Kent Ramblers: Walk 182

Camer Park & Luddesdown

Distance: 6.2 miles

OS Map: Explorer 163 (Start at grid reference TQ64669)

Click map to enlarge and click again to enlarge further

Start from free car park in Camer Country Park.

Head directly away from entrance of car park along clear track, keeping left to remain parallel to park boundary on left.  Emerging through gate and past East Lodge at bend in road, turn right onto track (Wealdway), keeping right with woodland on right and open fields on left.  Follow track round left hand bend then gently right past a couple of houses.  After section of woodland on right, keep forward at cross paths and follow left hand edge of open field under power lines then through short section of woodland into vineyard.  Head down right hand side of vineyard to gate and steps into field.  Turn left along top of field, soon becoming a vineyard, and 190 metres from corner (70 metres from start of vines) at bench on left turn right down path through vineyard.  Beyond bottom, head uphill keeping to right of line of trees ahead.  Go through gate and woodland to emerge through hedge onto Oakenden Lane.

Go straight across up steps, cross field to protruding corner of hedge and turn left with hedge on right.  Continue to corner, down steps and emerge at junction of lanes at Luddesdown.  Turn right along private drive past church on right and old barn on left.  After right hand bend in drive go through gate on left into very small field downhill linking to larger field.

Head to top corner of field past metal gate on left, bear right then go through second metal gate (adjacent to field gate) into vineyard.  (At certain times you may be asked to bypass the field by going on the other side of the hedge along the right hand edge of the vineyard, which is actually where the recorded public right of way goes.)  Bear right, initially uphill, along top of vineyard for 530 metres then pass through metal gate into meadow.  Bear slighty left to gate and in next field follow gently descending path parallel to vineyard on left.  At next gate enter another vineyard now with vines on both sides; continue to gate 40 metres to left of corner and go up steps into Buckland Road.

Turn right to road junction then right down Lockyers Hill.  Immediately after Great Buckland Farm take path up steps on right, go over stile and across field.  Bear diagonally right across corner of field, over stile then turn left up grassy strip between fields.  On reaching corner of woodland maintain direction up left hand edge of next field and at corner enter wood.  Emerging from top of wood into field, bear left across field to stile and maintain direction across next field to lane at corner.

Turn right and at first corner go ahead keeping to right of black and white timber-framed Coomb Hill Farmhouse.  Follow track bearing slowly right.  On reaching second gate on right go forward remaining inside woodland but with large open field over fence on right.  At bottom of wood go over stile and straight down field keeping to right of tennis court.  Go over stile, across drive, up grassy bank and take path initially alongside fence into wood.  At top emerge onto lane (Dean Road).

Bear right and take byway leaving lane at angle on left climbing with wood on left and field on right.  Follow round to left at top and go through kissing gate on right into field.  There are two paths across field – take left one heading over brow of field and disappearing from sight towards hedge at bottom.  Through kissing gate in hedge head up field towards gate in middle of top edge to right of large barn.  Go through kissing gate onto Oakenden Road.

Go through kissing gate opposite and follow path alongside fence on right.  Cross next field to top right corner and go through kissing gate into wood.  Keep right at first junction and go straight across on meeting broader track.  On far side of wood, follow left hand edge of field past equestrian jumps to corner.  Turn left along track now retracing steps from start of walk.  Follow track, pass buildings on left, pass junction of paths across open fields, bear left and when track turns sharp right go forward through kissing gate hidden in bushes back into Camer Country Park.  Keep going straight forward through trees then across grassland back to car park.

Thanks to Jack Yan for the photograph used for this page's banner.

Points of Interest

Camer Country Park

The park covers 46 acres of parkland and woodland and there is a small café. It is noted for its wildlife, particularly slow worms and common lizards. The park is very popular with dog owners, which some visitors find off-putting.  The mature parkland was once the grounds of Camer House, formerly the home of the Smith-Masters family built in the 17th and 18th centuries and now Grade II listed. The estate was sold to Strood Council in 1967 and later transferred to Kent County Council but the house was retained in private ownership and is now divided into several dwellings.

Luddesdown Church

Much of the church was 14th century or earlier until the nave roof collapsed in 1865.  The church was rebuilt and decorated with wall paintings which remain its outstanding feature.  Unfortunately it is difficult to find a time when the church is open other than for services and specific events.

The Wealdway

From the lodge at the edge of Camer Park all the way to Great Buckland Farm, this walk follows the Wealdway, an 82 mile walk from Gravesend to Eastbourne across some of our finest countryside.

Public Transport

The most northerly point of the walk is just 300 metres from Sole Street station.  Alternatively you can walk from Hook Green which is served by the 308 bus from Borough Green (not Sundays).

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.

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

Guide to the Wealdway

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