insideKENT Magazine Issue 47 - February 2016 | Page 99

DAYSOUT

Wye Downs Walk
Stride across the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, taking
in spectacular views across the landscape and the village of Wye.

From the car park continue through the gates
and follow the sloping path to the top of the hill.
Pause at the top of the incline and gaze across
the patchwork landscape.
Follow the waymarkers, taking the path along
the top of the ridge. Follow the steps as they
wind down the hillside and continue along the
path across the field.
Making your way over the fields, you’ll spy Wye
village ahead. It was in this peaceful village that
Aphra Behn was born in 1640, regarded as the
first English woman to make a living as a writer.
As you reach the main road, cross over and turn
left to follow the pavement and join Church Street,
heading towards the ancient church.

This historic village is on the fording point of the
Great Stour River and was found to have been
the site of a Roman camp and villa. Wye’s history
as a royal manor by the time of the Saxons is
evident in the medieval buildings which line the
main street. Pause and enjoy refreshments in
one of the local pubs or restaurants, soaking up
views over the traditional village.

lead you towards magnificent views over the
Devil’s Kneading Trough, the most famous of the
dry valleys of the Downs.

Follow the path as it leads you across the church
grounds, following waymarkers towards the
enclosed pathway, before turning right and
following the North Downs Way signs.

Continue across the open grass and stride across
the top of the Downs, taking in more glorious
views. Soon you’ll reach another small patch of
woodland. Trace the grassy path and head back
towards the start of your walk.

Savour the views and wander on towards the
Wye Crown, an impressive crown cut into the
chalk grassland of the North Downs, created to
mark the coronation of Edward VII.

Continue along the stone track, crossing the road
and following the path as it climbs towards an
area of woodland. From the road, turn right and
follow the North Downs Way waymarkers as they

Location: Wye (TN25 5AW)
Distance: 4.3 miles (6.9 km)
Time: Allow 3 hours
OS Explorer Map: 138
Gates: 13
Stiles: 2
Terrain: Field paths and