2014 Extended Walk Details
24th November 2014
The next extended walk is on Monday 24th November 2014. The assembly point is at Teston Country Park. Please arrive by 9.45am so that lunch orders can be taken and phoned ahead on the day to avoid delay. The walk will start at 10am and be led by Bob Brickell. The total distance is 9.1 miles with the morning route being 5.3 miles.
The route will go along the Medway valley taking in Kettle Corner, Fant House, East Farleigh, and Farleigh Green, where we will stop for lunch at the Good Intent public house. After lunch the return route will be through West Farleigh, Tutsham Hall and Wateringbury Bridge and along the river path back to Teston.
Directions: From Swanley, take the M20 to junction exit 5 to the A20, at the next roundabout take the second exit onto the A20 and turn left on to B2246 through Barming, turn right onto the A26 through East Barming and turn left onto B2163, over the level crossing and right into Teston Country Park.
The Post Code is ME18 5BX. Map Reference TQ 70795326
Note: The car park is Pay and Display with a daily charge of £1.20.
27th October 2014
The next extended walk is on Monday 27 October 2014. The assembly point is the Car Park at Queens Head Pub (www.queensheaddowne.com) in Downe Village. Please arrive by 9.45am so that lunch orders can be taken and phoned ahead on the day to avoid delay.
The walk will start at 10am and be led by Barry & Joan Everitt.
The walk will be 2 circular walks one in the morning the other in the afternoon after lunch.
The morning walk (Red line) will be out of Downe village to Green Hill then along the side of the valley to Holwood Farm returning on the other side of the valley next to Biggin Hill Airport then through Sow woods, Snotsdale wood and onto Downe Court before returning to the Queens Head a distance of 5.8miles.
The afternoon walk (Blue Line) will leave the Queens Head and go out of Downe towards Gorrings Farm and then through Burnt Gorse, Snag Farm and Mace Farm before returning through Hostye Farm and Cudham Road to the Queens Head in Downe a distance of 3.9miles.
Directions: From J4 on the M25 follow the signpost for Biggin Hill Airport and then Downe (or look on the Queens Head website). The Queens head is in the centre of the village.
The Post code is BR6 7US Map Reference is 432617
29th September 2014
The assembly point for the next extended walk on Monday 29 September 2014 will be in the car park at Dry Hill Nature Reserve near Sundridge (just off A25).
Park near the entrance and please arrive by 9.45am for the walk to start at 10am.
The walk will be led by Alan Hayward
The route will go past Dry Hill Farm, then skirt Red Grove Woods, Green Lane Farm Debden, it then continues through Mill Bank Wood, Pitfield Wood and above Everlands (good views of Bough Beech Reservoir) then on into Brock Hill Wood, Sheephill Wood and Hyde Wood to the WOODMAN Pub at Goathurst Common for lunch.
Following lunch the route will continue onto Whitley Row pass Brook Place and into Willow Wood (from here can be seen the tallest treetop in Kent a giant ‘Wellingtonia’ in Emmett’s garden, the rooftop of Emmett’s House and the slender spire of Ide Hill Church), then onto Manor Farm and St Mary’s Church Sundridge, Warren Farm before returning to Dryhill Nature Reserve a total distance of about 9 miles.
Directions: Take the M25 south towards Sevenoaks. At junction 5 continue STRAIGHT ON THE A21 and take the 2nd exit signposted Westerham and follow the A25 after approx. 0.5 miles turn left. There is a brown signpost for Dryhill Nature Reserve by a garden centre. The car park is approx. 0.5 miles on the left hand side.
The Post Code is TN14 6EP Map Reference TQ496552
1st September 2014
The next extended walk is on Monday 1st Sept 2014 with a lunch stop at the Change of Horses in Farnborough Village (no website). The assembly point is the car park of the Change Horses Pub in Farnborough Village (we have permission to use it). Please arrive by 9.45am so that lunch orders can be taken.
Note: This is the August extended walk postpond from 25th Aug due to it being Bank Holiday monday.
The walk will start at 10am
Walk Leader: Russ Burton.
Distance approx. 9.4 miles.
The walk will be 2 circulars one in the morning and one in the afternoon both staring from the Change of Horses Car Park in Farnborough Village.
The morning route will be across open fields to North End Farm and then follow part of the London Loop walk to Keston Common where it will then continue pass Ninehams Wood and back to Farnborough for lunch.
The afternoon route will again follow part of the London Loop Walk (different path) then through Green Street Green, Cuckoo Woods and parts of High Elms Country Park back to Farnborough.
