Walking in Kent. Kev Reynolds
in Crockham Hill – it is signed from the B2026. Where the lane curves left for the final approach to the church go ahead through a kissing gate beside a field gate, into a meadow at a dedicated picnic area. Cross slightly left ahead towards a gate in a fence and maintain direction on a grass path leading over the undulating meadow which was drastically reshaped by a landslip in 1596.
The path brings you to a second kissing gate and a footbridge over a stream. Rise up the left-hand side of the next meadow, then over a stile continue up 134 steps between gardens to pass a thatched cottage half hidden behind a fence and shrubs. Coming onto a lane opposite a converted oasthouse once owned by Octavia Hill, turn left for about 400 metres until reaching the B2026 shortly after passing the attractive Froghole Farm (built 1559).
At least a dozen oasthouses stand in and around Crockham Hill, proving that the village was once at the heart of a major hop growing region. Wild hops may still be seen growing among the hedgerows, but Kent’s commercial hop industry has declined dramatically since the Second World War, and there are now no hop gardens left in this corner of the county. Much of this decline is due to competition from abroad, and other economic factors. On Walk 9, the oasthouse at Bough Beech Visitor Centre contains a small but interesting display all about hop growing, and is recommended.
On the slope of Mariners Hill, Froghole Farm was built in 1559
Climb more steps immediately on your right, and continue ahead at crossing paths. The right-hand path leads through trees to a seat erected by Octavia Hill in memory of her mother, then continues over Mariners Hill – saved for the nation by Octavia’s efforts – where there’s another seat with a huge view. Keep ahead alongside a fence with the crown of Mariners Hill to the right, then veer left among trees. The path curves to the right and forks. Keep to the right-hand option alongside the boundary fence of a solitary house, and shortly after crossing its drive, the way begins to slope downhill. After about 250 metres you’ll see a broad path/track on the left. Turn right here on a gravel path which descends between more trees, eventually coming onto a country road a little south of Chartwell, home of Winston Churchill for many years, but now open to the public via the National Trust (see Walk 3).
Turn right along the road for about 30 metres, then cut left on a drive leading to Chartwell Farm. Keeping to the left-hand side of the farmhouse (magnificent rhododendrons and azaleas in early summer), you then pass alongside two sets of oasthouses and go through a kissing gate onto a track. Keep ahead over a stile beside a gate, soon veering slightly right on a hedge-lined path that eventually brings you onto Puddledock Lane at TQ 462 509, where you turn left.
Passing the few houses of Puddledock, follow the narrow lane for ½ mile/800 metres uphill towards Toys Hill. A few paces beyond the entrance to Little Toys, turn right on a short driveway that leads to Bardogs Farmhouse. Another 200 metres up the lane in the hamlet of Toys Hill, stands the Octavia Hill wellhead from which there’s a magnificent view over the Weald. A footpath now squeezes alongside a hedge to the left of a gate and continues downhill, curving left then right. Ignoring an alternative which cuts off to the left, this path becomes almost a sunken track before reaching a gate leading into a meadow.
Wander down the slope keeping fairly close to the right-hand woodland, to find two stiles at the bottom corner. Over the left of these walk ahead among trees, then enter another meadow. After a few paces go through a gap in a line of trees, then aim slightly right ahead over open meadowland with long views stretching ahead. On the far side, about 30 metres from its right-hand corner, cross a stile and continue ahead following the right-hand boundary of another large meadow. Halfway along the boundary come to a barn where you turn right, go through a gate and onto a farm track by Obriss Farm. Now walk ahead along the farm drive/track, crossing a ford on the way, and eventually coming to Mapleton Road about 1 mile/1.5km south of Chartwell at TQ 460 501.
A bluebell-fringed woodland near Obriss Farm
Parts of the splendid old Obriss Farm buildings date back to 1550. Occupying an isolated position amid beautiful countryside, the farm is now in the care of the Landmark Trust, from which the house may be rented for holiday use www.landmarktrust.org.uk.
Turn left along the road for a few paces, then break to the right on a track beside an attractive tile-hung cottage. This track is notoriously muddy and waterlogged in winter – or at any time of year in inclement weather. After about 400 metres, where it rises and makes a right-hand bend, leave the track to cross a stile on the right into a large open field from which you have views of the Greensand Ridge, and with Crockham Hill church seen across the fields half-left.
Walk towards the left-hand edge of a woodland, keep ahead alongside its boundary, then veer half-right to another stile. Over this, after a few paces, enter another meadow and turn left alongside a woodland shaw. On reaching a corner continue ahead to yet another stile. This brings you into a sloping meadow where you veer right down to a field gate and a stile by a small stream. Over the stile walk up the next slope, at first alongside its right-hand edge, then on a faint grass path to the head of the slope where you can see the red tile-hung house known as Chandlers. Leave the meadow through a kissing gate, from which there’s a glorious view back across the Weald.
The way now continues between hedges and a garden wall, and is soon directed left between fences dividing two sections of garden. Leave this through a white gate, then turn right on a driveway which drops down a slope to the head of a narrow lane. Veer left along the lane, soon passing a group of houses, the last of which is the lovely old Close Farm. The lane continues between fields, and eventually comes to the B2026 in Crockham Hill. The Royal Oak pub is just off to the left, should you be in need of refreshment. Turn right, and after passing a row of houses, turn right again into Church Road where the walk began.
WALK 5
Toys Hill to Ide Hill, Crockham Hill and French Street
| Start/Finish | National Trust car park, Toys Hill (TQ 470 517) |
| Distance | 9 miles/14.5km |
| Maps | OS Explorer 147 |
| Refreshments | Pubs in Toys Hill, Ide Hill and Crockham Hill; café/shop at Ide Hill; tearoom at Chartwell |
| Access | On minor road (Chart Lane) heading south from A25 at Brasted, midway between Brasted and Four Elms. Buses serve Ide Hill from Edenbridge and Sevenoaks. |
| Parking | National Trust car park (fee payable) |
Between the Kent–Surrey border and Sevenoaks, the Greensand Ridge is criss-crossed with numerous footpaths, while the long-distance Greensand Way exploits some of the finest views over the Kentish Weald. Toys Hill, Ide Hill and Crockham Hill are among the highest places along the ridge, while French Street is a delightful hamlet nestling on the northern slope whose valley drains down into the unseen Holmesdale Valley, beyond which stretches the North Downs wall.
This walk – the longest and hilliest of the main routes in this book – not only picks out some of the most expansive vantage points along that ridge, but also weaves a route along the lower slopes, going from farm to farm in a surprisingly tranquil landscape. As with Walk 4, this also connects a number of sites associated with the life of Octavia Hill, and the continuing work of the National Trust.
Toys Hill consists of 450 acres/180ha of woodland in the care of the National Trust. Those on the east side of the road are named after Octavia Hill, one of the co-founders of the Trust.
From the entrance to the National Trust car park on the west side of the road on Toys Hill, cross to the east side where a footpath