Circular Walk from Westwell on the North Downs

Lesley Hitch

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Awaiting revision Summer 2021

Westwell is located four miles (six km) north of Ashford in Kent, South East England. It is a rural village in the North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the foot of the Westwell Downs, the highest part of which is called The Beacon, after the chain of beacons erected to signal the approach of the Spanish Armada. The Pilgrims' Way runs close to the village on the downs and was travelled by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. Now the M20 motorway and the Eurostar rail track pass through the parish. The village has a pub, a village hall and a church, but no shop. The centre of the village is a conservation area, with many mature trees and listed buildings. There is a tiny village green, bordered by quaint cottages. The church and the Wheel Inn are close by. The inn has a large beer-garden and serves excellent food and local Shepherd Neame beer.

The walk starts from the crossroads in the centre of the village. There is roadside parking and parking at the local pub (see Walk Access Information below). The walk partly follows the North Downs Way and Pilgrims' Way, with a mixture of arable land, pasture and woodland. The ascents are gentle and afford lovely views of the Kent countryside. This is a good winter walk, as the views through the trees are lovely.

England - South England - Kent - North Downs

Features

Church, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Pub, Toilets, Woodland

6/13/2021 - Ken Howard

11/06/2021 Although rated 'easy'the walk started with two pretty steep hill climbs. At No 5 the field was fully planted with runner beans and only one path to the copse and pond where there was no post or marker. When we eventually found the gap (No 6) between wooded areas the was only one gate and a path through thick undergowth with no access to the pastureland mentioned.On entering the wood the path was totally overgrown with high nettles and blocked by several fallen treetrunks. We emerged, lacerated, to complete the lovely last part of the walk.

7/18/2018 - Suzanne Seyghal

Nice peaceful walk with lovely views and there's an easy option to cut across from #5 to #10 if you're a little short on time.

5/25/2014 - Peter Singleton

This was a great walk, with amazing views. We were lucky to have a field of very friendly cows to greet us. Try and choose this walk at weekends, when the gliding club is more active. I didn't follow the instructions, just the map, but it was easy

6/15/2011 - Walkingworld Administrator

Our thanks to Sharon Kemp for her updates for this walk. June 2011. Adrian (Admin)

6/14/2011 - Sharon Kemp

Just completed this walk. Great views across some of Kent's most beautiful countryside. It is worth noting that KCC are attempting to make the byway between WPs 10 & 12 a restricted byway. The woodland path at point 6 has several fallen trees, negotiable with care, however this path was damp and slippery despite the dry spring. A very minor issue on an otherwise lovely walk, with accurate directions, and the possibility of seeing gliders if the conditions are right; we'll definitley be doing this one again.