10 must-visit Kent woodlands
Be sure to check out these 10 woods whilst exploring Kent, each offering something a little different across the county.
The vast woodland around Toy’s Hill is owned by the National Trust and is crisscrossed with numerous colour-coded walking routes and well-signposted public footpaths. One option is to park at Toy’s Hill car park then meander eastwards along part of the Greensand Way, a long-distance rural path between Kent and Surrey, on to the pretty village of Ide Hill where you can revive and revitalise with traditional food at the cosy and kid-friendly Cock Inn pub. Your options then are to simply retrace your steps back to Toy’s Hill car park or complete a circular route via Emmetts Garden and Scords Wood.
Total walking time (excluding food stops): approximately 2 hours
Route difficulty: Woodland paths with some leg-testing grassy hills and farm tracks thrown in. Not suited to buggies and pushchairs.
Mud factor: One for the wellies/walking boots as the walk crisscrosses woods and fields.
Pit stops: The Cock Inn pub (highchairs but no baby changing facilities), plus tea rooms and public toilets at Emmetts Garden.
Toy’s Hill car park to The Cock Inn, Ide Hill (approximately 50 mins walking)
The Cock Inn to Toy’s Hill car park (circular route via Emmetts Gardens, approximately 1 hr 10 mins walking)
Toy’s Hill car park (sat nav TN16 1QG). Parking is free – beware height restriction barrier if you have roof-mounted bikes.
The Cock Inn, Camberwell Lane, Ide Hill (TN14 6JN, tel: 01732 750310) Kitchen open daily from 12pm.
Emmetts Garden, Ide Hill (TN14 6BA, tel: 01732 868381)
Be sure to check out these 10 woods whilst exploring Kent, each offering something a little different across the county.
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