insideKENT Magazine Issue 60 - March 2017 | Page 49

DAYSOUT
Follow the yellow footpath signs across the orchard and take the gap in the trees ahead before bearing right , then bear left to head straight across the field and through the middle of a narrow avenue of oak trees .
Look out for wonderful views of Foal Hurst Woods . In the spring there are primroses , early purple orchids and carpets of bluebells covering the woodland .
Turn right onto the track then after the oast house turn left . The path turns left between the fence and tree line , turn left at the oast house and follow the lane . Cross the main road and continue straight ahead until the lane bears left , then take the footpath ahead on your right . Go straight on between the trees and the hedgerow and follow this path towards Brenchley .
Just before another oast house you ’ ll see a waymarker in the orchard . Turn left and follow the path down through the orchard and over the stile then follow the footpath signs downhill .
After a moat on your right , follow the path as it bears left . At Chantler ’ s Hill turn right and follow the lane until you reach Mascall ’ s Court Road , then turn right and follow the lane up to Mascall ’ s Court Farm .
Just after the bend and the oast houses of Mascall ’ s Court , turn left to follow the footpath . At the large green farm building turn right and with the orchards on your right continue to follow the path .
Cross over the stile at the bottom of the field onto Church Road , turn left and follow Church Road back to the train station .
You ’ ll pass Paddock Wood cemetery on the way – it is here where the headstone of Charles Dickens ’ daughter Dorothy can be seen . A little further along near the station you ’ ll see the John Brunt VC pub . Originally called the Kent
Arms , the name was changed to honour local World War II hero John Brunt , lost in action , who was awarded the Victoria Cross .
Enjoy the arrival of early spring and explore this walk that combines food , stunning views and Kentish heritage ! What ’ s not to like ? LOCATION : PADDOCK WOOD , TN12 6ER DISTANCE : 5.3 MILES ( 8.53 KM ) CIRCULAR TIME : ALLOW 2 – 2.5 HOURS OS EXPLORER MAPS : 148
TERRAIN : SOME WALKING THROUGH TOWN IS REQUIRED . SOME PATHS CAN BECOME MUDDY . THERE ARE FOUR STILES THROUGH THE ORCHARDS AND SOME GATES .
PUBLIC TRANSPORT : THE WALK STARTS AT THE RAILWAY STATION AT PADDOCK WOOD . FOR OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT DIRECTIONS PLEASE VISIT WWW . KENTCONNECTED . ORG .
PARKING : PARKING AT PADDOCK WOOD TRAIN STATION
REFRESHMENTS & FACILITIES : JOHN BRUNT VC PUB ON CHURCH ROAD , VARIETY OF CAFES AND COFFEE SHOPS NEAR TO THE STATION .
EXPLORE MORE
To find out about other walks in Kent including our literary walks , please visit the Explore Kent website www . explorekent . org . Follow @ explorekent on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram and share your adventures with us !
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