Green Belt
Relay
Green Belt
Relay
Stage 4 - Little Marlow to Great Kingshill (12.2 miles)
The stage is tough, very hilly with many steep climbs and mostly off-road. The route goes up around the back of High Wycombe and through the Chilterns. It's a bit like a roller coaster, a long gradual climb at the start, many short sharp climbs and falls, but all in all six major climbs and each one a long and hard slog. However, you'll enjoy ever step of the way.
The start is at the entrance to Wilton Farm. Just outside the entrance to “Emmett's Farm Shop". Produce from the farm, and much more, is on display and for sale. Philip Emmett, owner of Wilton Farm, is always obliging and gives permission each year to park marshal’s cars in the car park and start the stage next to the entrance.
From the entrance of Emmett’s Farm Shop at Little Marlow, go west along the pavement next to the A4155. After a quarter of a mile turn right into Winchbottom Lane.
For the walk around London (the Green Belt Way), the start is just inside the entrance to the farm shop and goes north from the road, past the farm shop and through the farmyard to join a track uphill along the right edge of a field. After 800 metres the track veers slightly left at an outhouse and across the field to veer right again, with the edge of the field now to the left. There are good views behind and to the left over the Thames Valley, the surrounding countryside and the town of Marlow. On reaching a metal kissing gate, on the left, go through it onto a path through Bloom Wood. After about 350 yards, as the main track goes straight on, turn left onto a signed path. Continue on this path through the woods and eventually down a very steep hill to come out onto Winchbottom Lane. The main track leads to and past the aptly named Hard to Find Farm.
On the right just before the steep hill down is a circular bank and ditch. This is believed to have been a medieval enclosure for animals and a notice board recently placed here by “The ROMADAM Project” (The Recording of Marlow and District’s Ancient Monuments) give some information on the earthwork.
On reaching the lane turn right and follow it uphill. It is here the footpath around London rejoins the relay route at 1.3 miles into the stage.
Winchbottom Lane is quiet, wooded and hilly on both sides. Be wary of cars as it is very narrow with a few places for cars to pass each other. The climb up from the A4155 goes on gradually for a mile and a half to a Y-junction. Keep left on the main lane past Winchbottom Farm and gradually uphill. After another 0.7 miles the lane passes under the A404, widens and the climb gets steeper. Within 400 yards a T-junction with the old main Marlow to Wycombe Road (Burroughs Grove Hill) is reached. Turn right and cross over, when quiet, and past the Blacksmith Arms pub at Handy Cross. Immediately after the pub, turn left into Ragman’s Lane. The lane leads behind the pub and between it and its car park – now 3 miles into the stage. After a short distance the lane turns left, be careful as it’s very narrow and does have the odd vehicle, sometimes at speed and not expecting to meet anyone.
In just over 400 yards at a T-junction of lanes with a grassy area in the centre, turn right and after a short distance stay right onto a track past a farmhouse.
The track goes downhill between trees and eventually becomes a path between fields. Follow it straight on towards the motorway (M40) in the distance. On approaching the motorway follow the path as it turns right and then left through a conveniently situated tunnel under the M40.
The motorway and gaping hole under it can be seen from a long way away. The tunnel is a bit of a lonely place and much too large to have been built as a path, it’s big enough to allow large agricultural machinery to pass through it. The area along the path and around the tunnel does not seem to be looked after by the local council as it’s obviously used as a bit of a dumping ground.
After passing through the tunnel, turn left and uphill along a path. There is a stile immediately in front on exiting the tunnel which leads to the service entrance of ASDA, on the edge of a retail park, but please only take it if you feel you need provisions. For the next mile follow a path straight on and parallel to the M40, only yards away from the speeding traffic.
The modern out of town shopping park to the right has a couple of major supermarkets, a multi screen cinema, a hotel and a few large American restaurants. Considering the path is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of modern day society and at points the people in their cars seem close enough to reach out and touch, it still feels peaceful and isolated from its surroundings.
Soon after ASDA, a path goes off to the right, just ignore this and continue straight on and parallel to the motorway. The path then passes the back of a Waitrose store and after another 300 yards turns right and away from the motorway. After just a few yards and at a junction of paths, turn left onto a path which continues parallel to the motorway. Soon to the right a large seemingly lifeless office block give the feeling of being looked out on from its modern square glass façade. After passing the offices continue straight on and uphill to come out on a grassy area next to Cressex Road.
