Walking around Kemsing - west kent

Literally check out the Chequers Inn at Heaverham, enjoy a drop of ale or a coffee remember that lunch is served between 12:30 and 2:30 and take a walk around the area from the pub to Kemsing.  We took the dog but if you do be aware that there is a sheep stud farm on the route so please keep your dogs on leads especially this time of the year (Spring) when lambs are bopping around full of the joys of the said season.  We walked the dog steadily and slowly giving sheep and lambs time to amble away and that seemed to work.

The route for the first walk was along the Heversham road from the pub toward Kemsing ignoring the first public footpath and taking the next one that leads down through the fields to the motorway.  The noise from the road can be a bit obtrusive but the walk is worth it.  The pleasant valley with tall trees on the edge of the fields and the little clumps of shade trees for the sheep make this route a delightful walk.  Getting the dog over the stiles was fun - I chucked  him over one - and as we progressed so he got less interested in the sheep and lambs and more manageable.  Follow the fence line and yuo will see the stiles and eventually reach the road again returning to the pub. 

Instructions: have lunch and a beer - Earlybird this time of the year.

Next we set off after a light and excellent lunch back toward Kemsing past the junction and took the diagonal path across the filed up to the Pilgrims Way.  We turned right along that and took the path up to the North Downs Way - go straight up keeping left and work around the shrubs to the trees where you will find a post with white markers on it up a slight rise to the right.  Follow the edge of the woods and you will meet the North Downs Way. As you climb the open hill watch out for the view of St Clere's which you will see in the woods below. 

Follow the Way along the top of the ridge.  It passes through woodland and out onto horse pasture and to a farm to cross the Cotman Ash road.  Turn left and a few hundred metres down that road the Way continues on the right.  Be aware that this is Private Property on the right and will have wire electric fences. We reached the end of the woods and turned down past the old Otford Manor and there we left the Way and took the track down the hill to Kemsing - Heaverham road crossing the Pilgrims Way.  And so back to the pub. 

A word or two about the pub.  It will get busy in the summer. It has a large beer garden and a smallish car-park.  It is set in a pleasant spot and the staff and locals are friendly.  Above all it is a dog friendly pub but be ware that the dining area is out of bounds for canines.  Food is good and there is a local charity that supplies small dog biscuits for a donation.  Good stuff.

And a word about the views.  Almost from anywhere the scenery is magnificent and from the hills it is wonderful with views across the valley to the Otford road and beyond and the edge of Sevenoaks.  Ignore the M26 and enjoy the rest - it is worth it.