Length: 16.3km (10.1 miles) with extension to Shipbourne: 18.5km (11.5 miles). 3 out of 10. T=swc.21
"This walk goes through a lovely slice of Kentish countryside, starting by passing through the deer park of Knole House and then carrying on into a gentle area of fields and woods.
You then descend through newly coppiced woodland to Ightham Mote (pronounced "I-tam"), a rare moated manor house. Then a wonderful stretch of the Greensand Way which slowly climbs the escarpment of the Kent Downs with superb views over the Weald to the south. Finally the walk finishes by passing through Knole Park once again."
Concerned about daylight? The last 20 minutes or so are on road through Sevenoaks.
Trains: Get the 0959 Dover Priory train from Charing Cross (London Bridge 1008) arriving Sevenoaks 1031. There are frequent return trains to Charing Cross, London Bridge or Blackfriars , but some take around 35 mins & others nearer an hour.
Lunch: Lunch is at Ightham Mote (8.4km/5.2 miles into the walk), National Trust with cafe & picnic area (the house is open today 1100-1600). You can also go on from here to do an extra loop to the excellent Chaser Inn in Shipbourne (01732 810360), 9.7km (6 miles) into the walk, which serves food all afternoon. There is a churchyard nearby for picnics.
Tea: the Brewhouse Cafe at Knole House is open till 4pm, or plenty of choice in Sevenoaks.
Trains: Get the 0959 Dover Priory train from Charing Cross (London Bridge 1008) arriving Sevenoaks 1031. There are frequent return trains to Charing Cross, London Bridge or Blackfriars , but some take around 35 mins & others nearer an hour.
Lunch: Lunch is at Ightham Mote (8.4km/5.2 miles into the walk), National Trust with cafe & picnic area (the house is open today 1100-1600). You can also go on from here to do an extra loop to the excellent Chaser Inn in Shipbourne (01732 810360), 9.7km (6 miles) into the walk, which serves food all afternoon. There is a churchyard nearby for picnics.
Tea: the Brewhouse Cafe at Knole House is open till 4pm, or plenty of choice in Sevenoaks.
1 comment:
There were #6 of us two had parked in Knowle and waited in the Bucks Head for the others who arrived in less time than it takes to down a swift half. It was #very_wet_first_thing_mainly_dry_while_walking. The parsnip soup got nil point at NT Ightham Mote but the one dish hot pot was good as were the cornish pasties. On through the mud and dripping trees to NT Brewhouse Cafe for cream teas, scones as hard as rock cakes by 4.00pm. As always pleasant company and that slightly virtuous feeling that you made the best of an unpromising day.
Post a Comment