Here intermittent small airplanes look as if they are dive bombing the motorway. However, they are on their final approach to the Wycombe Air Centre which is just across the motorway.
At the road turn right to gradually leave the constant hum of the M40 behind. Cross over to the pavement on the left and after 150 yards then turn left into Limmer Lane. Follow the lane uphill, between houses to a roundabout. Go straight on past a green and cricket field to the left. After 100 yards, at a Y-junction veer left on a lane, with the green still to your left and soon past the Live and Let Live Pub.
The pub hides in the woods on top of Booker Common. There is no through road, just a dirt track which leads to some houses.
100 yards after the pub turn left onto a wide path into the woods signed public footpath. The path is not well defined as there are a few options. However, veer right at an angle of about 30° and gradually downhill. After 100 yards turn right onto a path which gradually leads downhill (DO NOT go straight on along a path directly downhill). After another 300 yards, on reaching a Y-junction of paths (at 5 miles) turn sharp left and continue downhill. At the bottom turn right, and almost immediately right again, onto another path, still in the woods and running parallel to the road.
There is more direct original route through these woods, with severe declines and inclines. However, this has been blocked for a few years now by a fallen tree. Luckily there are many paths through and this has not proved to be much of a hindrance.
The path parallel to the road is almost flat. Follow it for a couple of hundred yards, before turning left on a narrow path for just a few yards to reach a road (Lane End Road). Cross straight over the road and onto another path on the opposite side. Follow this path through a narrow gap in a fence, directly away from the road and steep uphill to High Barbers Wood and Sunters Wood.
Both are beautiful, lonely and peaceful. They seem to be protected by the council yet underused by the locals as in many years of going through here I have never come across anyone.
The route through is fairly direct. However, pay attention to the instructions as there are many options to stray off course. Another event must follow the same route as shown by painted white arrows on trees. Again take care as many of these have faded with age.
The paths through the woods have some sharp descents and climbs as not much around here is flat. Underfoot is rough, with flint-stones making it uneven in places. When wet, these stones can be very slippery and a lot of care needs to be taken.
At the top of the climb from the road, at a Y-junction take the path to the right and follow this for about 400 yards to a T-junction of paths – at first this path is flat, but before the T-junction there is a steep decline, immediately followed by a steep incline. At the T-junction, again turn right and follow the path until it turns left towards a field. Within a few yards of turning left take a narrow path to the right. Be careful not to miss this as it can sometimes get slightly overgrown with grass and it is the first of two paths which are very close to each other and both going off in the same direction. The path winds its way through the woods and after a few hundred yards descends gradually then steeply. Near the bottom turn left and after a few yards through a kissing gate and into a very large field. Go straight across the field by following the well defined path.
Civilisation does not seem to extend to this place. The rolling field of crops goes on for an age in both directions and is surrounded by woods on all sides. However, a few years ago I was amazed to see a huge ditch had been cut the length of the field. There were lots of construction equipment and workmen in hard hats. On investigation I had a pleasant conversation with an Irishman who informed me they were laying a service pipe. What service I forget, but a year later there was no sign of them ever being there and the only scar through the field now is the well defined path which we follow and where the farmer has planted no seeds.
After crossing the field, go through a kissing gate to enter another wood and turn right to follow a track uphill. This is a long and steady climb up to Druid's Hut.
The track seems old and is enclosed with banks on each side. Above the bank to the left is a wood and on the bank to the right is hedgerow and trees with the odd gap to give views to the field and industrial estate below. It seems to be used by horses from time to time as hoof prints are visible in the ground. Half way up look down to your right, and in the distance into Adams Park, the ground of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club.
At the top of the climb the track widens and eventually leads to a lane. On passing a house on the right, with usually a noisy dog although I have never seen it, follow the lane as it turns left.
Along here is very private and well off the beaten track but it is also a public footpath. The route passes a few intermittent tasteful dwellings to the left and then to the right is a great view, at a break in the trees, to a statue of a soldier on horseback and through the grounds to West Wycombe House in the distance.
After 400 yards follow the main lane as it turns right and downhill.
