Walk 21: Hosey Common/Chartwell

With glorious woodland of all types, views over Sevenoaks Churchill’s house to the Kent Weald and a secluded valley brought alive by spring waters Westerham, B2026 Biggin Hill, this 100-minute walk packs in a lot SE London Start How long? 1hr 45 mins/4 miles Start (Hosey Common car park) Public transport: 246 bus from to point 2 (1.2km) Walk south for Bromley/Hayes to Westerham 30 minutes or so from the car park (see also Walk 15 which covers through mixed woodland following the much of the same route but signs for Chartwell. The woodland is Tower Hill from Westerham) being revived by Kent Wildlife Trust so is a bit scarred where rhododendrons Distance from SE London? and other invasive species are 45-min drive from Forest Hill (17 being stripped. On the left, close to miles) the start, is Westerham Mines... old Parking: easy, Hosey Common ragstone mines that are home to many car park (free) bats. Just follow the waymarkers to Chartwell... you can’t get lost. Start of walk: footpath south Point 2-3 (500m) When you hit a from Hosey Common car park lane (Hosey Common Lane) you are at point 2. Cross and take the path/ Steep slopes? No, but you do bridleway opposite with a fence on have to cross a stream by your right still heading for Chartwell, walking on a log now going downhill, heading roughly Day out? Chartwell, Squerreys south west. This is a slightly boring Estate, Westerham, Ide Hill, section until views start opening up to Downe, Sevenoaks all within a your left of the Weald and Chartwell’s few miles. lovely acres. After a few minutes you’ll Chartwell see the National Trust car park on Walk highlights/refreshments the left and will cross Mapleton Road. Greensand Ridge woods, River Resume on the path opposite now Darent at its source, view over climbing steeply uphill (briefly). Almost Churchill’s house. Chartwell NT immediately look for path on the left cafe. Ordnance Survey Explorer heading south, now well elevated Mariner Hill loop 147 map ▲ above the road. Edenbridge N ½ mile Click here for GPX track (press Point 3-4 (1km) Take this left path ½ a mile icon bottom right for location – heading towards towering cedar and could be flaky though) Wellingtonia conifer trees. Soon, you’ll find two benches; both have the valley of the infant Darent. back down closer to the river. After 800 brilliant views over Chartwell and the Point 5-6 (0.6km) Valley of the Infant metres or so, the path turns right (east, Weald. After this, the path descends Darent So, you’ve gone through the then south east) leaving the river. You and meets a path junction. Here, turn gate; keep going on the grassland are now skirting the northern edge of right (west) uphill. Another brill view which is the water meadow of the Tower Hill with its giant firs and pines. opens up to your left across a large Darent – a stream off to the right. To On your left there is open grassland meadow. Continue past the fence of the left is a meadow leading up to a and a short steep hill which, if you were a large house with a beautiful beech lonely cottage.To the right now, beyond to climb, offers a lovely view. However, tree in its garden by the fence. Soon the stream, you’ll see the tall pines of we’re following the lower land now to the path (slightly hidden by the fence Tower Hill on the skyline. Soon you’ll the south east and will head back into – don’t confuse with the house’s drive) see a stile. the woods with the giant conifers. You’ll descends sharply to the B2026. Point 6-7 (c. 50m) Climb over the stile see signs for Chartwell again, so follow Point 4-5 (0.8km) Cross the B2026 then very soon see a track on your these (ignoring path off to the right) to a and take the bridlepath/path opposite, right leading east down to the stream. path junction (point 9). downhill, which slowly bends to the Point 7-8 (c. 100m) Walk down the Point 9-finish (350m): At the junction north west. Ignore the path off to the track and cross the stream, using the turn sharp left (north east) with an left you soon come across and keep aforementioned log (two good strides). ornate garden (great azaleas in on through woodland, passing some Point 8-9: (1.3km) After crossing, turn spring) visible through the trees/ ancient beech trees that have fused left (north east). The path starts to rhododendrons to your left and a house together. Soon you’ll note The Coach climb slightly away from the river (and not dissimilar to Chartwell. Soon you’ll House grounds on your right and see continues up and over Tower Hill, a hit the B2026 and will see Hosey open ground ahead. Pass through short cut to the car park) but soon, take Common car park ahead. Nice stroll. Wellingtonia tree, Chartwell the metal gate into this open area: a path bearing left which takes you [email protected]

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