Charing walk

This is a walk of about 11.5 miles, from the village of Charing, the highlights of which include the remote Challock church, as well as a ruined church set within Eastwell Park. There are a few climbs throughout, but should be nothing too troublesome for the regular walker, whilst of course there could be mud

Walking at our usual healthy pace, the circuit joins a byway which ascends adjacent to the Kent Gliding Club airfield at Squids Gate. We continue all the way to the A252, walking initially on the roadside verge, before a path takes us through the trees slightly away from the busy road.

Our route then turns south, passing beside Beech Court Gardens and through conifer trees, before entering Eastwell Park, where the adjacent Challock church sits proudly above the surrounding countryside. We drop down through Eastwell Park to join the North Downs Way (NDW) to stop briefly at the ruins of St Mary's church, which we have visited numerous times previously. This is of course where you will find a monument to Richard Plantagent, who is reputedly the illegitimate son of Richard III

We will leave the NDW, to descend to the village of Westwell, stopping for drinks at the Wheel Public House. After our break, there is a short steady climb back to the NDW, that we then follow for much of the return back to our starting point.

As well as the pub drinks stop, there will the usual picnic lunch break, at a suitable point along the way, most likely this will be at either of the two churches en route.

Dogs welcome, but on a short lead when required.

Walk leader is Kevin Hall