstall Woods there’s a crossing path. Go straight over this and descend (steeply in places and on a long flight of timber-braced steps) ignoring alternatives to right and left, and come once more into the Darent Valley. Cross the A225 opposite Shoreham station, and wander down the road into Shoreham village.
WALK 3
Westerham to French Street and Chartwell
| Start/Finish | Westerham green (TQ 447 540) |
| Distance | 4½ miles/7km |
| Maps | OS Explorer 147 |
| Refreshments | Pubs and cafés in Westerham, tearoom at Chartwell |
| Access | On the A25 about 5 miles/8km west of Sevenoaks. Westerham is served by buses from Bromley and Sevenoaks. |
| Parking | Pay & display car park on A25 east of Westerham near Quebec House |
This circular walk is a real gem that explores some quiet little valleys, woodland, hilltop crests with expansive views, an attractive little hamlet, and wanders alongside Chartwell, one-time home of Sir Winston Churchill. It’s a switchback of a route with several steep, though short, ascents and descents to tackle; a fine walk to enjoy in all seasons.
Westerham is a historic place whose first inhabitants built their huts within a stockade on what is now the green. In 1227 Henry III granted a charter allowing a market here, thus giving Westerham town status. Among its many fine old buildings there’s the 700-year-old Grasshopper above the green, and the Vicarage in which James Wolfe was born in 1727. Wolfe actually spent his childhood in the red-brick, multi-gabled house now known as Quebec House after his famous victory in Canada. This house is now in the care of the National Trust and is open to the public.
Begin on the triangular village green near Westerham parish church. On the green there’s a bronze statue of Churchill by Oscar Nemon, while General James Wolfe holds his sword aloft nearby. Cross the A25 below the Churchill statue and walk ahead down Water Lane, a narrow alleyway that leads between walls, crosses two branches of the Darent stream and enters the foot of a sloping meadow. Walk up the slope to a kissing gate in the skyline fence, after which you cut across a hilltop meadow slightly left, to reach a squeeze stile by an oak tree. An enclosed footpath now takes you to the B2026. Cross with care, turn right, and after a short distance come to a minor junction by a green at TQ 452 533.
In the heart of Westerham James Wolfe holds his sword aloft, while behind him Churchill stares glumly from his seat on the green
Bear left on the lane signed to French Street, and after about 100 metres break away left along a descending track towards a solitary house, then head to the right on a footpath. In a few paces pass near the entrance to Hosey Cave (barred to keep people out, whilst enabling a colony of bats to enter). The path winds up among woods and then forks. Continue straight ahead, now out of the woods but going along a tunnel of trees. Just before reaching Gillhams Farm go through a gate, then turn left on a drive towards stables. The way then swings right and descends alongside a fence, with lovely views left, before entering more woodland. At the foot of the slope the path crosses a stream and curves right. Shortly after, climb a steep slope on the left by a flight of wood-braced steps, and almost on the brow of the hill turn right on a crossing path. Before long this slopes gently downhill, and continues ahead before veering right to cross a stream on a footbridge.
Enter a sloping field via a kissing gate. Follow its left-hand edge to another kissing gate in the top corner where a path now eases along the hillside and emerges onto a narrow lane in the hamlet of French Street. Immediately before coming onto this lane, note the unusual private burial ground on the right, and a wonderful view left across a valley to the oasthouses of Outridge Farm (see Walk 5).
Nothing could be more typical of Kent than an oasthouse. These conical buildings – some circular, others square-edged – were used for drying hops. The lower, brick-built section contained a furnace, above which the freshly-harvested hops were spread across a thin floor to dry. Standing proud of the steeply sloping roof, the white sail-like open-sided chimney turned with the wind to draw the furnace fire. Once the hops had been dried, they would be tipped into huge sacks known as pockets. Their original use having died out, many oasthouses have either been converted to dwellings, or are used as storage barns.
Bear left along the lane past pretty little April Cottage, then turn right on a drive where a bridleway signed Greensand Way takes you alongside the boundary hedge of a house called Mannings Wood. Bear left with the hedge, soon walking along the edge of woodland – the bridleway here can be very muddy in winter, or following heavy rain. Eventually come to a narrow lane. Take the left hand of two paths directly ahead, which leads down a slope along the Chartwell boundary with views left over a series of small lakes to a vast Wealden panorama.
Home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924 until his death in 1965, Chartwell stands on a high terrace of land overlooking a great sweep of gardens, parkland and lakes, with a splendid view south into the Weald. It was for this view that Churchill bought the house. ‘A day away from Chartwell,’ he said, ‘is a day wasted.’ Under the National Trust Chartwell is now part-museum devoted to Churchill’s long life and varied careers, and partly the house and home as he knew it for 40 years. (For current opening times see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell).
Come to a country road by the entrance to Chartwell car park. When the house and grounds are open, refreshments can be had at the tearoom located at the far end of the car park. СКАЧАТЬ