Directions: Suggested route from Crockenhill & Eynsford take the M25 to Junction 4 and then follow the A21signs towards Bromley. After the Green Street Green roundabout turn left at the next roundabout onto the B2158. Follow the road into Farnborough Village the Change of Horses is on the right hand side of the High Street.
The Post code is BR6 7BB Map Reference TQ 442642.
28th July 2014
The next extended walk is on Monday 28th July 2014 with a lunch stop at Nevill Bull in Birling (www.nevillbull.co.uk). The assembly point is the public car park in Holly Hill nr Vigo. Please arrive by 9.30am so that lunch orders can be taken.
The walk will start at 9.45am.
From the car park the route will follow the North Downs Way (NDW) through Punish Wood, Pomphrey Wood and Greatpark Wood before dropping down to Lad’s Farm, through Paddlesworths and Birling Ashes to Birling for lunch. After lunch the route will continue through Birling to Birling Lodge, Coney Lodge and Birling Place before climbing back up to Holly Hill through Crookhorn Wood.
Distance 9.8miles approx.
Walk Leader: Alan Hayward
Directions: From Crockenhill & Eynsford take the A20 to the bottom of Wrotham Hill. At the roundabout turn left and take the A227. Just after the Vigo pub turn right into Harvel Road and follow the road to the end, then bear right into White Horse Road and follow the signs for Holly Hill Car Park which will be on your left.
The Post code is DA13 0UB Map Reference TQ 669629.
Note: The car park is FREE but not that big – so car sharing where possible maybe a good idea.
30th June 2014
The next extended walk is on Monday 30th June 2014 with a lunch stop at the Running Horses in Erith. The assembly point is the signpost for the Green Chain Walk at the entrance to Lesnes Abbey Park in New Road, Abbey Wood.
Please arrive by 9.45am so that lunch orders may be taken.
The walk will start at 10.00am.
The route will go through Lesnes Abbey Woods includes Lesnes Abbey, Thamesmead, Crossness Engine House, New Crossness Water Treatment works, Belvedere Heat from Waste plant, Erith Waterside Gardens for lunch at the Running Horses. The return route will be through Waterside Gardens along the river side then through Frank’s Park and back into Lesnes Abbey Woods. Parts of the route are on the Green Chain Way.
Distance 9.6 miles approx.;
Walk Leader: Alan Bodley
There are NO stiles! Most of the route is level; with a gentle incline near the end. Bird watchers may wish to bring binoculars as there will be several opportunities to observe seabirds along the Thames Path.
Directions: From Eynsford, Crockenhill, or Swanley, proceed to Crayford and follow the signposts for Erith (A206). At the Erith roundabout turn left following the signs for Upper Belvedere (A206). At the next mini roundabout bear right onto the A206. Continue on this road for approx. 2.25miles (through Belvedere) until you reach a Zebra crossing, immediately past this turn Right into New Road, drive pass the houses on the right hand side and after approx. 200yds you can park on the right hand side (just before the controlled parking sign) which is at the entrance to Lesnes Abbey Wood.
The nearest Post Code is: SE2 0PN (houses before parking area)
Map Reference: TQ47797846
2nd June 2014
The next extended walk will be on Monday 2nd June 2014 with a lunch stop at the Kentish Rifleman (www.thekentishrifleman.co.uk) in Dunks Green.
The assembley point is St Lawerence's Church in Mereworth. Please arrive by 9.45am to enable lunch order to be taken. The walk will start at 10am.
The walk will follow a route from the church through Baron's Place, Hurst Woods, Broadfield and Plaxtol, it will then continue on to Dunk's Green for lunch. The return route will be through Roughways and then along the Greensand Way and Wealdway to West Peckham and then onto Mereworth.
The distance is approx. 9.5 miles
The walk will be led by Richard Pierce
Directions: From Crockenhill or Enysford take the A20 to Wrotham Heath and go through the traffic lights.
Due to roadworks there's NO right turn at the junction of the A20 & 7 Mile Lane.
Alternative routes:
1. Stay on the A20 (towards Maidstone) and take the 2nd turning on the right (Aldon Lane) signposted ALDON (NOT the 1st turn off [Endeavour Park] as this is a no through road). Go through the village and continue until you come to a crossroads and a give way sign. At the cross roads turn right (Kings Hill) continue over the roundabout onto the A228 for approx1.5miles when you should see the church steeple on your right. Turn right at the signpost for Equine Veterinary Clinic (if you miss the sign do an about turn at the roundabout which follows) and the church is a couple of hundred yards on you left.
