Leeds Church – Fulling Mill Farm - Leeds Castle – Leeds Church

Starting off from Leeds Church, the route follows pasture and arable land for the first two miles. There are beautiful panoramic views of the North Downs throughout this stretch. The little-known Len Valley Walk (an LDWA walk) is touched on briefly. It runs between Maidstone and Lenham for twe;ve miles and follows the meandering course of the little River Len through glorious unspoilt countryside in the heart of the Garden of England. For a drink or a meal, you could try the George at Waymark 8; it's only a five-minute walk down the hill from the church car park. Originally built in 1652, The George started life as a coaching inn with hay stored above what is now the back bar. The pub is listed in The Good Pub Guide and as well as a great pint, delicious hearty and traditional meals are served in the dining-room, the bar or on the new oak-covered al fresco patio.

From Waymark 9 you will see Leeds Castle in the distance, with the backdrop of the North Downs. Listed in the Domesday Book as a Saxon manor, the castle has played many roles in the intervening centuries. It has been a Norman stronghold; the private property of six of England's medieval queens; a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; an elegant early 20th Century retreat for the influential and famous; and in the 21st Century, it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain. Sold in 1926 to pay death duties, it was acquired by a wealthy Anglo-American heiress, later to become the Hon Olive, Lady Baillie. It is currently managed by the Leeds Castle Foundation.

Later on you will walk through the castle grounds, keeping to the designated footpaths. The grounds are beautiful, with many waterfowl on the magnificent lake. In springtime, the daffodils are an uplifting sight.

England - South England - Kent - Countryside

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4/25/2016 - Barry Harlin

Walk number 6824. Point 2. After 'Go through onto lane' Add - See some cottages in front of you. Point 3. Remove 'Cross the lane and across to your right' Add- Pass in front of the cottages. Then continue with 'onto a drive. The drive continues .........etc. At the part 'Continue ahead on the path and ignore a path to the right -(remove signposted Len Valley Walk) add- 'with a post having white footpath signs on' Point 4. at the point 'Follow this path to a stile. Cross the stile, the path bears slightly right (add- 'and goes up an incline before' (remove and) continue- 'going down a gentile incline to a yellow marker ....... Point 13, On the last line change to read 'Leave the castle and follow the tarmac driveway to - 'where you entered it at at point 12'. Continue along the undulating driveway for some distance as it twists and turns. Pass through a gate and continue. Point 14. Reach a gate beside a cattle grid. (remove 'on the right and go through. Follow the mown path across undulating pastures to reach a gate beside a cricket pitch') Add -You will have passed a cricket green to your right in the distance. Point 15. After 'Pass through the gate and continue to reach a lane' Remove the rest of the paragraph and add - 'Turn right down the lane until you reach Battel Hall an early 14th Century stone house on your left next to a timbered building. Point 16. Remove 'Cross the lane' and add Opposite a gate on the right enter a grassy field on the left next to Battel Hall to return to Leeds Church

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Walk id: 6824

Walk grade

Gentle Stroll

Length

4.5 Miles

Height gain

128 Metres

Duration

2 Hours 2 Mins

Average rating

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