The lane as it sweeps downhill is lined on both sides with hedgerow and trees and goes on for almost half a mile with wonderful views of the rolling hills of the Chilterns in the distance.
At the bottom of the lane turn right onto the A40 towards and through West Wycombe Village.
West Wycombe House and Park was the home of Sir Francis Dashwood during most of the 18th Century. He was born in London in 1708 into a wealthy family and educated at Eton. His father, also Francis (1st Baronet Dashwood), made the family fortune through dealings with the Ottoman Empire trading in Turkey and China. He was an only son and thus heir to the fortune. His mother died when he was two and his father when he was sixteen thus he inherited the family fortune at a young age. If you read the above link to Sir Francis’ life by George Knowles you can see, like most wealthy young men of the time, he travelled a lot. This was known as their “Grand Tour”. Dashwood took two Grand Tours and met many influential people around the royal courts of Europe. His time in Mediterranean countries and especially Italy was to have a great influence on him and lay the foundations of what he got up too in later life. It also was to have a major effect on the layout and buildings in this West Wycombe.
Although brought up a Catholic he rebelled against his religion. He became a Member of Parliament and through his contacts, wealth and personality he reached the high post of Chancellor of the Exchequer. Other titles he also held included Master of the Great Wardrobe, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Postmaster General and Baron le Despencer.
Dashwood was one of the founders of the Dilettante Society in 1734 and its first leader. This was a group of Noblemen who appreciated, studied and sponsored the recreation of ancient Green and Roman art. In 1746, or shortly afterwards, Dashwood formed a secret male society called the “Order of the Friars of St Francis at Wycombe” (also known as the Hellfire Club). It consisted of many leading politicians, royalty, writers, artists and other wealthy men of the time. They all claimed to be lovers of the classical arts, but behind this were also a love for the immoral, strange rituals, lots of alcohol and ridicule for religion. Their motto was in Latin and translated to “Do as You Please”. Members included the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Queensbury, Sir John Stuart (later Prime Minister), the Earl of Sandwich, William Hogarth, John Wilkes, George Selwyn, Robert Lloyd and Charles Churchill. American, Benjamin Franklin is also supposed to have attended as a guest. Some of the original meetings were held at West Wycombe House. However, as this was the family home Dashwood soon acquired Medmenham Abbey just 6 miles away on the Thames near Marlow. Through great expense he refurbished the old abbey to form a base where he and his wealthy friends could act out their desired rituals. Dashwood as leader of the sect was referred to as the Abbott, other members were known as monks, and the prostitutes or any high class ladies who were willing to partake were called nuns.
As a member of the government one of Francis’ main objectives was to improve the road structure. He had the caves at West Wycombe extended, originally to provide work for the villagers after three unfruitful harvests and to excavate chalk for the building of the new road from High Wycombe to West Wycombe, but eventually also extended much greater to be used as a place for the club’s meetings.
On West Wycombe Hill, above the caves, Dashwood remodeled the old Norman Church of St Lawrence. The interior emulates an Egyptian temple with Corinthian columns, marble floor and highly decorated ceilings and walls. He reconstructed the tower and above it added a gilded hollow ball with an entry, seating for six and viewing holes so he and a few selected friends could meet and enjoy themselves in private. The church and its grounds are within the confines of an Iron-Age Fort with the embankment still very visible. He also built an impressive hexagonal, open top mausoleum next to the church to house the urns which contain the ashes of the family.
During his years at West Wycombe, Dashwood had the house and park redesigned in an Italianate and neo-classical fashion. Many architects were consulted and employed including Robert Adam, Nicholas Revett and John Donowell.
Although a person who seemed to enjoy life to the full, Dashwood did leave a legacy at West Wycombe most of which we can still see today. In later life he dedicated himself to charity work, but will always be remembered more for his rituals as founder and leader of the notorious Hellfire Club. He died in 1781.
On the right, a short distance along the road is the main entrance to West Wycombe Park and House. The house did pass through generations of Dashwoods but was given to the National Trust in 1934 by Sir John Dashwood (10th Baronet) as it was proving too expensive to maintain. Although the structure is owned by the National Trust, the house is home to Sir Edward Dashwood (12th Baronet) and his family, who still own the contents. The house as it exists today is very much as Sir Francis redesigned it in the early 18th century, is Grade 1 listed and considered to be one of best examples of Palladium architecture in Europe.
