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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.