STELLING
MINNIS WEB SITE
STELLING STRIDERS
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Contact - Mrs Derry Lowe e-mail :
derrylowe@ukf.net
I
organise a series of friendly walks in and around Stelling Minnis.
Hopefully not many will end up like these two chaps.
Well behaved dogs are welcome, as long as they can jump over the stiles or are liftable.
New walkers always welcome. Please contact me, Derry Lowe, on derrylowe@ukf.net
Dates of the next few Stelling Striders walks are:-
Wednesday 19 December
January 9th and 16th
February 6th and 20th
March 5th and 19th
April 2nd, and 16thMay 7th and 21st
June 11th and 25th
Stelling
Minnis is surrounded by beautiful countryside and there are so many
wonderful walks. Please join us, we walk for approximately 3 hours
meeting outside the village store at 10.00 a.m.
Contact: derrylowe@ukf.net
Details of walks are also published in the Hardres-Stelling News
Information on some past walks, which you are welcome to copy for your own use are:-
All walks start at Stelling Minnis Stores.
Jump to Walk No: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
(Last few walks not yet added - walks will be reorganised into places rather than numbers)
Our first walk was a great success. Six of us set off, plus three agile canines, along Scarp Lane turning right at the end and along the footpath over stile into field. Cross this to stile marked with yellow tape, from there walk parallel to hedge past Eastleigh Court, bear right and across stile and field to Stone Street. Turn left, walk approximately 200yds to the George and pick up footpath through car park, cross stile and follow path across fields to Maxted Lane. Turn left for a few yards, pick up footpath on the right towards Spong Wood. Take top path through wood and down a fairly steep flinty track past Spong Farm. Turn right, passing a beautiful timbered cottage, bracing yourself for a fairly steep climb, worth it just for the view, up towards Little Northleigh Farm. Take path out onto lane turning right towards Stone Street. Cross over to Curtis Lane, over stile cross field into Crown Lane, at the end of which is the Rose and Crown, for those in need of refreshment.
Approx. 2 1/2 hours at easy pace.
Walk down Ponycart Lane and onto the Minnis taking first stile on left through Church Wood, follow paths across fields to Church. Through churchyard onto lane crossing stile in hedge a few yards up on left following footpath diagonally across large field to stile in left corner, cross over small lane and through hedge crossing private land towards nursery and over stile onto Stone Street. Turn right and walk a few yards to footpath on left which takes you behind a row of cottages and through the mobile home park, over stile crossing field behind Dane Chantry, cross another (dodgy) stile and proceed down a field, cross stile on right and take path to right through a gate and up a steep incline onto lane, turn right to Stone Street and the Chequers. Turn right, walk short way to Hogg Lane on left. Along this lane for approx half mile to byway on right, a lovely walk ending in a steep flinty uphill incline to Bossingham. There are many paths to choose from here, but time was against us, so we walked through village and onto Minnis and home.
Approx. length of walk – 6.5 miles
Approx. time taken – 3.5 hours
Park at Waltham Church. Turn left on Church Lane, after a few yards take footpath on right through hedge to be confronted by a stunning view. Walk down steep field to lane, turn left walking up hill approx. 300yds to a bridle path on right. Follow this path up hill through woodland and fields to a lane. Cross over stile, turn right and walk down to a T junction. Pick up footpath directly ahead and up steepish incline, following paths around fields up to Sole Street. Turn right and walk a few yards to the Compasses, where we stopped for lunch. From here it is a fairly short walk back to the Church. Walk up to cross roads, turn right picking up footpath on left , walk across large field to village, path takes you through stable yard and over stile, up a flinty path and out to the Church.
Approximate Miles – 6.5
From Stelling Minnis Stores walk down to Bormanshatch corner. Look for footpath sign on the left, cross over stile and walk down steep field and up the other side, cross over stile and walk straight across field crossing two more stiles into Elham Park Wood. Follow track to firepath, turn right and walk along to lane, turn left and continue along lane for approx. half mile, past Hawes Farm. Take footpath on right crossing over two stiles, follow track through woods to a large field, cross over stile and follow footpath diagonally to the right, cross over two stiles into coppice.
