Sue was at the craft exhibition at Hever, so I planned a walk just north of it, starting at a village called Ide Hill, and following the Greensand way to the west, through Toy's Hill to French street and along to Chartwell. Still on the Greensand way, and around Crockhamhill Common, then up the alternative route to Westerham. Next returning via Hosey Common and the Chart passing Emmetts garden.
I parked the car in the layby behind the village community shop, and set out to find the track. The map showed this going down the road, however I spotted a track going into the woods of Ide Hill. I followed this parallel to the road before curving around to go west.
At the west end of Ide Hill the path climbed up beside a field to join a bigger track looking across a valley to Scords Wood.
Across the grass fields and through a small band of trees, before continuing to Scords Wood.
A good view south to the South Downs before continuing into the trees. Staying on the larger track through the wood to the west side.
Over a back road to the Toy's Hill car park, and back into the trees.
The track angled down through the woods to a bridleway that climbed along the west end of the wood.
The track mutated into a path, then joined a straight driveway,
The driveway continued up to Frenchstreet and the farm of the same name. A sharp turn down the east side of Hosey common.
It was dark in the trees here as it dropped down and over a back road, and along a fence line.
Into an opening looking down into the Chartwell car park. Then over a back road and climbing up steps on the far side.
Dropping down to Hosey Common Road (steeply) then along a path into Crockhamhill Common.
Along the meandering paths through the common, then a driveway, before turning around Kent hatch
Taking the alternative Greensand way now going North, and into Goodley Stock. To the right was an iron age fort, but covered in trees.
I had wandered away from the marked route on the map, and continued along a path that ended in a field. At the end of the field I turned up a track that led back to the original trace.
Back on the Greensand way (alt) heading down to Westerham between crop fields.
At the edge of the town I turned east climbing up a grass field, and then across a second grass field. Eventually coming out onto Hosey Common road.
Down a back road until a path into Hosey Common, past several barred off tunnels.
Then along paths meandering through the trees in the general direction I needed to go.
Touching Frenchstreet again , and dropping down a steep slope into a green tunnel, with steps down to a stream.
U[p the grass field on the other side to climb to the edge of Toy's Hill (again)
Into the National trust woodland curving around the northern edge.
An unmarked track kept me in the woods and saved a short section along a back road. Then into another National trust woodland. the main road ended at a fence and gate, but I escaped along a secondary track that came back to the edge of The Chart.
Into the Chart and along a bridleway that led down to the gardens of Emmetts (a national trust property).
Down the driveway dropping down to a back road. This road led back to Ide Hill.
Around the village and back to the layby beside the shop.
My phone rang as I arrived back at the car - great timing - it was time to pick up Sue.
