Hosey Common - Toys Hill - Westerham - Hosey Common

Nina Earl

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Hosey Common - French Street - Toys Hill - Westerham - Hosey Common

The walk starts just south of Westerham through the wooded Hosey Common, then follows the secluded hamlet of French Street, offering a host of treasures including an oast house and fine views. In 1927, the Westerham Gold was found by workers digging for gravel. This consisted of 14 Iron Age gold staters which were hidden by the Celts. The Greensand Way is followed from here to the National Trust-owned Toys Hill; at just over 800 feet it is Kent's second highest point. On a clear day, the Ashdown Forest and South Downs are visible.

From here we start to head west, towards the National Trust-owned Chartwell, home of Sir Winston Churchill for more than forty years. Although the grounds of the estate are not entered, it is still possible to see some interesting outlying buildings and more views. Another stretch of National Trust countryside is next at Mariners Hill, before climbing up Crockham Hill. This is the woodland section of the walk and continues all the way to Squerrys Park. Here the countryside opens out again to fine views of The High Chart to the west and The Chart to the east. Further on, views of the North Downs and Westerham can be seen.

The historic town of Westerham is reached towards the end of the walk. Here you will find plenty to see, plenty to do and plenty to eat!

There is much varied woodland on this walk. The effects of the hurricane of 1987 can still be seen and the dangers of unchecked rhododendron growth are made clear.

Thank you to Ian Runcie for all his help updating this walk, February 2008.

England - South England - Kent - Greensand Hills

Features

Birds, Cafe, Church, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Stately Home, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

9/13/2015 - Susan Pyne

Very good walk with plenty of variety. One small navigational point. If you are relying on GPS, waypoint 12 seems to have the wrong GPS co-ordinates so don't try to go to it. It's easy enough to go straight from WP11 to WP13 along the Greensand Way.

8/28/2015 - Rupert Brun

Great walk on a cool day in August, not too muddy despite the recent very heavy rain. Instructions are nice and clear. At Waypoint 15 there were a large number of cattle drinking from the stream and they blocked our way when we tried to go through the gate, so discretion being the better part of valour we continued straight on to Westerham. We saw lots of people with dogs and there were many ripe blackberries to be found along the way.

12/10/2012 - Judy Brua

Very nice walk, the climbs up the various hills give a good workout! Much of the walk is very muddy after the wet summer and autumn that we've had. My GPS tracked it at 6.8 miles. There is quite a distance between waymarks 12 and 13 - we kept wondering if junctions we got to were the T junction mentioned at waymark 13 but they weren't. You have to follow the largely obvious path ignoring side exits until you get to the definitive T junction with a larger path.

10/25/2011 - Jack Hay

Agree with Sid, although we did around 8 miles even by-passing Westerham town centre. A lovely walk with some fantastic views, although disappointed with top of Toys Hill. Re item 11 where it says "keep ahead until this track meets a concreted lane. You should see a bench on the right." Bear in mind that the smaller track is also concreted so go on until you reach larger road (with bench on right).

8/29/2011 - Sid Marks

A superb walk with stunning views. Around 7 miles in total. A few updates to look out for are : At waymark 5 there was no sign of the water main. At waymark 13, you come across the 1st stile just past a remote house on the left leading into a field. There are 2 stiles to cross followed by 4 new kissing gates to reach the footbridge mentioned at waymark 15.

1/30/2004 - marilyn sarai

A very pretty walk. Will do it again no doubt! Regards Maz