A new season has arrived, and what better way to celebrate the start of spring than with a scenic stride through one of Kent’s picturesque villages?
West Kent bursts with postcard-worthy towns and villages, each nestled within acres of lush landscape, just aching to be explored by foot! This month’s circular route leads ardent amblers to the delightful village of High Halden, conveniently located right between Ashford and Tenterden. With a charming church, wonderful woodland, stretches of wide-open farmland, and quiet country lanes, this rural route offers the perfect backdrop for an early spring hike…
The route
Today’s route starts and ends from the top of Church Hill, opposite The Chequers on the Green pub. Facing away from the pub, walk down Church Hill towards the church.
Just before you reach the primary school (on your right), turn right at a footpath sign and walk the length of a narrow track alongside the school grounds.
Pass through a metal kissing gate at the end of the track, and into a large field. Keep left, following the hedgerow to the left-hand corner of this field, and then along its length (to your right), looking for an opening in the hedgerow - approximately half way along.
Head through this opening and continue straight until you reach the end of the field (the hedgeline should now be sitting on your right). At the far end of the field (up to your right slightly), enter a wooded area through a gate.
Once under the trees, continue straight ahead keeping to a well-marked track in the ground. You’ll walk beneath a section of telegraph wires before looking out for a wooden plank bridge a little further along on your left, leading into a large expanse of open landscape.
Once in this field you will see a footpath sign signalling for you to follow its direction up diagonally through the field to a gap in the wooden fence at its top.
Upon reaching the top of the field cross onto the other side of the fence (which will now be sitting on your right) and walk straight to a stile at the end.
Cross the stile and walk straight until you see a pond on your right. Here, veer left and follow the path marked in the grass as it leads down the field to your left, and towards another stile at the bottom.
Keep to the left of this next field (with the hedgerow sitting just on your left), until you reach an area of trees at the far end.
Cross a low plank bridge on the left, continuing through some woodland.
A wire fence will sit to your left as you approach a tall stile up ahead. Here, you will see a sign to warn that there could be a bull in this field. Continue straight ahead through this field to a further stile and pedestrian bridge.
You will now be led into a long stretch of abandoned orchard as a clearly marked pathway weaves through this section for approximately 10 minutes.
At the top, you will arrive on a quiet country lane (Swain Road). Turn left and keep to the lane as it slopes downhill until you reach a fork in the road. Here, turn left onto Harbourne Lane. Follow the lane for a little way, passing under some trees, past a private road, and past a small row of terraced cottages.
Approximately 300 yards after these cottages look out for a footpath sign on your left, leading back into the woods (you will see a metal gate opposite the footpath sign).
Turn here, and head straight along the main footpath that runs through the trees.
At the far end of this pathway cross over a stile and into the top end of a field. At the far side of this field (down below, to your left) you’ll see a gate leading to a wooden footbridge. Cross this footbridge and turn sharp left, to go through a gate sitting just ahead of you.
Once in this field start to walk uphill, diagonally to your right. Once at the top of the field look out for a big and small tree (sitting next to one another) at the far end of the field. You will see an Oast House directly behind them (in the distance).
Walk in the direction of the Oast House, and cross into a further field, beside the big and small tree. With the hedgerow on your left, walk up through this next field, curving around to the right at the far end and towards a metal kissing gate.
This gate will lead you back onto Church Hill, a little further down the hill from the school. Climb back up Church Hill to the spot from where you started today’s circular route.
Steps, stats and stiles
At 4 miles in length, today’s circular route should take walkers approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to complete, if embarking at a steady and constant pace. The course encompasses a range of terrains, including grass, woodland, and tarmac. Waterproof shoes are highly recommended if approaching this walk on a wet day, as some of the landscape can become very muddy and slippery during wet weather conditions. With a number of stiles along the way, and some steep stretches, this month’s walk would be considered moderate access.
Parking:
Today’s route commences from the top of Church Hill, which is situated opposite The Chequers on the Green pub. There are no current parking restrictions on Church Hill, adjacent to the stretch of grass. If parking here, please take extra precaution not to block the entrance to any houses, or to cause any obstruction.
Refreshments:
When embarking on a village route, it’s only right to end up at the village pub for a post-walk pint (or cup of tea!) Luckily, High Halden’s local watering hole is ideally situated right in the heart of the village, and right by the end of today’s circuit. From traditional favourites to great vegetarian options, there’s plenty to choose from at the Chequers on the Green. What’s more, this pub’s portions are generous, which is perfect for a post-ramble refuel!
Make a day of it:
As alluded to, High Halden is just one of a handful of pretty towns and villages peppered across West Kent’s landscape. Not got your fix of village life just yet? Why not head to nearby Biddenden for a stroll amongst the village's timber-clad buildings, to Bethersden for a wander past the charming church of St Mary’s, or to Hamstreet for a meaner along the banks of Royal Military Canal?
For those looking for an activity to keep all the family entertained, a visit to the Rare Breeds Centre in nearby Woodchurch is a must. 100 acres of unspoilt countryside, and home to a host of rare and native breeds of farm livestock, this well-known attraction has something for animal lovers of every age!
Route followed: For this month’s walk we followed walk number 15 - High Halden - from the walking guide book ‘Kent year round walks’.
