Charing walk

This is a walk of around 10 miles, that starts from Pett Lane Car Park in Charing, and takes us along the North Downs Way as well as visiting Westwell. There is approximately 900 foot of ascent, so involves a few climbs, but should not be too troublesome for the regular walker. There could be mud in places, and there is one stretch that could involve some "Dibley" puddles, it just depends on the weather that precedes the walk.

We set off at our usual healthy pace, to soon make our way to a byway which ascends adjacent to the Kent Gliding Club airfield at Squids Gate. Shortly after airfield entrance, is where the big puddles could be, but hopefully snorkel and flippers won't be required.

We join the North Downs Way at Dunn Street, which we follow as far as the ruins of St Mary's church, which is situated on the western edge of Eastwell Lake. After this, there is a section of tarmac plodding,  the upside is, that at least there won't be any mud to trouble us on this stretch of the walk. Next up, we join a path at Shottenden Manor, that we follow to Dignash, before reaching the village of Westwell, stopping for drinks at the now re-opened Wheel Public House. After our break, there is a short steady climb back to the North Downs Way, that we then join for much of the return to our starting point.

As well as the pub drinks stop, there will the usual picnic lunch stop, at a suitable point along the way.

Walk leader is Kevin Hall