Walk 2011 - printer friendly version

Chartwell from Crockham Hill Walk

Author - Gary Janks

Length - 2.8 miles / 4.6 km

Ascent - 500 feet / 152 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference TQ442505
Lat 51.235469 + Long 0.064146096
Postcode TN8 6RD (approx. location only)

Start at The Royal Oak pub in Crockham Hill (grid ref. TQ442505), three or four miles south of Westerham in Kent. Walk up the hill from the pub on the left-hand side of the road and take the left fork into the village off the main road (B2026) and proceed up the road going past the quaint village houses on either side. Join and cross over the B269 road and walk up the right hand side of it until you come to the way marked footpath leading up and off to the right. Following this path will bring you to a car park. There are two footpaths to the right, take the more diagonal right hand turning that goes up the hill, which is way marked as the Greensand Way.

Walk through Crockhamhill Common until you come to the Hosey Common Road (B2026) and cross over, climb over the stile on the other side and walk to the top of the hill following the footpath to Chartwell house. At the top of the hill you will find you can either take a walk that goes off to the left which takes you down the hill until you come to the main entrance to Chartwell. Be careful as you climb down the steps on the footpath to the main road (Mapleton Road) that runs past Chartwell. Otherwise you can go straight on the footpath to the bottom until you also come out at the Chartwell house, but further up the Mapleton Road. Visit the house if you have the time and if it is open, as it offers a fascinating insight into the previous owner, Sir Winston Churchill.

Walk back up the second footpath mentioned above, that brought you to Chartwell, until at the top of the hill you find a footpath turning to the left. Take this until you come to a stile, climb over to take the footpath that leads along the right hand side of the cultivated field. If you follow this path along the outside of the field you will come to a spectacular view over Kent from the Greensand ridge at a point called Mariners Hill. In any case, you should go back and find the exit from the field over the stile continue along the path which descends to a tarred road. Turn left on the tarred road to Froghole a tiny hamlet that commands another excellent view from the ridge of the Kent fields below it.

When you have been along this road for a hundred metres or so you will find the way marked footpath on your right. Walk down the steep steps past a romantic thatched cottage and its pretty garden. Climb over the stile, follow the path to the next stile, climb over to the next stile into the field and walk along with a wonderful, "green and pleasant" view of the Greensand ridge and the homes of Froghole behind you, until you come to a church on your right where there is a stile on your left further on. Cross over and follow the tarred road until you come to the main road of the Crockham Hill village, turn left and cross over the B2026 and walk down the hill until you arrive back at The Royal Oak pub, where you can have a good pint of real ale and a delicious meal too.

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