The grounds were also mainly laid out in the mid 18th Century by Thomas Cook, a pupil of Capability Brown. Twenty years after Francis’ death landscape gardener Humphry Repton was employed to make minor improvements. The gardens are considered to be one of 18th Century’s best landscaped parks in the UK. There is a man-made lake in the shape of a swan, formed by damming the River Wye. Many temples, follies and statues with sexual innuendos add to the scenery. During the last weekend in June the park hosts the two day West Wycombe Music Festival.
The current Dashwood Family run the estate as a business for filming, private events and corporate functions. Recent films made here include: “The Importance of Being Ernest” starring Colin Firth & Judy Dench, and “White Hunter Black Heart”, staring and directed by Clint Eastwood. TV programmes have included Dr Who, Midsummer Murders and Top Gear.
Opposite the entrance to West Wycombe Park the Chorley Road goes north-west with West Wycombe Hill branching off north east and uphill to the entrance of the Hell-Fire Caves and eventually leading to the Church of St Lawrence and the mausoleum at the top of the hill. The caves have a café and gift shop, are owned by the estate and open to the public from April to October. From November to March they are open at weekends and during school holidays.
The A40 narrows as it goes directly through the village along the High Street. This is the old main road from London to Oxford and extends in total for 256 miles to Fishguard in south west Wales. The village provided homes for the estate workers and was an important stopping off point during the coaching period. There were numerous coaching inns along the High Street and many of the carriageways on buildings are still visible. A map dated 1767 shows seventeen public houses in the village.
With this passing trade other business grew up in and around the village. From the 18th to the 20th Century one of the main industries was chair making. This started as a cottage industry, with turning or “bodging” occurring in the surrounding beech woodlands, assembly and polishing took place in the village. By 1900 small factories in the village were employing hundreds of men. Women were employed for caning and rushwork. Today both these industries are still visible here, but on a much smaller scale. One current furniture maker is Browns of West Wycombe.
The village was acquired by the Royal Society for the Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce from the Dashwood Family in 1929. At this time many of the buildings were in bad repair and the village was up for sale in 60 lots. They Society carried out much restoration work over the next few years and in 1934 they handed ownership over to the National Trust. The buildings date from the 15th to the 19th Centuries and thanks to the Trust, are superbly maintained. It’s such a shame a village this unique does not seem have a guide to stories about every building like so many other old villages (Laleham on stage one is a great example). However, Wycombe Council have produced a document entitled “Conservation Area Character Survey WEST WYCOMBE” which gives an in depth write-up of the local history, layout, geography and industry, including some very good photos. A word of warning, there are two blank pages in the middle of the document.
The High Street still has three pubs the Old Plough, the Swan Inn and the George and Dragon. The latter dates from the 18th Century and is an inn which holds stories and is still a place to get a bed for the night. It is said to be haunted by a few ghosts, but the most famous story is of a local girl called Susan (or to her friends, better known as Sukie). She was a barmaid who worked in the inn during the 18th Century and had the attention of many of the local young men of the time. However, she had great expectations hoping to meet a wealthy man who would take her away and give her a lavish lifestyle. One well attired man in particular came to her attention and with often visits to the inn gave her a lot of time, and she made obvious her interest. Three local lads feeling a bit aggrieved by this sent her a note, pretending to come from the wealthy gentleman. It asked her to meet him in the caves. Happy with this Sukie packed her bags and as instructed dressed in white, hoping to be taken away to be wed and a better life. On reaching the caves it soon became apparent that she had been tricked and things all went wrong. When she found out she got very angry and either through tripping over, or in a rage, or being hit accidentally by a stone, took a fierce accidental blow to the head. She was taking back to the inn but died soon afterwards from the injury. There have been many reports since then about seeing the image of a young lady in white sometimes with a bandage and blood on her head by staff and visitors to the George and Dragon. Some sources refer to an old tunnel which runs from the inn to the caves and some claim that the caves are also haunted. On YouTube you can watch a programme on the caves from Living TV’s Most Haunted team.
