Rolling Hills & Weald Views: Emmetts Garden 🌺 & Chartwell | 28 km (17 mi)

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾🥾 Level 4.5/5 (Moderate–Challenging)
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🧠 How it will feel
Regular hikers: Moderately challenging
Casual walkers: Challenging
Newcomers to long-distance hiking: A very tough day because of the length, hills and sustained effort.
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Join us for a memorable 28 km circular adventure through the beautiful Kent Downs National Landscape. Starting in Sevenoaks, we’ll explore ancient woodland, rolling hills, hidden valleys, open farmland and spectacular viewpoints along the Greensand Ridge.

The route takes us through French Street, Toys Hill, Ide Hill and Yorks Hill, with a visit to the historic surroundings of Chartwell, the former home of Winston Churchill. Expect peaceful woodland paths, quiet country lanes, classic Kent countryside and sweeping views across the Weald. There will be plenty of beautiful spots to pause, take photographs and enjoy the scenery.

Around lunchtime, we’ll stop at Emmetts Garden, where you’ll have the option to explore the gardens. Although there is no entrance barrier, visitors are expected to show a National Trust membership card or pay the admission fee.

After lunch, we’ll continue across wooded ridges and open countryside, gradually making our way back towards Sevenoaks. Depending on the time available, we may stop at the Chartwell Visitor Centre for a rest, water refill or ice cream. There may also be time for a brief pub stop in Ide Hill before we tackle the final section.

To finish the day, we’ll have the option of stopping at a pub in Sevenoaks for a well-earned drink and a chance to chat with fellow walkers and celebrate completing the route. The stop is entirely optional, and everyone is welcome to make their own onward travel arrangements.
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HIGHLIGHTS
🥾 28 km circular route from Sevenoaks
🌳 Kent Downs National Landscape and Greensand Ridge
🌲 Ancient woodland, rolling hills and hidden valleys
🌄 Panoramic views across the Weald
🗺️ French Street, Toys Hill, Ide Hill and Yorks Hill
🏛️ Possible ice cream and water stop at Chartwell Visitor Centre
🌺 Optional visit to Emmetts Garden
🍻 Optional pub stop in Ide Hill
🍻 Optional post-hike drink in Sevenoaks
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OVERVIEW
📏 Distance: 28 km (≈17.5 miles)
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging
📈📉 Elevation: 583 m ascent / descent
🚶 Pace: 4.5 to 5.5 km/h (steady throughout; not a race, but not a leisurely stroll)
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TERRAIN
This circular route follows a varied mix of countryside trails, woodland paths, sections of the Greensand Way, tracks alongside crop fields, and quiet country lanes. The walk includes several climbs and undulating terrain typical of the Greensand Ridge. Some paths may be narrow, uneven, or seasonally overgrown with nettles and brambles. Suitable walking footwear is essential, particularly after wet weather when sections can become muddy.

During periods of hot summer weather, some exposed sections can feel particularly demanding and energy-sapping, so walkers should carry sufficient water and be prepared for the conditions. The route features a number of hills, ranging from short, steep ascents to longer sustained climbs that can continue for close to a kilometre. While none of the climbs are technically difficult, the cumulative elevation gain can make the route feel more challenging than the distance alone might suggest.
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MEETING POINT AND TIMINGS
📍 09:10 – Meet at the Sevenoaks railway station ticket office [What3Words], next to Costa Coffee.
▶️ Hike starts once check-in is complete.
🏁 17:30–18:00 – Expected finish at Sevenoaks railway station.
⏱️ Estimated moving time: 7 hours.
🕒 Estimated total duration: 8 hours, including breaks and regrouping stops.

Times are approximate and may vary depending on pace, breaks, and conditions.
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TRAINS
Buy a return ticket to Sevenoaks, costing approximately £11.10 with a Network Railcard. Catch the 08:43 train from London Bridge, or the 08:34 service from Charing Cross, arriving at Sevenoaks at 09:06.

📍 OPTIONAL LONDON GROUP TRAVEL
08:15 Meet at London Bridge station ticket office
08:30 Walk to platform
08:43 Depart London Bridge
09:06 Arrive at Sevenoaks
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🚗 BY CAR
Parking is available at Sevenoaks railway station (What3Words) - Car Park A Sevenoaks Station
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FOOD AND FACILITIES
🍔 Lunch: Bring a packed lunch
🚻 Facilities: Café, toilets and refreshments are available at Emmetts Garden (9 km). Chartwell Centre (14 km) has toilets and a café, while Ide Hill (18 km) has toilets at the pub.
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🎒 WHAT TO BRING
Packed lunch and snacks
At least 2 litres of water (more during hot weather)
Proper hiking boots or shoes with good grip
Weather-appropriate layers and waterproofs
Sun protection
Fully charged phone
Personal medication and basic first aid
Optional trekking poles
A smile, good vibes, and a sense of adventure
More snacks than you think you need
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✅ WHO CAN JOIN
Adults aged 21 and over
No children
No pets
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📅 RSVP & ATTENDANCE
Please only sign up if you genuinely plan to attend. Please cancel as early as possible if you can no longer make it so others can join. A no-show means you RSVPed but did not attend, or cancelled shortly before or after the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal from the group.
The organiser will prioritise people on the waitlist who have a reliable attendance history. If you are waitlisted, you may message the event host to confirm your attendance.
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👣 GROUP PACE & PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
This is a social group hike, and we ask everyone to stay with the group rather than rushing ahead or falling behind. Please keep the group in sight and remain within a reasonable distance, as a back marker may not always be present. Faster walkers should wait at junctions, and organisers may stop at suitable points for regrouping. If you choose to leave the group structure or continue at a significantly different pace, you will be considered to be hiking independently and responsible for your own route and safety. By attending, you agree to follow these guidelines.
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EXIT POINTS
Emmetts Garden, approximately 9 km from the start
Chartwell Visitor Centre, approximately 13 km from the start
Ide Hill, approximately 18 km from the start
Each exit point will require you to call a taxi or walk to the nearest bus stop and check the bus timetable.
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📞 CONTACT: For questions, please message the event host via Meetup. On the day of the walk, you may contact AdrianB via WhatsApp on +44 (0) 7438 812 663.
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER: By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.