DISCOVERKENT
WALK THIS WAY CONT .
AMY ’ S PANTRY SANDWICH
Family Friendly Cross Country
With a short distance of just four miles , this walk is perfect for all the family and a wonderful way to discover the delights of Tenterden , The Jewel of The Weald . As well as going through countryside that is impossibly photogenic and typical of west Kent , with its ancient landscape of orchards , woodlands and valleys , this walk will take you past some foodie treasures to help you on your way . With weatherboarded cottages , duck ponds , traditional inns and sleepy churchyards , this is quintessential rural England at its best . The beautiful lake Ashenden and the lovely buildings grouped around the ponds at Forstal Farm are picturesque features of the route , and will capture the imaginations of adults and children alike .
The walk starts at the entrance to Bells Lane , an alleyway opposite the St Mildred ’ s church in the centre of the town . Before embarking upon your journey , stop for breakfast at Amy ’ s Pantry ( www . facebook . com / amyspantrytenterden ) for a speciality coffee and a famous Amy ’ s Breakfast . Follow the narrow Bells Lane that gets wider until you get to a meadow to reach the B2082 . Bear left on this road , taking care of passing traffic until you reach a beautiful example of one of Kent ’ s iconic oast houses at Ratsbury . Walk a few yards further to a stile in the hedge on the left leading into an orchard . Cross this orchard diagonally and then jump over another stile and a plank bridge . Turn left by the hedge and , following a waymark post , bear right along the edge of another orchard , passing to the right of a pond perfect for children to glimpse creepy crawlies and pondlife in the mud .
Carry along this path and you will reach a concrete drive at the end of the farmyard . Look ahead and a waymark will direct you to the left and through yet another Garden of England orchard . Cross the stile at the end of the orchard and cross the next meadow . Cut diagonally to the right-hand corner where it joins another right of way just above Ashenden . Descend the bank to the drive below and bear left to walk below grassy slopes . Where these end , a stunning view over a valley opens up .
Descend into the valley and take in its glassy lake . Follow the track to the bottom and then take a sharp left and cross a footbridge over a stream and walk back to the lake , climbing up its bank to the path which runs along its shore . Look out for herons stalking through the waters and long grasses or flying overhead . At the end of the lake there is a path which continues along the wooded valley , yet another wonderful place to spot wildlife such as pheasants and grey squirrels . The path soon comes to a peaceful meadow ; after this cross a footbridge and turn right to climb away from the stream and reach a stile on to a track which leads steeply uphill with woods to the right .
You will reach Forstal Farm , beyond which there is a picturesque scene with an oast house and halftimbered cottage set close together in a meadow , then bear left before a gate , walking between the ponds to a plank bridge and a stile . After climbing the stile , turn left and walk along the edge of two fields . Cross another stile and a plank bridge , and you will spot Tenterden church ahead . Turn right after the bridge and then bear left to cross the neck of a field on a clear path . After crossing another stile and plank bridge , climb up the right-hand side of the field towards the houses at the top .
Cross a final stile and then bear left to cross a lane and find the continuation of the path which passes behind the houses . You will reach a footbridge over a stream . Follow the narrow enclosed path then turn right on to the lane and then take a footpath which eventually crosses the road to reach your starting point , Tenterden Church . End your walk with lunch or dinner at The White Lion ( www . whiteliontenterden . com ) which serves up delicious , local food and crafted drinks . This is also the perfect place to stay the night , as one of their fourteen fabulous bedrooms is certain to give you a wellearned , luxurious sleep .
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