Any short cut options please?

No, apart from the one mentioned in the walk post.

Changing at Ashford, there were 4 other SWCers on the platform, and we were then all surprised when during the 9 minute journey on the connecting train, there were raindrops hitting the windows! How dare they, this was not forecast!
The rain lasted only for about 20 minutes after the walk's start, and most of that we were in the woods, so let's forget about it. For the rest of the walk it was grey and overcast with occasional sunny breaks.
There were plenty of bluebells in those early woods, if just slightly past their peak (and some more in better state in that small wooded patch just b4 Farthing Common). Wild Garlic was present in several places and buttercups were practically everywhere.
The wind (and quite some wind it was) was blowing in from the left behind all day, so wasn't a nuisance at all. All in, not bad for a walk in November... (oh, it's May, is it?).
Passing the Tiger Inn, there were indeed about 10 workers on site, seemingly halfway through a grand inside and outside complete refurb of that pub (and it's looking promising).
On to the Five Bells then for the 4 lunchers (all on tarmac lanes as per the walk directions, although there seem to be footpath alternatives possible through the open countryside w/o adding any kilometerage?). We arrived 4 minutes before the booked time, and were quickly ushered to our table. This was then one of the rare (if not only) moments on a group walk I remember when the whole group agreed that all and any item on the menu sounded interesting, tasty and needed to be eaten. Now, we did not order all and everything of course, but what we ordered was all that was hoped for. Recommended. Very recommended.
The rest was a relative doddle, mainly escarpment paths with grand views (did I mention that we could see not only Dungeness and the Fire Hills between Rye and Hastings, but also France!?), and then we had about half an hour in Wye to waste before the 18.18. Cue the Tickled Trout, or so we thought. Only they had a Band Night on and all seats (inside and out) were fully booked. Baah! At least Wye Station has a waiting room...
Later I found out (by text) that 1 other had overnighted in Hythe and had done some of the route a bit later than us while bumping into another Sunday regular en route (off a later train).
7 windy and grey but dry

I was one of the "Sunday 6" and can confirm the glorious carpets of buttercups and the overall brilliance of this walk. Just before you descend into Wye there is a seat overlooking superb views and I can remember many tears ago when quite a large SWC group had a rest and a snooze here before descending to Wye and drinks at the Tickled Trou which also has delicious (but not home made) cakes. Hope the weather is good and clear for you as this really enhances the views.

34 on this walk 32 at the start and (at least) two late starters with most, I think, getting the normal train rather than the high speed one. Weather: sunny and hot, though with the heat a bit mitigated by high cloud in the afternoon. Perhaps a walk with more shade might have been nice, but who was complaining? Glorious weather, glorious scenery, a glorious time of year. The countryside an eye aching green with not a trace of brown or seediness or decay excepting perhaps some ash trees that looked to be affected by die back. Lots of buttercups everywhere. Common blue and small heath butterflies throughout. Swifts screaming over Wye at the end. Remember, oh remember, days like this.

The group got very split up very early on. Some went off at warp speed, leaving three of us trailing far behind. On we walked across the lonely hills with not a soul in sight ahead nor behind. But later it transpired we were in the middle not at the back. A refugee group apparently got to the lunch pub even later than we did and took a taxi from there at 4pm.

The Tiger Inn was as lovely as ever: pleasantly busy but not overcrowded; cheerful and friendly. No sucking of teeth or warnings about how long food would take to come. A convivial meal in the cool shade on a hot patio. In my mind’s eye it is always a sunny day in early June at this pub.

A tea stop before the end of the walk would have been nice, but it was not to be. Some of us had a sit instead on the lip of the Devil’s Kneading Trough, or whatever it is called. Then down to Wye and the Tickled Trout and beer, tea, ice cream and a paddle for three of us in the cool stream. Some took the 18.54 train, which was delayed; the rest took the 19.20, which wasn’t.

"Remember, oh remember, days like this."
Couldn't put it better and I think we all will. (One of the three trailing far behind.)

6 (further comments from DC?)

The Tiger Inn appears to be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

3 off the Javelin train from St Pancras, 1 off the service from Charing X, and 1 by car, so I make that 5 on our outing in Kent.
mostly sunny and warm to hot with a cooling breeze on top of the Downs, near perfect summer walking conditions for this walk along a hilly, downs section of the North Downs Way.
3 stopped at the closed Tiger Inn to make use of their outdoor seating whilst eating their sandwiches, leaving 2 of us to walk along the road to the Five Bells Inn in Brabourne, which served us excellent lunches. I can highly recommend this customer and walker friendly pub, with its comfortable internal and external seating areas, good choice of beers and ciders and a good choice of home cooked food from an extensive menu.
One of the sandwichers joined us for the afternoon leg (the other two having continued post prandial along the main route) and the sun came out again after the skies briefly threatened us with a storm during our lunch break.
More lovely views from the top of the Crundale Downs, then the descent to Wye. A swift half in the Tickled Trout, then home on the 17 52, arriving back at St Pancras at 19 00 hrs.
This walk is suitably demanding in length and climbs to give one a really good workout whilst providing walkers with lovely panoramic views along most of its route, and especially enjoyable on a nice summers day.

