Over the last 50 years, massive changes have taken place in the landscape of north Kent. Modern farming practices, the use of fertilisers and pesticides, plus alterations in grazing patterns, have destroyed or damaged large areas of ancient woodland, hedgerows and much of the chalk grassland habitat that was once so distinctive. In 1997 the Woodland Trust bought 232 hectares (573 acres) of the Hucking estate with the aim of reversing this trend. So far more than 180,000 native trees and nearly a mile of hedgerows have been planted, 55 hectares (136 acres) of meadowland have been re-created, dark paths have been opened up and widened and coppicing reintroduced along their edges. Coppicing the trees and allowing them to regrow as multi-stemmed plants has allowed increased light to reach the ride edges, encouraging bluebells and other woodland flowers to proliferate. This in turn has provided additional habitats for butterflies such as the silver-washed fritillary and white admiral.
This surprisingly peaceful walk follows two waymarked trails (red and blue) around the estate with an extension along the North Downs Way, taking in Hollingbourne Downs, an area of unspoilt chalk grassland with orchids and cowslips in abundance in the spring/early summer. A full-colour leaflet giving more detailed information on what can be seen is available free of charge from the car park, the Hook & Hatchet Inn or the Woodland Trust’s central office (telephone 01476 581111).
1 START
From Woodland Trust car park, follow red waymarks through kissing gate and cross grassland to second gate. Cross next field to third gate. Follow path through plantation and on to fourth gate. Turn L, keeping mature woodland on R. After 100 metres turn R through squeeze gap and follow path through wood. After 80 metres turn L on to wide path. At end, turn L on to another grassy path. Pass through squeeze gap and after 30 metres turn R on to surfaced track known as the Droveway.
2 1 MILE
For shorter route, continue along the Droveway, passing chalk well on L. Turn R through wooden kissing gate to join main route again at point 4.
As track reaches edge of wood and bends to R, depart from red waymarked trail and take narrow footpath to L, pass through fence and across arable field. Turn L on to track leading to houses. As track bends to L, turn R. After 30 metres, pass through gate (next to dilapidated stile) and, after passing through next gate on to road, turn R. Cross road before Hollingbourne House to maximise visibility on bend. After 120 metres, take public footpath to L, go through kissing gate and follow path with marvellous views across the Weald of Kent. Keeping chalk pits on slope to R, head down to kissing gate next to yew tree. Cross arable field, to R of two beech trees, and turn R on to track. Cut corner off field by turning R before end of track. Pass through hedge and turn R on to quiet lane (North Downs Way). Continue straight on at the Glebe, past houses and turn R at crossroads with the Dirty Habit pub on L.
3 3 MILES
Take care to cross road before bend, and after 20 metres take steps on L to climb up field-edge path. Pass through kissing gate and leave road edge to diagonally cross chalk meadow (steep for 100 metres). At next waymark follow path round hill to L, taking in the view. Pass through kissing gate and continue up path, keeping scrub on R. Go through kissing gate at top and follow track with wood on L. Pass through next gate and follow contoured path to gate leading into woodland. Continue on North Downs Way, passing metal gate on L and pylon on R, to track with Woodland Trust sign. Turn R, leaving North Downs Way, and at wooden kissing gate turn L to rejoin red waymarked route.
4 4 MILES
Cross grass field, sticking close to fence on L. At waymark continue across field with stunning views on L. Follow arrows as mature woodland on R becomes plantation, and pass through kissing gate, then bear R across field. Follow path between oak tree and woodland, then turn R to follow wood edge to gate adjacent to large beech. Follow grassy path and after 300 metres turn L. At edge of wood, bear R, keeping wood on R and stock fence on L.
5 5½ MILES
For longer route incorporating Hook & Hatchet Inn, continue on to pass through kissing gate. Cross muddy field entrance and turn L to go through second gate and up woodland-edge path. Turn R at corner (following blue arrows) and take care along gently undulating path. Turn L at waymark to go up to gate on edge of wood. Once through, turn L and follow path as it bends to R after 40 metres to run parallel with road. Pass through gate and cut diagonally across field, heading for gate by Hook & Hatchet Inn. Head back up side of field and pass through gate at top. Take route across field, continuing straight on at waymark post to brow of hill. Bear R, sticking close to plantation fence on R, and follow blue arrows round to muddy field entrance. Leaving blue trail, take kissing gate ahead of you (not to R) and, after 20 metres, turn L at point 5 to rejoin red route.
For shortcut, follow red arrow to R.
At crossroads turn L along path and pass under barrier at top of woodland. Follow red arrows through squeeze gap and into open field. Turn L at kissing gate to head back to car park.
[INFORMATION BOX]
TERRAIN
All routes are on well-defined wide grassy paths or tracks. The longer route has two short road sections (care is needed) and it climbs down and then up the North Downs scarp slope above Hollingbourne.
PARKING
The Woodland Trust’s Hucking estate car park (grid reference TQ848581).
Hook & Hatchet Inn (grid reference TQ837582).
The Dirty Habit, Hollingbourne (grid reference TQ845553).
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Trains and buses travel to Hollingbourne.
For information on train and bus services call Traveline on 0870 608 2608 www.traveline.org.uk
For details of coach services contact National Express on 0870 580 8080 www.nationalexpress.com
REFRESHMENTS
Hook & Hatchet Inn (grid reference TQ837582; telephone 01622 880830; www.hookandhatchet.co.uk
The Dirty Habit (grid reference TQ845553; telephone 01622 880880;)www.thedirtyhabit.co.uk
ACCOMMODATION AND TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist Information Centre,Town Hall, High Street, Maidstone ME14 1TF (grid reference TQ760557; telephone 01622 602169).
Nearest youth hostel is 11½ miles away at Medway (grid reference TQ782651; telephone 0870 770 5964 or visit www.yha.org.uk).
MAPS
Ordnance Survey Explorer 148, Landranger 178 & 188
OTHER WOODS TO VISIT
See the Our Woods section on this website
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For walks featured in earlier editions of Broadleaf click on the links below: