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This Week's Walks - Archive

Please see the Saturday Walker's Club This Week's Walks page.

This is an archive of walks done by the Saturday Walker's Club. You should only need to use this page if the SWC website is down.

Sunday 31 July 2016

Sunday Walk 1 Hollingbourne Circular via Hucking,

Hollingbourne Circular via Hucking, SWC Walk 253
17 km (10.6 miles) (with 8.2 and 7.3 mile options)
Toughness 5/10

Across fields to the North Downs ridge. A fairly steep little climb into the Woodland Trust's Hucking Estate, then on to the tiny hamlet of Hucking before looping back along woodland paths and rides. After leaving the estate, the North Downs Way slants down the hillside to lunch in Upper Street. Afterwards, Hollingbourne Meadows, a stretch alongside the busy A20, and stunning views of Leeds Castle as you cross its grounds on public rights of way.
Trains 
Get the 9:36 from Victoria to Canterbury West, arriving Hollingbourne at 10:49
Return trains to Victoria at xx:07. Get a return to Hollingbourne.
Lunch
The Dirty Habit in Upper Street (01622-880880). Phoning recommended
Tea There are two pubs in Eyhorne Street
The upmarket Windmill 01622 889000
The more traditional Sugar Loaves 01622 880220
You also have the Park Gate Inn (01622-880985) a slight detour near Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle
Describes itself as "the loveliest castle in the world". Built by someone very old called Norman. Keep to the public footpath through the grounds. If you want to visit properly, it costs £24.50.
Walk Directions here
Print the whole document to keep your options open.  Click the option you prefer if you've decided on one route.
Main walk (M) all the way round including through Leeds castle grounds.
Short walk (a) misses out the Hucking Estate.
Curtailed walk (b) heads straight for the station from Hollingbourne Meadows, cutting out Leeds Castle.

You were going to get the companion 13 mile walk via Thurnham today (SWC 221) but, apparently, it has an overgrown scratchy-stingy section and kindness prevailed. If anyone wants to give it a go, same train, same times, different lunch stop. Just don't come crying to us with your scratched knees.
T=SWC.253

3 comments:

Unknown said...

This sounds lovely. I enjoyed the other Hollingburne walk last summer.

Anonymous said...

Am interested to do this walk too jfk

Fi said...

am going to do this walk.