Читать книгу Walking in Kent. 40 circular short walks and day walks онлайн

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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.