One Tree Hill and Underriver

Distance:  4.5 Miles (2 Hours)

OS Map:   Explorer 147 (Start at TQ559532)

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Park at the free car park at One Tree Hill, on the road south from Godden Green.

Leave the car park by the top corner, just to the left of an information board.  At junction turn right downhill to road.  Cross over and turn left, very carefully.  Very soon there is an imposing entrance to Shepherds Mead.  Take the path to the right of the entrance, between fences, and continue along the top of a large field.  At a junction of paths at the corner of the field, turn sharp left down a sunken track between hedges – this can be muddy after rain.

At the bottom, turn right past a converted oast house.  Follow a metalled drive until you reach the newly redeveloped Coach House on the right.  Do not follow the drive as it bears right uphill but instead take the broad track on the left and follow this past a pond from which there are fine views of St Julian’s, an early nineteenth century mansion now used as a country club.  Half a mile or so later, the track passes through a narrow band of woodland.  Immediately after the woodland on left ends, take path through gate on the left along the edge of a field to the corner.  Bear left and go over a stile beside a gate.

Bear right across a field to a stile in the hedge to the right of the farm.  Climb the stile, cross a lane and climb another stile into a field.  Bear left across the field, passing a large pond on the left, go over a stile by a gate and cross a short field to a second stile.

Continue straight ahead uphill to the highest point of the field where a gate leads to an enclosed track.  This track soon turns sharp right and emerges on the road in the attractive village of Underriver opposite the church (built 1865 by John Davison MP who then lived at Underriver House).  Turn left past the “The White Rock” inn and immediately after The Forge take a footpath on the right.

This path initially follows a hedge on the right.  When the hedge ends, continue forward to a stile.  Cross this stile and bear slightly right across the next field to another stile.  Cross this stile, another field, and another stile.  Cross the next field towards another stile, but before you reach the stile bear left and follow the fence to another stile.

Once over this stile there are two magnificent trees ahead – an oak on the left and an ash on the right.  Aim somewhat to the right of the ash and soon you will see a stile in the hedge.  Climb the stile into the road and turn left.

When the road bends left, the entrance to Absalom’s Farm is straight ahead.  Take a lane on the right immediately before the farm entrance.  Continue up the lane until, just past the entrance to White House, there is woodland on the left.  Soon after the start of the woodland take a clearly signposted footpath on the left.  Can you spot the tiger lurking in the woods below you.  Continue until you reach the entrance to White Rocks Farm Boarding Kennels.  Follow the access drive to the kennels, avoiding all left turns, until you reach the road opposite where you left it at the start of the walk.

Taking great care on the short section of road, turn right and then right into the wood to retrace your steps back to the car park.

Points of Interest

One Tree Hill

According to the information board, this site was just a couple of fields separated by a few trees prior to 1911, which may explain its name.  It was severely affected by the 1987 storm but has recovered rapidly.  There are plenty of trees now.

Underriver

The name is derived from “sub le ryver” meaning “under the hill”.  The village was called “The Golden Valley” by Samuel Palmer, the painter who lived for a time at Shoreham.  The village has its own web site: www.underriver-village.org.uk.

Romshed Farm

Like the village of Underriver, the original Romschedde was probably settled because it lies where the bottom of the greensand beds meet the Wealden clay resulting in a series of springs that ensure a reliable water supply.  Romshed Farm is an organic farm seeking to conserve the traditional landscape of small fields, hedgerows and belts of ancient woodland.

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

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.