The oldest surviving building in the High Street is “the Church Loft”. This is 15th Century timber framed and was a rest house for pilgrims. The overhanging first floor is one large room and was where the pilgrims slept. The clock is original and was added in 1668. On its left hand side is an open carriageway which leads to Church Lane and contains the village lock-up and whipping post. Next door is anther overhanging building dating from the early 1600s. It was once the Coach & Horses public house and is now Paul’s Traditional Sweet Shop, claiming to have one of the largest selections of confectionary in the UK and still sold from jars. Neither of these two buildings have foundations.
Continue along the A40 westwards and out of the village to Pedestal Roundabout, named after the pedestal erected here on the north side of the A40 to commemorate the construction of Sir Francis’ new road from High Wycombe.
Peter Goodearl’s website has some excellent photos of the West Wycombe Village and Park. For more information on the area see the British History Online website which gives a detailed history of the Parish of West Wycombe. To see a list of films and TV programmes made at West Wycombe see “The Internet Movie Database”.
Turn left onto the Bradenham Road (A4010) and then right to cross over and down the side of the garage into Cookshall Lane. The lane soon passes under a railway bridge – at 8 miles into the stage. After another 100 yards, as the lane veers left, take the bridleway on the right – it’s almost straight on at this point. This follows what seems to be an old enclosed and sunken track uphill.
The rolling scenery of the Chilterns sometimes looks unnaturally smooth, and on climbing them out of the village you will see what I mean. Look back across the railway to the mausoleum and church on the hill; look right to see isolated fields roll from both sides of the valley and look at the path in front to see the climb to come.
After about a third of a mile, at a Y-junction of paths, take the one to the right. The climb gets noticeably steeper with banks still on both sides. As the path opens out stay straight on keeping the trees to the left. At the top turn left and follow the narrow path with garden fences on the right. The path leads to a residential road by the entrance to Downley School. Turn left past the entrance and onto a path directly opposite. Note: There are two paths next to each other, take the one on the right.
The path comes out onto Plomer Green Lane in the middle of Downley Village. Here turn left and downhill. At the bottom turn right into Moor Lane. Follow the lane for 150 yards to where it opens out at Downley Common – now at 9 miles into the stage. As the lane turns left (to the Sunnybank Methodist church) go straight on along a narrow gravel track and into the woods. This leads past a tastefully restored red-brick house and then changes to a path. Continue straight on and downhill until a junction of paths in the middle of the woods. There is a choice of three – follow the middle path, signed Hughenden Valley. This continues gradually downhill and exits the wood straight through a kissing gate onto a fenced off path between fields.
The fenced off path feels lonely and cut off from the outside world; the sheep in the fields will usually approach you to voice their dissatisfaction and make you feel like an unwelcomed visitor.
At the bottom the sheep are left behind and the path enters a wood. Follow the main path as it turns left and climbs steeply through the wood to Hughenden Manor. On reaching the top go straight on following the road between the walls and past the Manor.
Hughenden Manor is a gothic Georgian mansion and was the country home of Benjamin Disraeli (1804 – 1881). The manor however dates much further back as it is mentioned in the Doomsday Book as Hutchenden. It has also been called Hitchenden, from Celtic meaning “dried up stream”.
D’Israeli was born in 1804 into a wealthy Jewish family in London. During part of his childhood the family home was Bradenham House, just a few miles from Hughenden. His father Isaac had many disputes with his Synagogue, and as a result had all the children baptised into the Church of England and the apostrophe in the name was dropped. This was to prove advantageous in later life as it allowed Disraeli to enter Parliament at a time when Jews could not. In 1839 he married Mary Anne Lewis, twelve years his senior and widow of colleague Wyndham Lewis. His stature in Parliament gradually increased and in 1848, with help of a loan of £35,000 bought Hughenden Manor. This was to be their country home for the rest of their lives. In 1862 they employed architect Edward Buckton Lamb (aka E B Lamb) to remodel the house, the result being the gothic features we see today. The colourful formal gardens were created by Mary Anne Disraeli. She is also responsible for the obelisk on the adjacent hill, as a memorial to her father-in-law, Isaac. The couple planted a German Forest in the grounds, inspired by the Black Forest of South Germany.
