Hucking Estate via the North Downs Way Circular

Lesley Hitch

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Circular Walk from Hucking Estate, via the North Downs Way

In 1997 The Woodland Trust bought 573 acres of woodland and farmland on the Hucking Estate, with the express aim of reversing the damage caused by modern farming methods, including the use of fertilisers and pesticides and damage to ancient woodland and chalk grassland habitat caused by alterations in grazing patterns. The whole area contains numerous sites of archaeological interest including an ancient drove road, chalkpits, marl-pits and potential iron-ore workings. The ancient woods at Hucking will form the core of a restored landscape. So far, more than 180,000 native trees have been planted, along with hedges, with 135 acres of grassland focusing on native grasses and flowers. It's truly a beautiful area in which to walk. Between Waymarks 6 and 7, as you follow the North Downs Way high on the top of the downs, there are wonderful views southward across the Kent countryside.

If you'd like a pub stop, either before or after your walk, the Hook and Hatchet Inn can be reached by continuing through the village (about three-quarters of a mile from the car park). They serve good pub food and local ales.

Please note, the walk has not been independently checked, so any walker feedback would be very welcome.

England - South England - Kent - Woodland or Forest

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Mostly Flat, Nature Trail, Pub, Woodland

02/04/2013 - Vicky England

Good walk, great views but be aware that at point 8 the instructions to look for a stile 20 yards after crossing a track are not correct. To get to the track you pass a wind turbine on the right and an enclosed pig area. At the track the field is completely open with no stile or fence. Carry on in the same direction to an obvious stile in the distance at the other end of the field.

02/04/2013 - Vicky England

Just done this walk (Easter Monday 2013) A very nice walk with great views but at point 8 it gets a little confusing. The instructions regarding a stile 20 yards after crossing a track are either wrong or outdated. The field you are in when you cross the track is completely open, there is not only no stile but no hedge or fence of any description. You should have passed a wind turbine on the right and a fenced area with pigs in it. You should keep on in the same direction to an obvious stile in the distance at the other end of the field.

02/04/2013 - Vicky England

14/11/2012 - Lesley Hitch

The car park at the start of this walk has been closed for a couple of weeks. The Woodland Trust say that they have been upgrading parking access and signage. The car park was reopened on 13 November.

25/10/2012 - John White

John Gravesend: Instruction to the car park was spot on. No trouble there. Unfortunately it was quite wet and foggy by the time we got to the car park, which was closed. We abandoned the walk and will try again another day.

09/05/2012 - Walkingworld Admin

Our thanks to Lesley Hitch for her updates for this walk. May 2012. Adrian (Admin)

31/08/2010 - Sharon Kemp

Just reurned from this walk. Truly lovely views, and excellent detailed instructions. Only one minor hitch, the first stile at waymark 9 has partially collapsed and is a bit difficult, can be done with care. Also, you don't pass by the pigs currently, but through them! They are friendly, as were all the horses, cows and goats whose space we shared! We'll be doing this one again, most definitely.

27/07/2010 - Jacki Stevenage

We did this walk on a couple of weeks ago. It was a lovely walk and we had no problems. We will certainly be doing this walk again.