The Walk: From Lenham station, we rejoin the NDW where we left off. The trail follows the Pilgrims Way along the foot of the Downs to the village of Wye situated on the River Stour.
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| Lenham Cross |
Route
NB The map shows my route, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.
Why do it? The walk is bookended by two pleasant villages (Lenham and Wye), and by two war memorial emblems carved into the chalk hillside, namely the Lenham Cross and the Wye Crown.
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| Wye Crown, seen across the Stour Valley |
The Pilgrims Way often runs though trees and between hedgerows, giving welcome shade on a hot day, with occasional glimpses of the verdant countryside either side.
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| Typical Pilgrims Way |
The route through Eastwell Park is more open, and passes close to the atmospheric ruins of St Mary's church, said to house the Tomb of Richard Plantagenet, illegitimate son of Richard II. (The Park was the estate of the Earls of Winchelsea. The grand stately home is now a Champneys Resort, and is not visible from the NDW.)
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| Ruined St Mary's Church, Eastwell Park |
The village of Boughton Lees has a traditional village green/cricket pitch.
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| Boughton Lees |
The Perry Court Farm tea shop offers a welcome break before descending into the Stour Valley and the pleasant village of Wye.
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| Perry Court Farm |
Logistics: Start at Lenham Station, and walk though the village and up to join the trail. You can park at the station (charge). Note I think that parking in Lenham village centre is limited to at most 2 hours Monday - Saturday, but there are no restrictions on Sunday, but check signs carefully.
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| Lenham Station |
Finish at Wye Station, right on the trail (trains back to Lenham via Ashford International).
You could shorten the walk by cutting down to Charing station.
Distance: 1 mile from Lenham Station to rejoin the NDW, 12 miles along the trail to Wye, 13 miles in total. (Note the official NDW Trail website states the mileage along the trail as 9.3 miles. The difference is difficult to reconcile, maybe my GPS overestimates.)
Challenges: There is some walking on tarmac lanes, albeit largely traffic free.
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| On the road |
It is rather frustrating that just when the Downs begin to open out, the route is at low level, presumably since there are few rights of way along the top of the escarpment.
The A20 runs quite close in places.
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A20, top left
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Refreshments: Pubs, shops etc in Lenham and Wye. The Tickled Trout is just over the bridge from Wye station and has an inviting riverside garden.
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| Tickled Trout, beside the Stour |
There is a pub in the village of Boughton Lees (the Flying Horse - it was closed on Monday when I passed by).
There is a tea shop at Perry Court Farm, if you can't wait for the pubs in Wye about 1 mile distant.
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| Perry Court Farm Tea Room |
Nearby Walks:
For an overview map of all my walks along the North Downs Way see this page.
Previous section: Detling to Lenham
Next section: Wye to Tolsford Hill
More Photos
Hot sunny day in July
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| Lenham |
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| Lenham Church |
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| Approaching the Lenham Cross |
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| Memorial seat at Lenham Cross |
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| Lenham Cross |
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| On the Pilgrims Way |
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| Woodland shade |
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| Wild flowers |
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| Ruined barn |
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| Thistles |
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| Welcome seat (thank you 'Ralph') |
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| The route doubles as Cycle Route 17 |
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| Glimpse of vineyard |
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| Shady spot |
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| Tarmac lane, after A252 above Charing |
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| I climbed a footpath to attempt to get a view |
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| Path through Eastwell Park |
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| Downs above Eastwell Park |
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| Abundance of little white flowers (chamomile?) |
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| In Eastwell Park |
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| Home Farm (house) Eastwell Park |
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| Glimpses of Eastwell Lake |
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| Eastwell Park drive |
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| Skyline |
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| Water tower? |
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| NDW leaving Eastwell Park |
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| Boughton Lees green |
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| Chamomile ring? |
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| Wye Crown |
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| River Stour in Wye |
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| Tickled Trout pub |
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| Cool River Stour |
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| Wye station |
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