For those using satnav the postcode is ME18 5NA
Map Reference TQ66025376
28th April 2014
The next extended walk will be on Monday 28th April 2014 and includes a lunch stop at Ye Old George Inn, Church Street Shoreham TN14 7RY.
The assembly point is the main car park in Kemsing, opposite the Bell Pub. Please arrive in good time for the walk will start at 9.45am.
The walk will follow a route through the recreation ground at Kemsing, Pilgrams Way, Woodlea,North Downs Way, Otford Manor, Shorehill Lane, Great wood and Magpie Bottom (AONB), Paine's Farm, Row Dow Lane, Greenhill Woods (views over Otford), FackendenDown, Warren Farm, Dunstall Farm and White Hill to Ye Old George Shoreham. After lunchthe route will follow the Darenth Valley Path to Otford then through Oxenhill Shaw back to Kemsing
The distance is approx. 10.3 miles.
The walk will be led by Roger Smith.
Directions: From Eynsford, Crockenhill or Swanley join the A235 going south. At Ortford turn left into Pilgrims Way following the signs to Kemsing. On reaching the narrow road sign, turn right into Childsbridge Lane. Turn left into West End and continue to the High Street. The entrance to the car park is next to the new development opposite the Bull
For those using satnav, the postcode is TN15 6NB
Map Reference TQ555587
31 March 2014
The next extended walk will be on Monday 31st March 2014 and includes a lunch stop at The Anchor and Hope in South Ash Road.
The assembly point is the Public Library car park in West Kingsdown. Please arrive in plenty of time for lunch orders to be taken. The walk will start at 9.45am.
The walk will follow a route through Stacklands Wood, Pell Farm, Terry's Lodge Farm, Standstead Lodge Farm then on to Standstead, Martin Hill, Petting Court, Horns Lodge to Anchor in Hope (lunch). Return route South Ash Manor, through London Giolf Course and Church Wood back to West Kingsdown
The distance is approx. 9.3 miles.
The walk will be led by Brain Barnes.
Directions: From Eynsford, Crockenhill or Swanley join the A20 going east towards Brands Hatch. After passing the village sign for West Kingsdown the public library is approx. 0.5miles further on, on the righthand side, Entrance to Car Park is approx. 100 metres beyond Kingsfield Road
For those using satnav, the postcode is TN15 6BZ
24th February 2014
The next extended walk will be on Monday 24th February 2014 and includes a lunch stop at The Cock Inn Henley Street.
The assembly point is The Green, Meopham. Parking is free around the green. Please arrive in plenty of time for lunch orders to be taken.
The walk will start at 9.45am.
The walk will follow a route through Beechen Wood, Whitehorse wood following the Wealdway. We will pass Dode church, the only surviving building following The Black Death when the village was abandoned. Until recently the church was a ruin but has now been refurbished and is used regularly for weddings. We will stop for lunch at The Cock Inn You can visit their website at www.cockluddesdowne.com. The return walk will be past Henley Wood, skirting Camer Country Park and back to Meopham Green.
Outward journey is approximately 6.5 miles, return journey 2.5 miles after lunch.
The walk will be led by Bob Brickell.
Directions: From Eynsford, Crockenhill or Swanley join the A20 towards heading towards West Kingsdown, carry on to the bottom of Wrotham Hill and take A227 first exit off the roundabout onto the Gravesend Road. Continue on this road until you reach Meopham and then turn right into the green.
For those using satnav, the nearest postcode is DA13 0QA which is for the Cricketers Inn on the Village Green
27th January 2014
The next extended walk will be on Monday 27th January2014 and includes a lunch stop at the Five Bells (www.thefivebells-chelsfieldvillage.co.uk) in Chelsfield Village.
The assembly point is the public car park in Andrews Wood Shacklands Road, Badgers Mount. Please arrive in plenty of time for the walk to start at 9.45am.
The walk will follow a route through Andrews Wood Meenfield Wood, Halstead and Knockholt to Chelsfield for lunch (Five Bells). The return walk will be through Maypole, Hollows Wood, Badgers Mount, Jenkins Neck Wood and Andrews Wood.
Distance: 9.5 miles approx. Leader: Alan Hayward
Directions: From Eynsford, Crockenhill or Swanley join the M25 at junction 3 and leave at junction 4, follow the spur road to the roundabout. Take the 1st exit (A224) at the next roundabout take the 1st exit into Shacklands Road. The car park is approx. 400yds on the right. Those of you that use satnav, the nearest postcode is TN14 7BD which is for the road just before the entrance to the car park coming from the roundabout on the A224
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