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

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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.