Looks like the Cannon Street train is now starting at Victoria at 9.30 NOT CANNON STREET

Thanks I tried to double check train times yesterday but was having problems with journey planner.

10 Warm and sunny, Summer is back. For many this is in the top 10 of the SWC walks with very fine views all along the North Downs Way. Looking back towards Folkestone the sea was blue and the sky clear enough to see France. A walker has sensibly booked a table at the The Tiger and we had a choice of inside or outside seating. Food was excellent and promptly served. The staff kindly brought an umbrella to shade the outdoor eaters. We all stopped at the Tickled Trout for refreshment and a few stayed on for a later train.

8 on this walk. The gloomy weather forecast was only part right: we had two very heavy showers but otherwise lots of sun. The second shower was a rather magnificent hailstorm which produced wonderfully misty light effects on the valley below as it passed, also providing a good test for winter walking gear (which some items failed.....). But for the most part this was a fine day out on a fine downland ridge.

The forecast meant the Tiger Inn in Stowting was not as busy as it might have been, though it was still far from empty. It is always a pleasure to eat at this friendly pub. In the afternoon we met two young Swedes who had started their walk at 7.30 am in Dover, which put us in our place. In Wye we optimistically sat in the garden as dusk fell, but were forced inside by the evening chill after one drink. Autumn is here!

By a spooky coincidence I was in the Wye area on Sunday 1 May and took the opportunity to check the directions at point 57. I can confirm that the permissive route that took you closer to the escarpment at point 57 in the directions has indeed been closed. But the NDW route is also perfectly pleasant, if with less striking views, and you soon come to the escarpment edge by this route.

The pdf directions

http://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book 3/walk 24/SWC Walk 24 Sandling to Wye.pdf

have now been updated (2 May version) to reflect this change and give full details of the NDW route.

I can also confirm that the early tea stop at the Devil's Kneading Trough has gone: it is now a wedding venue. The Latte e Miele cafe in Wye is now the Wye Coffee Shop and Kitchen, but it closes at 3pm on Sundays so is unlikely to be of use to any of us. The Tickled Trout pub flourishes, however and its riverside garden is as pleasant as ever.

Fans of oilseed rape might also like to know that the fields along the base of the escarpment as you approach Wye are currently a feast of this lovely yellow crop. See

https://www.flickr.com/photos/46429541@N02/26774468675/

and

https://www.flickr.com/photos/46429541@N02/26749299046/in/photostream/

Intend going via Waterloo East

9 on this walk; 6 off the train and 3 others we met up with en route. This is the best NDW walk in the SWC repertoire with glorious views throughout and the countryside looking lush and verdant in glorious hot and sunny weather. Three of us had our sandwich lunch on the hill overlooking the village and it was tough to tear ourselves away to amble down to the village to the Tiger pub to meet the others.

We split up after lunch with 3 enjoying a "long" lunch whilst the rest of us enjoyed the superb ridge views on the way back to Wye. A final refreshing drink at the Tickled Trout whose policy of having live music on a hot sunny Sunday afternoon does not seem to work when 98% of their customers are lounging in the lovely garden by the river. They stopped after 2 numbers of blues rock.

Superb day out in great company. (Finally saw loads of youngsters doing the Duke of Eds silver award and we, ahem, provided a little confirmation of the onward route to one group.)

Superb walk indeed. The 3 long lunchers eventually made it to Wye, only to be drummed out of the garden at the Tickled Trout by some ghastly band. Most trains cancelled due to signal failure so home on the 18.50 which was packed full with many passengers standing for the duration.

I feel your pain regarding the ghastly band. I had the same experience the Sunday previous. Got to the pub, bought my drink and peanuts, settled happily into a chair by the sunny riverside to listen to the evening birds and then BAM! Not one of the TT's more inspired ideas for summer Sundays.

I've e mailed the Tickled Trout very politely suggesting they reconsider their music policy on summer Sundays

After enduring the loud rock music with horrible female singer trying to sing Elvis Presley, we found that Signal failure on the line affecting all trains to and from Victoria and Charing X. This meant the 3 Epicureans who had spent 2 hours consuming a fantastic lunch with amazing Yorvale ice cream and coffee had to pile onto the high speed train standing room only as far as Ashford. I used the interchange at Stratford to access the Jubilee line but it involves a long 10 mins walk towards Waitrose and then the whole length of Westfield shopping centre with hardly any signage to guide you! A quicker option if you don't want to continue to St Pancras however.

nice post ty

9 on this walk; me and eight women. sunny but with cool breeze at times. After a brief meeting and vote (5 to 3) I was invited to accompany the newly formed SWC feminist, collective walking group and we all enjoyed a glorious day out on this most beautiful section of the North Downs with its spectacular views. 5 of us took lunch at the recommended picnic spot before we all met up again at the Tiger Inn (excellent)for drinks where we managed to bag a large outside table in the sun for all 9 of us.
In the afternoon we enjoyed more fine views of the rolling downs and distant plains in the glowing autumn light. One walker checked out a possible early tea stop but later reported it was not open. The rest of us marched on to Wye where most went straight to the station for the 16.57 train whilst 2 of us had a quick drink at the Tickled Trout (which I have to say needs a bit of a make over as its looking a bit tired) and caught a later train. A superb SWC day out.