Walk Report

Kent Hills, Gardens and Views, Saturday 30th September 2017
23 walkers, 20 miles - leader Jerome Ripp
A large multi-national group assembled at Sevenoaks station for a semi-circular route roughly to the west and south of the town. The first section took us to Dryhill nature reserve for a circuit, there were several of these events sprinkled throughout the day; there was some muttering about going round in circles but these had all been carefully planned by the leader to offer pleasure to the group. In this case, some fine views of the north downs. South to Sundridge and Emmetts garden. There are public footpaths which lead surreptitiously to the tea room but on this occasion we went in the main entrance and although it is members only, it seems that the National Trust are trying to be more inclusive and we were all allowed in. The route became quite varied as we went over Toy's Hill and Ide Hill, the third hill was Octavia who of course was one of the NT founders and we had a break at her memorial seat with a fine view south. We continued on the Greensand Way now with some rain to add to the 4 seasons effect that the weather provided. The plan had been to finish with a crossing of Knole Park but in an attempt to avoid a short section of unpleasant road walking, the leader went for a promising short cut which developed into an illegal crossing of Beechmont bank which involved some exciting bundu-bashing and a change of plan. Sanity was restored and a final estate agent tour of millionaire properties led to the station.

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