Westerham and Chartwell

The walk starts from the village green in the centre of Westerham where the impressive statues of Winston Churchill and General James Wolfe can be seen. Churchill the statesman gazes in the direction of his beloved home, Chartwell, whilst Wolfe, the victor at Quebec, defends the green from advancing traffic with sword raised (with his home, Quebec House, close by).

A narrow lane opposite the green leaves the bustle of the High Street for more tranquil surroundings. After crossing the tiny River Darent there is a fine view back to Westerham, and across the intervening valley is the steep scarp of the North Downs.

After walking through the first stretch of woodland, the path emerges on a lane on Horn's Hill leading down into the valley where Chartwell is situated. This was Churchill's home from 1924 until the end of his life, where the gifted statesman painted and built his famous brick wall. On the other side of the valley, above the trees, is the open ground of Crockhamhill Common on top of Mariners Hill, offering distant views ideal for picnics.

The route then enters the Squerryes estate where woodland supports abundant birdlife and wild flowers. Passing April Cottage, the path follows an old beech-topped embankment into a delightful valley (once the deer park of the manor of Squerryes, featuring prehistoric fort earthworks nearby) before following a track past fishing ponds and the remains of an old watermill back to Westerham.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.