Follow track passing two posts on right, on reaching a stile turn left along track to another stile leading into the grounds of the Lord Whisky Sanctuary. Cross a small paddock, over a stile and walk along side of field keeping close to fence. At end of fence bear left following path across large open field to a lane. Turn right and walk a few yards down to the Lord Whiskey Tea Rooms. We stopped for coffee, wishing we were lunching too.
From there take the road towards Stone Street (opposite pond) picking up first footpath on the right through coppice, cross over a firepath and follow path through more coppice, on reaching a field and noisy kennels, cross over stile and walk towards a lane. Turn right and keep walking straight for approx. 1 ˝ miles (the windmill should become visible) down a small hill and up to Chapel Cottages on the right. Turn left here and walk towards the windmill, along Mill Lane back to the village.
Approx. length of walk - 7 miles
Approx. time taken - 3 hours (not including coffee stop)
No information
From the shop pass the Rose & Crown and turn left down Crown Lane into a field. Follow footpath on the right, which bears left at the bottom to a stile on Stone Street. Cross over to a lane to Northleigh and continue on this windy lane until reaching kennels on the left. Turn left and walk to a junction, turn right and continue down this lane until reaching a narrow hilly lane on the right. Walk down the lane until reaching Yockletts Banks Nature Reserve on the right. Follow the path through these woods until reaching a wooden seat, stop and enjoy the wonderful view, which is why the seat is there, it being dedicated to Mr Flint, who loved this spot so much.
Continue along the path until reaching a lane and cross over to the second part of Yockletts Banks. The path is not so clear so make your way to the top of the woods and walk along the edge of the fields, all planted with fruit trees. Walk along edge of fields until reaching a path through woods (Dunlies Wood). At the end turn right and walk up a to a lane, turn left and walk half a mile or so to Stone Street. Cross over and immediately to the left pick up a footpath and over a stile into a large field. Follow the footpath towards farm buildings, bearing right before reaching them onto a path towards Stelling Church. Cross narrow stile into the lane and turn left. Walk along this lane passing the church on the right and continue for approx. half a mile until reaching the Minnis. Turn right and continue along until reaching a track (Pony Cart Lane) which leads back to the village.
Time Taken: 3 hours
Approx Miles: 5.5
QUESTION: In the second part of Yockletts Banks towards the top of the woods close to the field we came upon a large hole. Approximately 10ft in diameter and 15ft deep, sort of flint lined and what looked like a tunnel leading off at the bottom. It has been fenced off by the Kent Trust with a sign warning of danger. If you know what this hole is all about I’d appreciate it if you would put pen to paper for the Parish magazine.
From the shop walk past the Rose & Crown down Pony Cart Lane and along the Minnis to the Chapel. Turn left here and carry on down the lane past the Church (Note steepish hill down then up). On reaching a T-junction turn left and walk towards Stone Street. Directly opposite the entrance to Orchard Nursery, step into the field and keeping to the hedge walk back towards the woods. Staying in the field, walk along the edge of the woods until reaching a lane (Hogg Lane). Almost immediately turn right and walk along the other side of the woods along the top of a beautiful valley. Eventually you will drop down to join another track which ends in a fairly upwardly steep flinty incline into Bossingham village. From here we walked through the village and back across the Minnis. Lovely walk for dogs too, but do take care as the woods are home to pheasants.
Approx length of walk – 4.5 miles
Approx time taken – 2.5 hours
Good Friday. Weather perfect. 16 adults, 5 children and 5 dogs set off from the shop with the objective of walking to the Duck at Pett Bottom.
