👻 Pluckley’s Orchards & Bunny Trails | Free Hike 20 km (12 miles)

Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3/5 (Moderate)
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🧠 How it will feel
Regular hikers: A comfortable “bunny hike” 🐰, not demanding.
Casual walkers: Moderate, mainly because of the distance.
Newcomers: Manageable but challenging because of the distance.

Overall: Relatively easy terrain and an easy-going route, but still a long day on foot. Some sections may be muddy, particularly across harvested fields where the ground can be uneven. There are no significant hills; the route is mostly flat, with only gentle undulations. See route topography.
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Join us for a scenic circular walk starting and ending in Pluckley, famously known as “the most haunted village in Britain” and associated with The Darling Buds of May.

We’ll wander through peaceful woodland, country lanes, apple orchards and beautiful Kent countryside, following sections of the Stour Valley Walk and Greensand Way. Along the way, we’ll discover the atmospheric ruins of a medieval parish church and explore the charming village of Pluckley.

We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch near a local pub, where refreshments and toilet facilities will be available.

With relatively flat terrain, this promises to be a relaxed and sociable day out, combining countryside, history, village folklore and plenty of scenic highlights.
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HIGHLIGHTS
👻 Explore Pluckley, famously known as “the most haunted village in Britain”
📺 Discover some locations associated with The Darling Buds of May
🌲 Wander through peaceful woodland and beautiful Kent countryside
🍎 Walk through picturesque apple orchards
🥾 Follow sections of the Stour Valley Walk and Greensand Way
🏚️ Discover the atmospheric ruins of a medieval parish church
🍻 Stop at a pub for refreshments and toilet facilities
😊 Enjoy a relaxed, sociable and relatively flat circular walk
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OVERVIEW
📏 Distance: 20 km (approximately 12 miles)
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate, Level 3/5
📈 Elevation: Approximately 73 m ascent and 73 m descent
🚶 Pace: Approximately 5 to 5.5 km/h (3.1 to 3.4 mph)

This is not a race or a fast-paced walk, but neither is it a slow, leisurely stroll.
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OPTIONAL LONDON GROUP TRAVEL
📍 Meet at London Bridge ticket office at 08:15. We’ll leave the meeting point at 08:30 and walk to the platform together.
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TRAINS FROM LONDON
OUT: Catch the direct Southeastern train departing Charing Cross at 08:34 or London Bridge at 08:43 and arriving at Pluckley at 09:46. Journey time: approximately 1 hour 12 minutes.

RTN: Trains back to London run hourly at 16:37 and 17:37. We aim to catch the direct Southeastern service towards Charing Cross, departing Pluckley at 16:37 and arriving at London Bridge at 17:43 or Charing Cross at 17:51.

🎟️ Ticket: Super Off-Peak Day Return: £18.55 with a Network Railcard or £26.70 without.
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MEETING POINT AND TIMINGS
📍 Meet: Pluckley railway station entrance at 09:50 (what3words)
▶️ Start: Pluckley railway station
🏁 Finish: Pluckley railway station, approximately 16:20
⏱️ Estimated walking time: 4 to 5 hours
🕒 Estimated total duration: Approximately 6.5 hours, including breaks and stops

Please arrive on time, as we cannot wait for latecomers.
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🚗 BY CAR
Limited parking is available at Pluckley railway station.
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FOOD AND FACILITIES
🍔 Lunch: Bring a packed lunch, snacks and sufficient water.
🚻 Facilities: Toilet facilities and refreshments will be available at the pub stop.
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🎒 WHAT TO BRING
Packed lunch and snacks
At least 2 litres of water, and more in hot weather
Proper hiking boots or shoes with good grip
Weather-appropriate clothing and waterproofs
Sun protection
A fully charged phone
Personal medication and basic first-aid supplies
Optional trekking poles
More snacks than you think you need
A smile, good vibes and a sense of adventure
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✅ WHO CAN JOIN
Adults aged 21 and over
No children
No pets
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📅 RSVP & ATTENDANCE
Please RSVP only if you genuinely plan to attend. If you can no longer come, cancel as early as possible so someone else can take your place.

A no-show means RSVPing but not attending, or cancelling shortly before the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal from the group.

If you are stuck on the waitlist and would like to attend, please message the event host directly.
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👣 GROUP PACE & PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
This is a social group hike, and everyone is expected to stay reasonably connected with the group rather than rushing far 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 to allow the group to regroup.

If you choose to leave the group structure or continue at a significantly different pace, you will be considered to be hiking independently and will be responsible for your own route and safety.

By attending, you agree to follow these guidelines.
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EXIT POINTS
Pluckley village, approximately a 25-minute walk to the railway station.
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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:
You are responsible for deciding whether this hike is suitable for you and for taking reasonable care of your own safety. Please read the group policy before attending. The host and group accept no responsibility for injury, loss or damage.