It was raining this morning, however with a forecast of sun later in the
day so a local walk was called for. I worked out a circuit starting in
Northchapel, and crossing first to Ebernoe then back across the A283 to
Lurgashall and on to Bexley Hill. From here going north to the slopes of Black
Down, before continuing back to Northchapel via Hillgrove.
We parked on the side of Pipers lane just down from the village Hall, then
walked up the lane to Hortons Farm. At the farm we turned off through the farm
yard
Into the woods, before turning off the track and into grazing fields.
Across the fields getting damp from the earlier rain, before going back into the
woods. Crossing out into the fields once more just below what I now know as an
Air navigational beacon. The path was a bit indistinct along side a ditch.
Along side more woods and across a cow pasture to the woods beside Ebernoe
house.
Through the woods to come out beside the Ebernoe common and cricket pitch. we
crossed to the road and followed it down to the next corner.
Turning down a track into grazing fields, following the hedge and into woods
beside Colhook Farm.
Across a small stream and up the next pasture field past electric board vehicles
maintaining the HT wires parallel to the path. Crossing over to a pair of
houses.
Going around the houses and down a green lane on the other side. Through a
fallow field to a small lane. The lane went through a field and came out beside
the A283.
Along the A283 then turning into a series of fields, looking over towards Black
Down
Some mature hedges around the fields opened out to a large grass field, across
this and over Hillgrove Lane.
Across the lane and through the field beyond. Coming out onto the back road
leading down into the village of Lurgashall.
A little back path to the church with a huge porch. There was a yew in the
churchyard with a plaque showing it was planted in 1821.
Leaving the church beside the Noah's Ark Inn and crossing the village green ,
before leaving via Mill lane - the reverse of part of a route done earlier
in the year.
Through some crop fields to cut across a bulge in the road.
Down the driveway to Mill Farm, passing the large Mill Pond and the remains of
ironworks.
Continuing on along the lane - now a dirt track - and into Dirty Bridge Field.
Turning right into harvested fields looking over to the radio relay mast on
Bexley Hill.
Approaching the Collyer's cottages, where we crossed grazing fields, onto a back
road then continuing down a track opposite them.
The track led into woods and climbed up towards the open access area of
Bexleyhill Common. Then we followed the Serpent's Way along the dirt track
leading to a highstead lane.
Where the SW continued on along the edge of Verdley Wood, we droped down a
scruffy unsigned path
Down past Overnoons house and onto the remains of a green lane working all the
way down to a stream.
We turned up the drive for Surney Farm, before crossing the fence into the woods
beside the stream. Following the track through the woods and over a hefty
bridge, where Bertie had a swim.
Into the fields below Upperfold House.
The path ended up leading to Hoewyck farm, then a short zigzag on a back road to
Upperfold farm. From here we took a green lane then cross grazing fields into
Gentles copse.
The track in the copse was followed until it came out in yet another field with
a few sheep ambling around.
Through a narrow wood or thick hedge and up beside the vines
The vines looked up towards the temple of the winds on the end of Black Down.
The big house lookign over the vineyard, then down the straight drive way -
tarmacked at the top end and stones at the bottom.
Just past the gateway we turned into the woods of the common crossing over to
Sybs farm. From there back out into grazing fields.
Alongside the hedge through several fields and down to a stream (dry). Then
following through several more fields following the same fence line.
The path came out in Hillgrove village, where we climbed up a narrow lane
(Hillgrove lane) that we had crossed on the outward leg. further south.
At the top of the rise on the road we turned off into more sheep fields, before angling across to head back up to Northchapel, with a number of zigzags around some fenced off areas.
Exiting ontot he back road to Hillgrove we followed it into Northchapel, taking a cut through to the main road (A283) which came out beside the pub.
Up the pavement beside the main road until we could turn down Piper's lane, going past the recreational ground - football pitch and play area to get back to the van parked on the side.
