Kent Ramblers: Walk 52

Sevenoaks Weald and Elses Farm

Distance:   4.0 Miles (1h 50m)

OS Map:   Explorer 147 (Start at grid reference TQ527508)

Click map to enlarge and click again to enlarge further

Park in Sevenoaks Weald.  There is usually room to park on the road alongside the village green near the school.  The village is easily approached from the A21 – drive straight through the village to reach the village green on the other side.

From the school head uphill along Long Barn Road.  Beyond highest point descend gently and at sharp right hand bend bear left onto footpath across field passing two large oak trees.  At far side, bear right, cross a footbridge and continue along field edge to Hale Oak Road.

Turn left and after 100 metres take footpath on left (SR282) through chain gate by oak tree.  Go straight across field, cross a footbridge and climb some steps.  Go uphill across next field and through two gates at top.  Follow left hand edge of next two fields to reach the lane.

Turn left then right into Eggpie Lane.  After 40 metres take footpath through gate on left and go straight down long field, passing stile half way along and eventually bearing slightly left to far corner.  Go through gate and turn right along curving edge of field, ignoring path going off on right, to gateway in corner.  Follow right hand edges of next field and go straight across field after that.  Follow grassy track with fence on left and woodland on right.  Join stony track and follow down to road.

Turn left past Giacomo’s Italian restaurant on right.  When road bends left opposite Elses Farm, take footpath long track on right.  Continue past cricket/football field at a stile bear left.  At fork in path bear right uphill and continue, passing to left of burial ground, to Glebe Road.

Turn right and take path on left just before church.  On reaching Church Road, turn right and take path on left at junction just past bus shelter.

Follow left hand edge of field downhill to footbridge over stream at bottom.  Cross and bear right uphill making for the oast house at the top.  In top corner of field next to oast house, go over stile and turn right along drive.  Past oast house turn right then almost immediately left between farm buildings and through gate.  Bear slightly right downhill across field to gate, cross stream and cross next field to gate. Bear right across next field to gate in corner.  Bear right uphill between farm buildings, go over through gate and bear left across a couple more fields into lane by Wickhurst Manor.

Turn left and follow Wickhurst Road (really just a farm track) back to Sevenoaks Weald.  Turn right along road to return to school.

Points of Interest

Long Barn

– the home of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicholson before their move to Sissinghurst (see Walk 85).

Elses Farm

From 1904 to 1906 the home of the poet Edward Thomas (1878-1917).  The farm featured in his book The Heart of England.  Thomas was killed in action at the Battle of Arras.

Public Transport

There are buses to Sevenoaks Weald from Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.  They are not frequent so check www.traveline.info for more details.

In addition to the walking routes on our web site we have published three popular walking guides:

Guide to Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk and other walks in the area

Guide to the Kent Coast Path: Part 1, Camber to Ramsgate

Guide to Three River Valley Walks in West Kent: Darent Valley Path, Eden Valley Walk and Medway Valley Walk

Please report any problems with this walk to info@kentramblers.org.uk.

Ramblers' volunteers in Kent work tirelessly to ensure that our paths are as well protected and maintained as possible.  Of course we also organise led walks but most of our members are independent walkers who simply want to support our footpath work.  Please join us and become a supporter too.  You need us and we really need you.