20.5 km (12.8 miles) Difficulty 6/10
A lovely walk following one of the best sections of the North Downs Way with fine views for nearly the whole walk.
A short detour before Wye Down’s Memorial Crown, would take you to Collyershill Wood where, at this time of year, there should be a magnificent display of flowering wild garlic.
Trains
The cheapest option is the 9:16 Ramsgate train from Victoria, direct to Sandling, arriving 10:41.
For a faster but dearer journey, take the 09:37 Dover Priory High Speed from St Pancras (Stratford International 09:44) changing at Ashford International onto the same Ramsgate train (10:30 platform 5).
Sandling and Wye are on different Southeastern lines out of Ashford. A return to Sandling, the dearer destination, is suggested. In practice this is usually accepted to return from Wye. But.....today, the short stretch from Wye to Ashford is a bus replacement so it may be prudent to also buy a single from Wye to Ashford.
Bus leaves Wye station xx::05, arrives Ashford xx:17 to connect with either….
- the xx:27 to Victoria (platform 1). Overall journey time from Wye 2hrs or
- the pricier xx:43 High Speed to St Pancras (platform 8). Overall journey time 1hr:16.
Lunch
The Tiger Inn (01303 862130) in Stowting has reopened. Possibly more upmarket than before. 9.2km (5.7 miles) into the walk. Open all day from noon.
Alternatively 2.2km (1.4 miles) further up the road you have the Five Bells Inn (01303 813334 in Brabourne. (This requires a detour, adding 800 metres (0.5 miles) to the walk length).
Tea
The Tickled Trout (01233 812227) in Wye is a popular pub stop, with a garden beside the River Stour. It is just across the bridge from Wye station. Other options include the Kings Head in Church Street (no garden), or the New Flying Horse, in Upper Bridge Street (has a garden).
Walk Directions here
The detour to Collyershill Wood starts about 750m into the 1 km stretch described in point 70. Go through a metal kissing gate on your right, (with a yellow circular walk sign) and across a field to reach the wood (this is on the route of SWC’s Wye Circular at point 18). Afterwards, retrace your steps to the main route.
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