landcapes and romance Artists and poets have been inspired by the idyllic scenes of picturesque Kent villages sheltered by rolling, chalk hills.

Transcription

1 landcapes and romance Artists and poets have been inspired by the idyllic scenes of picturesque Kent villages sheltered by rolling, chalk hills. WALK

2 WALK 4 42 Pond Location: Distance: 5 miles (8km) Time: allow 3 hours Explorer Map: 147 Terrain: steep, open farmland and hills Stiles: 8 Parking: Free car park in Refreshments and facilities: public houses and restaurants in Shoreham and Public transport: for information about local bus and train services in Kent, contact Traveline tel: , Step count: approx 10,000 Crown copyright

3 This peaceful and refreshing walk starts by the river in the picturesque village of and then climbs high above the valley to take in stunning views. Quickly leave the sound of traffic behind and enjoy the birdsong following the lane to join the Darent Valley Path. Running alongside the banks of the Darent across the golf course and through a cricket field you reach the centre of Shoreham just by the historic building of The George public house. Follow the road past the impressive churchyard of St Peter and St Paul and pass under the railway bridge for an invigorating walk up the hillside towards the woods. Leave the woodland and turn left to follow the road, taking advantage of clearings in the trees to look back across the valley. Turn right along the track past Warren Farm and head over the fields to discover a dramatic view of the Memorial Cross carved into the hillside at Shoreham. Follow the path through mature woodland before emerging to join an ancient trackway with plenty of viewing points taking in the village of and beyond to the Greensand ridge of Sevenoaks. In summer, this is an excellent place to pause and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and the wildlife, including hundreds of colourful butterflies and wild flowers that thrive on the chalklands. Butterflies are a feature of the Downs from spring through to the autumn and the adonis blue and chalkhill blue are completely dependent on chalk grasslands for their survival. Their caterpillars feed on horseshoe vetch which flourishes here. Other distinctive butterflies to be seen on the Downs include the small blue, common blue, brown argus, marbled white, dark green fritillary and grayling. Pass through the gate and turn into the woods. Here the path is strewn with large nodules of flint and lined with crab apple trees delightful in Spring. Turn right along the road through a traditional hamlet and then bear right again to join a short section of the famous North Downs Way. Cross the field to take the steep and narrow stepped path down back to the centre of with its fine medieval buildings and independent shops, restaurants and traditional inns. 43

4 WALK 4 did you know? The wooden porch of St Peter and St Paul, at Shoreham, is carved from just one piece of wood. The grain of the timber runs across the whole façade. 44 duckpond is scheduled as a listed building and the parish council provides a seed allowance for the ducks. The pond was the main source of water for the village into the 20th century. look out for... Historic brick and tile buildings and house signs indicating former shops in the centre of Shoreham The 12th century church of St Peter and St Paul at Shoreham An Ordnance Survey triangulation point metres above sea level Butterflies and wildflowers on the chalk hills The impressive yew trees that line the churchyard in Shoreham were planted in The romantic landscape artist Samuel Palmer lived in Shoreham for many years and was passionate about the local pastoral landscape. High Street is part of the old Pilgrims Way and still features numerous medieval buildings. To mark the Millennium, residents set about constructing one of the world s largest scale models depicting the solar system. There is a legend that when Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, visited he did not like the water he was served. He struck the ground with his crosier and two springs appeared. An inventory taken of the Archbishops Palace at in 1573 states that 200 keys were missing. Today only a single tower and gallery remain. The North Downs Way National Trail, the premier route in the South East, runs for 153 miles from Farnham through to Dover.

5 Church Leaveyourcarathome and catch the train WALK 4 Bench 45 Solar System Start/Finish Leaveyourcarathome and catch the train Open access land - areas of land where you can walk freely and don t have to stick to public footpaths Crown copyright Kilometres Miles Darent Valley Path p Parking Visitor Centre " Public House Museum HGolf Course Take care Gate Stile Railway Stations