UPDATE 6 AUGUST: DOGS ARE NO LONGER WELCOME ON THIS WALK AS WE WILL BE CROSSING SEVERAL LARGE FIELDS LIKELY TO CONTAIN CATTLE.
A scenic walk along the High Weald Landscape Trail, linking Rolvenden and Benenden. We'll walk through a typical High Weald landscape of ancient woodland, ridges, fields and sunken lanes, passing farmsteads and oast houses. The high ridges and low valleys made farming a marginal activity and helped to preserve the area's wooded character.
Six stiles, some in poor condition. One steady uphill road section at the end of the walk.
Short break part-way through the walk at Rolvenden churchyard (bring own refreshments).
Non-members are welcome to join this walk as one of their three free 'taster' Ramblers walks. Please contact the walk leader if you haven't walked with us before and would like to come along.
Benenden rose to prominence in the 14th century as a centre for the Weald's two major industries; iron-making and cloth-making. This prosperity faded by the 18th century due to foreign competition in the case of iron, and because the cloth industry moved north.
After the walk, join us for drinks* at The Bull Inn adjacent to Benenden village green, or take the opportunity to visit nearby Tenterden, Chapel Down Winery, Cranbrook or Small Hythe Place (National Trust). In Benenden, the garden of The Copper House will be open until 16.00 on 17 August, raising funds for Hospice in the Weald.
* The Bull Inn doesn’t offer food on Sundays. However, nearby Rolvenden has three pub/restaurants serving meals on Sunday afternoon.