(Walk Change) Sevenoaks Circular, 22 July

Due to the ongoing rail dispute, the advertised Meon Valley walk will be replaced by a 10-mile circular walk from Sevenoaks, via Knole House and Ightham Mote. It’s a walk we have done before and there are some great views. There are ups and downs – 100m in the morning, 200m in the afternoon but no prolonged climbs. Much of the route is on narrow paths through woods and one needs to be aware of trip hazards in the form of roots. There are one or two short steep sections, for which poles might be a help. The National Trust walk details, attached, suggest the walk is challenging, but I would hope that, as a walking club, we will find it a little easier than the average National Trust member.

Trains:  Rail services are sketchy and there are only stopping trains to Sevenoaks which go via New Cross. Take the 09.16 train to Sevenoaks from  London Bridge, platform 2 (but please check  for yourself). Arrives Sevenoaks 10.04.

Walk route: In the morning, we take a northly route via Godden Green and Stone Street to Ightham Mote where we will stop for about 45 minutes. There’s a café but I’ll be bringing a sandwich. The afternoon route takes us back via Rooks Hill.  

Catch up: In the event of your missing the train, I attach route maps for morning and afternoon. Unfortunately the highlighting is in blue, so a bit hard to make out. I also attach a map of a National Trust walk which follows the same route from Knowle Park and has a walk description. You will join at point 4, second line.

Drop out point: For those wishing to do half the walk, I would recommend the afternoon. You can hopefully get a taxi from Sevenoaks to Ightham Mote, and according to the Ightham Mote website, (Getting There ) there is a bookable Go To Service bus via an app.  I hope to arrive with group at about 1.00 pm

Mike.