Difficulty 1 out of 10 (maybe 2 or 3 for the longer versions)
Length 7.2, 9.2 or 11.2 miles (11.5, 14.7, or 18 km)
Pluckley in Kent’s Low Weald claims to be the UK’s most haunted village, but, so far, the ghosts have left us alone (touch wood). Our basic walk is 7.2 miles but can be lengthened using the two extensions.
The area was the setting for the ‘Darling Buds of May’ book and TV series, and you pass the author’s former house. Many buildings have distinctive Dering windows - a reminder of the former landowners, the Derings, as is the black horse motif.
Trains Get the 09:34 Ramsgate train from Victoria (arriving Pluckley 10:49).
Return trains at xx:37 to Victoria. Get a return to Pluckley.
Lunch The Swan Inn in Little Chart is recommended 01233 840 702.
There is a later pub in Pluckley the Black Horse 01233 224 224 In recent years, it branded itself as more of a restaurant than a pub, with no walk-in trade. Apparently, it has softened its stance, but it is untested.
Tea
Your best bet is the Rose and Crown at Mundy Bois 01233 840 048. This is on the route of both extensions and is a short diversion from the main walk. From there, allow 45-50 minutes to the station.
The Dering Arms, 01233 840 371, opposite the station, is closed Sundays from 3:30. It’s haunted anyway.
Directions here T=2.21
3 comments:
2 alighted from the train at Pluckley. It was drizzling and dull. It was very muddy across the fields.-.walking on tarmac was a relief! Both of us picnicked in the churchyard
in Pluckley.
This correspondent did the 7.5 mile walk catching.the 14.37 back to Victoria.
Definitely a walk for the spring.
I would concur: too muddy to be pleasurable at this time of year. Two other points to note: the extensions are not mapped so you need to rely on the written directions (which are fine); and rumour has it that both the Swan and the Black Horse are closing this month because their leases are up.
n=2 w=drizzling-and-dull
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