insideKENT Magazine Issue 48 - March 2016 | Page 80

DAYSOUT

Sutton Valence Walk
Explore the beautiful village of Sutton Valence, nestled just south east of the
county town of Maidstone. Set on the Greensand ridge overlooking the Vale
of Kent and the famous Weald, this walk really shows off some of the beautiful
rural views and landscapes this area of mid Kent has to offer.

With picture postcard chocolate box cottages
and country pubs to boot, this stunning winter
walk will successfully warm your cockles. From
your first step on the road to your last sip of hot
chocolate at the pub fireside, this gorgeous walk
is the very definition of cosy!
From parking, walk ahead on the cobbled footpath
past The Swan Pub and the Post Office (beware
of right hand drop to road). Continue on the path
past some houses on your right heading towards
the nearby villages of East Sutton and Ulcombe.
On reaching a crossroads continue straight on
and follow the Greensand Way footpath sign
across the field.
Continue along field boundary and cross a track.
Keeping the house to your right, head across the
field towards road then follow Greensand Way
signs along road (Church Lane). Pass a church
on your right as you enter East Sutton, this 14thcentury parish church features Jacobean pulpit
and a late 13th-century font.
At the crossroads, continue straight on, pass
over the stile and continue along the edge of the
field, still following the Greensand Way. Pass
through a gate and continue with an apple orchard
to your right. Pass through two more gates as
you head towards the road.

Pass through the gate and turn left following
Greensand Way, pass Morry Barn on the left.
Turn right off road to follow the Greensand Way
sign and continue along path to the side of field
with stunning views on the right. Pass through
gap and continue along left edge of field, passing
Church Farm on your left. Bear right past All
Saints church car park as you approach the road
ahead.
Leaving the Greensand Way, turn right to follow
the road (Ulcombe Hill) downhill. Enter the village
of Ulcombe and turn right to follow the footpath
sign in front of the school, across a stream and
along left edge of the field. Continue up a slight
hill, through the gap and down towards road.
Cross the road and follow the footpath sign over
a stile and across the field. Go over another stile,
cross the stream and continue towards the road.
Cross the road following the footpath sign over
the stile. Go through a gate and continue ahead
across the field. Cross a stream, go through a
gate and head across the field to a stile and
follow the path through the woods.
Cross the road following the footpath sign over
a stile. Go through a gate and continue ahead
across the field. Cross the stream, go through a
gate and head across the field to a stile and
follow the path through the woods. Cross the

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stile and turn left to follow the road. A short
distance on, turn right to follow the footpath sign.
Pass a lake on your left and go through the gap.
Follow a path along edge of the field and up a
slight slope. Cross over the stile to continue onto
the path towards road.
Cross the stile and turn right to follow the road.
After a short distance turn left to follow the
bridleway. Pass a house and continue on the
surfaced road. Continue along the road and bear
left, passing the ruins of a castle on the right.
Sutton Valence Castle is under the care of English
Heritage, but is free to explore and open
throughout the year. The castle was probably
abandoned in the 14th century, but the remains
of the Norman keep are still standing. The elevated
site is an excellent place to capture panoramic
views of the surrounding countryside, not to
mention a really exciting find on a family walk!
After a short distance you reach Sutton Valence
village. Take the first road turning on the right to
take you back to the Post