Lyminge walk

This is an exhilarating and energetic 12-mile walk (approximately 1250 foot ascent), commencing from Lyminge, that has plenty of World War Two connections scattered throughout, along with glorious views across the English Channel, especially when striding out across Folkestone Downs.

Leaving Lyminge, we head uphill to reach Paddlesworth, passing the Cat and Custard Pot, which was used by RAF Spitfire and Hurricane pilots, taking off from the nearby airfield at Hawkinge during WW2. Continuing on, we proceed along Gibraltar Lane, heading towards Round Hill, where we then join the North Downs Way, before making our way to Castle Hill alongside Crete Road West. This is a truly delightful stretch of the NDW, and we follow it along the top of the ridge for quite some distance, needless to say the views are wonderful.

Our picnic lunch stop will most likely be at a suitable resting point on the NDW, then when we eventually drop down to Etchinghill, there will be a pub drinks pit stop in the Gatekeeper.

All that remains in the latter stages of this fine hike, is the crossing of Etchinghill Golf Course, so keep your eye out for flying balls.

Walk leader is Kevin Hall