Greensand Way

I hopped an early train southeast out from London, hoping to enjoy a morning of cloudy-maybe-sunny weather that didn’t involve any precipitation. (Such weather has been scarce for the past month, as we’ve received some rain nearly every day.) My goal for this hike – my 22nd consecutive weekend hike – was a region of rolling hills, pastures, and small villages called The Weald, between the North and South Downs. It was lovely! and very, very muddy.

The guidebook recommended a route that took me from Borough Green to Sevenoaks, following a section of the hundred-mile Greensand Way designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The route followed quiet country lanes, forest trails, and farm fields, through quaint villages and past significant landmarks like the 800-year-old Ightham Mote manor house and the 500-year-old royal palace of Knole (built for the Archbishop of Canterbury). I made a note to return, someday, to these National Trust properties.

Earlier in my route I was walking along quiet country road toward the tiny village of Basted when I came across a sign that said “Caution: Ducks crossing!” And a few meters later, another sign “Caution: Geese Crossing!” Sure enough, just beside the latter sign, there were two geese in the road. Just standing there. A car passed me, heading for the geese; it slowly drove around them. The geese held their ground. They seemed nonplussed. I approached, planning to walk slowly around them, just as the car had done. This, apparently, was not appreciated! Watch the video:

After completing half of the route, which was entirely on paved or gravel country lanes, I was feeling a bit disappointed that this route did not follow any forested trails. Although I enjoyed the pastoral scenery alongside the roads, I was looking forward to some more natural scenery. I was soon rewarded when the route joined the Greensand Way trail. I was quickly nostalgic for the roads, however, because all the recent rain has left the trails in a muddy mess!

I did learn something new today, as I passed several farm buildings the guidebook referred to as oast houses. An oast house “is a building designed for kilning (drying) hops as part of the brewing process” [Wikipedia]. They have tall, conical roofs with a tip that turns with the wind; the tall roof generated a strong draft to pull air through the building and dry the hops spread out inside. Today, most remaining oast houses have been remodeled into elegant homes.

I concluded my hike in a busy Sevenoaks pub with a hearty serving of bangers and mash alongside a pint of local ale. Check out the photo gallery for some more scenes along the Greensand Way between Borough Green and Sevenoaks.

Hike stats:
Distance: 11.0 miles (17.7km)
Gain: 854 feet (260m)  
Time: 4h58m (including lunch at the pub)
GaiaGPS track