Walk straight across the road, down the minnis and along to Bormanshatch Corner. On the bend take the lane on the left and walk until the lane divides, taking right lane walking down and then up a fairly steep hill. At the top bear left and continue along this lane, woods on your left. We kept to the lanes (very quiet) through Palmstead, Clambercrown and down through Quilters wood, picking up a lane on the right and then onto a footpath which runs parallel to, but above the lane to Pett Bottom. Keep on this path for approximately a mile when you will see the path to the left dropping down to the Duck. We sat in the garden enjoying a well earned lunch.
Lovely walk for families and four legged friends. We encountered only a few but ‘dog friendly’ stiles. At one point we met some inquisitive Alpacas with splendid ‘hairdos’.
Walk approx. 5 miles.
Time taken – 3 hours
Gathered outside the shop at 10.00 am, accompanied by 6 four-legged friends this time. Turned left by the Rose & Crown down crown lane to the field, keeping to footpath on the right to Stone Street. Cross over onto lane and walk through North Leigh, turning left by the kennels and along to a t-junction. Turn right and walk down until reaching a fork, take the right lane and walk down until reaching Yockletts Banks on the right.
Follow the lower path through the woods, at the moment carpeted with wood anemones. On reaching a lane turn left and walk down to Duckpit Road. Turn right and walk along for half mile or so taking second footpath on the right, over a stile walk up the field, cross another stile into woods and walk straight up to an orchard.
Turn left and walk along edge of orchard until reaching a path on the left through Dunlies Woods. Walk down until reaching a path, turn right and walk up to a lane turning left and walk until reaching Stone Street. Cross over to a stile slightly to the left into a large field, pick up path towards Stelling Farm taking a right path before reaching the farm and walk across to another stile leading into Church Lane. Turn left and follow this lane to the Minnis, coming out by the old Chapel. Turn right and walk along until reaching Pony Cart Lane and back to the village.
Approximately 5 miles taking about 3 hours.
An INTREPID TRIO set off from the shop along Pony Cart Lane to the Minnis. Where have all the Strollers gone?
Short way along the Minnis take first footpath on left, cross over stile and follow path through woods, crossing another stile into large field. Follow the footpath bearing to the right crossing field diagonally, picking up other paths, which lead onto Stone Street. Cross over with Doghouse Farm on the left and walk straight over field bearing left into woods following a path into another field, walk across through farm buildings (Wadden Hall Farm). Cross straight over a lane walking straight ahead through an orchard, not clearly marked, but the path cuts through the middle of the trees.
On reaching edge of field and woods, turn left walking along until reaching that ‘big hole’ on the right. (One theory is it is an old charcoal pit. Any other ideas?) From here walk a little further until finding a small path leading down through woods (Yockletts Banks) and out into a lane. Turn right and walk down to Duckpit Lane. Turn left passing Little Bucket Farm and continue until reaching a 3-way junction and Dean Farm.
Cross over into a no-through lane and continue until reaching two lovely timbered cottages. Turn left and walk passed cottages through edge of woods, through two large gates and bear right up and across corner of field to a steep grassy incline. You will see a yellow marker pointing towards steep steps and a stile. Once over stile bear left and cross over field to another stile passing Little Northleigh Farm and on and out onto a lane, turn right and walk to Stone Street. Cross over into Curtis Lane, over stile, cross diagonally over field to path leading to Crown Lane and back into the village.
Approximate miles – 5.5
Time taken – 2.5 hours
From the shop walk past the Rose & Crown and turn left down Crown Lane to the field. Walk along the right hand side of the field following footpath to Stone Street. Cross over into Northleigh and follow the windy lane until reaching kennels on your left. Turn left and at the end of lane turn right and walk on down until reaching a fork in road, take right lane and walk down a 100yds or so until reaching Yockletts Banks on the right.
