March: East Malling
Distance:
5.3 miles (2h 30m)
OS Map:
Explorer 148 (Start at TQ702570)
Click map to enlarge and click
again to enlarge further
Take footpath to right of church and soon reach
junction. Take path on right heading south.
Cross railway line and continue to The Rocks Road.
Turn right for 50 metres then take path on left
initially along drive past oast houses with truncated
roofs. Continue through gateway out into open
field, initially with hedge on right but later with
hedge on left. At top emerge through gate into
Sweets Lane.
Turn left for 300 metres then immediately past
entrance to driveway take bridleway on right between
fences, soon taking sharp turn to left. Continue
to asphalt track.
Turn right along track and after 300 metres follow it
round to left. Continue with woodland on both
sides along well-made track until in front of water
tower converted to dwellings. Turn sharp left
along track.
Follow track, soon with large quarry on right which
can be glimpsed through trees in winter and heard at any
time of year. Soon after passing gated asphalt
driveway on right, take path on right with horse paddock
on left and woodland strip on right. Keep going –
down, up and then down again – and on reaching railway
turn right.
At footbridge on left, cross then turn right along
path with fence on left. After 1000 metres pass
houses on right and emerge on Kiln Barn Road.
Cross and take path through East Malling Research
Station grounds. Immediately after first building
on left you could visit Orchards Café for refreshment
(closes 3pm). Otherwise continue forward following
signs, soon along access driveway. When driveway
bears right and sign forbids further pedestrian use, go
forward along path between orchards, soon returning to
church.
In addition to the walking routes on our web site we
have published four popular walking guides:
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Points of Interest
East Malling Research Station
The parish is famous for its
East Malling Research Station, founded in 1913 and now
part of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany.
The Station has a worldwide reputation for its research
into fruit growing. The orchards can be viewed
from a public footpath starting at the church.
Public Transport
Nearby roads including St Paul's
Cray Road, St Paul's Wood Hill and Perry Street are well
served by numerous buses from Orpington and Chislehurst.
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.
Map contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright
and database rights 2024. Some paths on map are based
on data provided by Kent County Council but do not
constitute legal evidence of the line of a right of way.
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