Wye Downs walk

Starting at the Nature Reserve on the Wye Downs, this is a walk of approximately 13 miles, that explores some of the area that can been seen below. This includes Hatch Park, which has royal connections, having been owned by the Knatchbull family since 1486 during the reign of Henry VII.

Setting off, we leave the Nature Reserve to take the footpath to the rear of Crown Lodge, winding our way towards Hastingleigh. The circuit heads downhill, crossing the North Downs Way, before reaching a byway at the edge of Brabourne Downs, then across fields towards the Five Bells and onwards to Brabourne Lees.

On reaching Smeeth, we will most likely have our halfway picnic lunch stop at the church or nearby playing field, whilst just up the road is the Woolpack, which is useful for the obligatory pub stop en route. Suitably refuelled, the circuit continues through Jacob's Plantation and over to Hatch Park, where the historic Deer Park is located. 

The route briefly joins Quarrington Lane, before crossing field paths to pass through Naccolt Farm and alongside the edge of Nackholt Wood, which strangely are spelt differently on OS Explorer map 137. All that remains to complete the walk, is to continue upwards to Troy Town and back across Broad Downs, overlooking the Devils Kneading Trough. 

Dogs welcome, but on short lead when required.

Walk leader is Linda Barden