Follow bottom path through Yockletts (at this time of year noticing the orchids), until reaching a lane, turn left and walk down until reaching a T junction, turn right and after a few yards turn left passing Yockletts farm and then bear left into a smaller lane. Ignore the first bridal/footpath and take the second footpath on left. Over a small stile into a lovely wild meadow covered in orchids, vetch and all sorts of lovely grasses. Follow path slightly to the right towards the woods, over a stile and continue bearing to the right until reaching a stile. Cross over and cut across corner of field over another stile and then bear left and walk along the top of this field until reaching a stile in the corner.
Continue along the top of the next field parallel to the woods for a few l00yds, then bear left and walk up towards the hedge (picking your way through thistles) and cross over stile, bear right and walk along edge of field. After a short while a tennis court is visible through hedge on the right, follow the footpath, ignoring a stile on the left, to a metal gate which leads into a private garden, so be sure to close the gate. Keep to the left of the house and walk down the drive to a lane. Cross immediately over and along edge of field to a stile on the right in the corner. Over this high stile, crossing the corner of the next field, and over next stile. In front you will see the footpath clearly leading down and then up to Bodsham and the Timberbatts. (Groan, groan, we had not a penny between us).
Just before the Timberbatts is a small lane on the left. This winds down past Great Holt Farm. At the end turn left and then keep to this lane for a couple of miles, up Dean Hill to Stone Street. Cross over into Curtis Lane, take the stile directly on the corner and cross over to Crown Lane and back into the village.
Approx Time taken: 2.5 – 3 hours
Approximate miles: 5
Park at Waltham Church, walk up the lane until reaching a playing field on left. Cross over to right hand corner and into a field picking up the footpath. (I would like to point out here that the actual footpath runs through the grounds of the old public house, next to the playing field, now a private house. We did cross this path but with great difficulty. The stiles were very high, the last one being virtually impossible because it was buried in a thick unfriendly hedge, but we made it. Until it has been rectified I suggest you keep to the playing field path).
Follow the path down until reaching a lane, turn left for a few yards picking up a bridle path on the right across paddocks. Again the stiles are not in good repair and are high. Keep on this path along edge of Doves Wood until reaching another lane. Cross over and continue along path leading into woodland, bear left following path through the woods and out onto a lane. Bear right down lane until picking up a footpath on the left which runs down the other side of Doves Wood. Keep walking through field, Bavinge Farm on the right and into Bavinge Woods. Walk through the woods, through a field and out onto a lane. Cross over the lane, over a stile and into a field. Climb straight up the field, the path is not easily recognisable because of crops. At the top you will see a gap in the hedge which opens into Church Lane. Turn left and walk back up to the church.
Approx Miles: 5
Time taken: 2 ˝ - 3 hours
Leave shop and walk down Crown Lane, cross diagonally left over field to stile in corner into Curtis Lane. Cross over Stone Street bearing left to a lane. After a short walk pick up footpath on the left through Little Northleigh Farm. Cross over stile and follow path bearing right across a field to a stile hidden in the hedge. Cross over and follow path down to the left to another stile. Take care as the ground drops down from the stile onto some ‘tricky’ steps. Follow path down and then bear left diagonally across corner of field towards a stile into woods.
Cross stile, bear right and walk along path passing two beautiful old houses, then bear left and walk up past another lovely house and onto a fairly steep flinty path on the edge of Spong wood. At end of wood, bear left and walk down and then up through fields until reaching a lane.
Turn right; walk along for a few hundred yards until turning right again. Keep on this lane until reaching a right hand bend, carry straight on into field and keep following this path, eventually reaching Homelands Farm. Keep on path through the buildings, through a gate into a lane. Walk up to a T-junction and turn right (busy road to Stowting). Keep walking until reaching Cavalry Farm on the left. Pick up footpath on the left passing stables and farm buildings. Through a farm gate and follow the footpath up along edge of field and into woods until reaching Stone Street.
