abbey walks

Stage 29 - Fawkham Green to Rochester

 

Distance

 

19.6 km / 12.1 miles

Explorer map

  162 Greenwich & Gravesend

Time

 

4.5 - 5 hours average time based on Naismith’s rule

Total ascent   475m
Total descent   520m

Waypoint coordinates

 

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Overview

 

The route follows marked footpaths and the North Downs Way to Rochester. This is an undulating stage passing through the Kent downs. Past vineyards and the medieval village of Meopham Green where Benedictine monks established a priory hospital in the 12th century. Before Rochester skirt the village of Cuxton that first saw occupation around 200,000 years ago in the Acheulian era.

     

 

 

 

 

Walk Description :

 

stage 29 photo1 - Turn left at the Rising Sun Pub to head out of the village and shortly turn right up Michaels Lane and then the footpath left through the wood to arrive at a road (Manor Lane). Cross over and head into the grounds of the golf club passing the club house on the left. Pass the lake and as the track goes left, carry on ahead bearing left towards and past the the pylon. Cross the field to skirt round the wood on the right and then left at the track to reach Ash Road. Turn left and before the public house turn right by the side of a house to reach Church road. Turn right and at the junction of Grange Lane cross into the woods, past the pumping station to Hartley Hill road. Turn left and left at the junction, Hartley Bottom Road and then footpath right past Idleigh Farm to the road. At Idleigh Court Road turn right and then footpath left towards and to skirt the right of the small copse. Cross the track and the next footpath to Meopham Village Green.

 

2 - Cross over the green by the monument to the footpath opposite, down, bearing right and up the valley to arrive at Whitehill road. Turn right and left up Horns Oak Road. Take the next left onto Priestwood Road and then right Chandlers Hill keeping right to the road. At the road turn left then cross Dean Lane to the path, across the lane to reach a second lane. Turn right and continue along the road down Lockyers Hill, direction Great Buckland.

 

stage 29 photo3 - After passing a house on the left take the footpath right to pass a white house on the right side. Cross over Wrangling Lane and up the hill, cross over the forest track and across the field. The path is now the North Downs Way passing through Wingate Wood, North Wood to Upper Bush. At Warren Road turn right and then left up into the woods to bear left over the railway bridge continuing on the North Downs Way. This eventually reaches the A228, turn left to Rochester.

 

 

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Email info@abbeywalks.co.uk

 

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Walking can be a dangerous sport.  Walkers should always be suitably equipped, including carrying and knowing how to use a map and compass.