insideKENT Magazine Issue 93 - December 2019 | Page 82

DAYSOUT
EXPLORE CANTERBURY WITH
The Tyler Hill and
the Sarre Penn Valley Walk
THE CIRCULAR TYLER HILL AND THE SARRE PENN VALLEY WALK IS WIDELY KNOWN FOR ITS HISTORIC
LINKS TO THE MEDIEVAL POTTERY AND TILE TRADE THAT THE NAMESAKE AREA IS KNOWN FOR. THIS
WALK TAKES YOU ON A JOURNEY THROUGH STRIKING, ANCIENT OAK AND CHESTNUT WOODS, WHICH
ARE LOVED BY SO MANY RESIDENTS. AS WELL AS TAKING YOU BACK IN TIME THROUGH MEDIEVAL
HISTORY, THIS WALK ALSO VENTURES THROUGH THE LARGEST AND MOST ANCIENT WOODLAND IN
THE SOUTH EAST - THE BLEAN. AN AREA KNOWN TO BE NATIONALLY, AND EVEN INTERNATIONALLY,
IMPORTANT FOR WILDLIFE.
There are many well-known, respected monuments
and points of interest to stop and visit on this walk.
Tyler Hill was at the centre of the medieval tile and
pottery industry, making everything from bowls to
chimney pots, some of which have been found as
far away as northern France and Germany. As well
as this you have the opportunity to admire the Sarre
Penn Stream, an ancient stream which rises from
beneath the field of Foresters Lodge Farm in Dunkirk.
Lastly amble past the 16th Century Mayton Farm,
which serves the purpose of reminding walkers of
the more recent history of the landscape.
As you start this walk you will enter the Great Hall
Wood and venture onwards through chestnut
coppice, interspersed with standard oaks, native to
the Tyler Hill area. As you move further through
the woodland, you’ll notice the dips and hollows
formed where clay was excavated for the tile industry
for which Tyler Hill is named.
Moving south-eastward, you will be greeted by the
ancient Sarre Penn which borders the woodland
area and creates a scenic landscape to stop and
admire. As you travel along the stream’s bank,
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be sure to look out for the arable fields which were
once hop gardens bordered by a striking row of
poplar pollards.
As you approach the bottom of the valley, enjoy the
amazing views of Alcroft Grange, commissioned by
Canterbury’s most famous artist, Sidney Cooper.
Carrying on along the riverside and over a footbridge,
you will be beneath an impressive old oak tree which
stands tall, marking the border between Hackington
and Sturry. From here, step into one of the stunning
orchards that both Tyler Hill and surrounding area
are known for.
As you venture through the amazing apple
orchards of Tyler Hill, you will come across quaint
cottages which surround and protect the orchards
and respected veteran oak trees. Moving forward
into the arable field, you will venture towards the
Sarre Penn stream where you should be cautious
due to potential flooding, which can turn the
sleepy meandering stream into a raging torrent.
On this adventure be sure to look out for the
distinctive male catkins and female cones on a
magnificent alder tree.
As you near the end of this stunning walk you
will pass through Mayton Farm, where you are able
to admire the striking oast house which still stands
tall today. Although the farmhouse was demolished
in 1953, Mayton Farm was an important part of
Kent’s hop growing history, once having 100 acres
dedicated to growing these crops. After admiring
the historic oast, you will emerge into wooded fields,
which in Spring are carpeted in wood anemones
and other flowers.
After exploring more woodland areas, emerge
into the recreation ground under the impressive old
holly tree. Look out for the Radfall, an ancient
droveway, on the right. These two woodbanks
with ditches alongside kept animals from straying
into the woodland and feeding on the valuable
new shoots.
Retrace your steps and you cross the recreation
ground back to where you started at the Tyler's Kiln
Pub where you could enjoy a warming pub lunch
and a well-earned refreshment.