Cross straight over into fire path and keep walking until reaching X paths. Turn left and keep on this path all the way until reaching a stile. The footpath actually runs through the garden to another stile. The owner has now put up a fence to keep his two rather intimidating dogs in, but if you are not happy about them just walk around the boundary and out onto a lane.
Cross straight over and walk down past kennels on right and keep going until reaching crossroads. Keep walking straight on down a hill past a bungalow on right and up the other side until arriving at Chapel Cottages. Bear left and follow footpath towards the windmill. Pick up Mill Lane, up to the T-junction, cross over and walk down short road bearing left onto a footpath, which leads back to the shop.
Approx mileage: 5.5 miles
Time taken: 3.5 hours
From the shop walk straight down the Minnis along to the end of Harvest Lane. Turn left and almost immediately right into Split Lane. Walk down this lane until reaching a right hand bend, take the footpath immediately ahead into woods. Continue until reaching a cross paths, turn right and walk down through the woods until reaching a lane.
Turn left and after a few yards pick up footpath on right and cross a paddock and up into woods. Keep on this flinty incline through the woods until reaching a lane. Bear right and continue until reaching a junction. Turn left and immediately right and walk along lane until you reach a footpath leading through Covet Wood. Keep on this path dropping down through woods to another lane.
Turn right here and walk along a gated road passing Dane Farm on the left. Through a five bar gate carrying on round a right hand bend and up until reaching yet another lane. Turn right and walk along passing Charcoal Farm on left, then picking up a footpath by side of a house on the right, crossing a field, over a stile and into a lane.
Keep walking along this lane until reaching Madams Wood, take the fire path through this wood to a lane, turn right and walk up this lane passing Farthingsole Farm on right and when reaching a staggered junction take the right lane leading down a steep hill and up again until arriving at Boormanshatch Farm and Corner.
Either walk straight on up the road to the village, or cross over the road and follow footpaths taking you over the Minnis pass the windmill and back to the village.
Good walk if taking your dog, but there were a lot of pheasants around.
Approximate Mileage: 5
Time taken: 3 Hours
Walk No 17 - No information published
Round trip from Stelling Minnis to Waltham.
Leaving the shop, walk down Pony Cart lane and along the Minnis until reaching the first stile on left. Cross over and follow path with woodland on the right. Over next stile and follow footpath straight ahead to a large oak tree. Here you will see a path to the right through crops, continue along for a short while until picking up a path on the left to Stone Street. Cross over directly to a footpath by the side of Doghouse Farm and continue on this all the way to Waddenhall Farm. Cross over a lane and walk through orchards until reaching woodland.
Pick up a path through the edge of wood (marked by a white plastic bag). Walk down through woods, over a stile and down a steep field, over another tricky stile into Duckpit Lane. Cross straight over to a footpath up a steady incline to a stile in left hand corner. Cross this and bear right along a narrow path, over another stile into large field where the path leads directly to Waltham Church.
Turn right along lane into the village, right again into Kake Street and take the first footpath on right through a stable yard, down side of field and over a stile. Turn left and over next stile and walk down through fields to Ansdore. Here you will pick up a lane leading down to Duckpit Lane, again. Bear left and pick up footpath immediately on right, not an easy stile to negotiate. Walk up steep field and cross over stile into woods. Walk straight up through woods until reaching orchards.
Turn left and walk along edge of woods until reaching a footpath through Dunlies woods. At the end turn right and walk up a steady incline to a lane. Turn left and walk along lane to Stone Street. Cross directly over to a stile and into field. Keep on the footpath over to Stelling Lodge Farm. Turn right into lane and carry on past the church, some cottages and onto a footpath. Follow this path which will bear left to woods. Cross over stile and walk up track to a gate. This brings you out by the Chapel on the Minnis. Turn right and walk back along Minnis to Pony Cart Lane and back to the village.
Distance: 6.75 miles
Time Taken: 3.5 hours
Page designed and produced for Stelling Minnis Parish Council by Nick Smith -
21st January 2004 - updated 20 February 2008
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