Disraeli was educated at Winchester College and then entered the legal profession. He didn’t enjoy the job and soon withdrew. He became a successful novelist and took an interest in politics. In 1873 he became Conservative MP for Maidstone. However, during this era, to rise to party leader, it was accepted that MPs should have a stable family and be Lord of their Manor. The marriage to Mary Anne and the purchase of Hughenden Manor put these two things in place. He served three terms as Chancellor of the Exchequer and then two as Prime Minister. The first was from 27th February 1868 to 1st December 1868 and the second from 20th September 1874 to 21st April 1880. He was said to be Queen Victoria’s favourite Prime Minister. One story tells of a visit by the Queen to Hughenden Manor, where Disraeli had a chair especially lowered so the Queen would not have the embarrassment of sitting at dinner with her legs swinging and feet not touching the floor.
Mary Anne Disraeli was made a peeress in her own right, and given the title of 1st Viscountess Beaconsfield by Queen Victoria. She was said to have a great whit and died on 15th December 1872 at the age of 80, although it’s not sure whether her husband knew her age. She is buried at the Church of St Michael’s & All Angels in the grounds of Hughenden Manor.
Disraeli entered the House of Lords as the Earl of Beaconsfield (and Viscount Hughenden) in 1876. In April 1880 Disraeli’s Conservative government were defeated by the Liberals, led by Gladstone. However, in his time as prime Minister he had done more for working class people than many who had gone before him. He soon became ill and died on 19th April the following year. The nation wanted to bury him at Westminster Abbey, but respected his wishes and laid him to rest in the vault next to his wife in the little church at Hughenden. The church contains a memorial to Disraeli by Queen Victoria and it is claimed to be the only time a reigning monarch has done so for a subject.
After his death the manor passed onto his younger brother Ralph and subsequently on his death in 1898 to his son Coningsby Ralph Disraeli (died 1936). Coningsby added a new wing and modernized much of the rest.
It was known that during World War II the manor was used as a base by the Air Ministry, but what exactly went on there remained a mystery until recently. From an appeal by the current owners the National Trust to local people who had memories of the time, it is now known the place contained around 100 intelligence personnel and was codenamed “Hillside”. It was used to draw up the maps used for almost all of the bombing missions of the war including the “Dam Busters” raids and a planned hit on Hitler’s secret bunker at Berchtesgaden.
In 1949 Hughenden Manor was passed over to the National Trust who restored the colourful gardens and much of the house to as it was in Disraeli’s time. Today the house and gardens are open to the public and are full of books, paintings, furniture and memorabilia to the couple.
In the little churchyard, below the house, you can see Disraeli’s grave. On a warm summer's day it is a beautiful spot to stop and picnic, look at the views and watch the cattle cool themselves down in the river.
Follow the road straight on and then downhill towards the church. Immediately after passing the church turn left onto a path across the grass to a metal gate. Go through the gate and follow a footpath along the bottom of the field and parallel to the Hughenden Stream and into a second field. Church Farm is passed to the right and the path enters a third field. Continue along the bottom of the third field and into a fourth. Stay straight on avoiding the path to the right leading to the main road. Soon to the right is an isolated old tree in the middle of the field. Stay on past this to the opposite end of the field where path becomes enclosed with gardens on the right and soon a school on the left. Within a short distance the path descends some steps and comes out onto Valley Road. Turn left crossing over a.s.a.p. to turn right into Boss Lane just after the roundabout – now at 11 miles into the stage.
For convenience and speed it is possible to achieve the same as above by following the road straight past the church, over the stream and out of the main gate. Then turn left along the pavement to the village of Hughenden Valley. However, this alternative route is much less scenic than the route along the stream.
The Hughenden Stream is a Chiltern chalk streams. The chalk acts like a sponge and can soak up water. During wet periods the water table within the chalk rises and the head of the stream moves up the valley. However, during periods of drought the water table lowers and remains under ground level until further down the valley, thus moving the head of the river further down the valley. This can mean dried up river beds for much of the year. These chalk streams have quite a unique wildlife associated with them.
Follow Boss Lane as it first turns left past some houses and then veers right and left and begins to climb.
There are good views across the fields to the left. Boss Lane House is soon passed to the right. It dates from the 17th Century and is reputed to have been used by Churchill for cabinet meetings during the Second World War. It was once home to Brigadier General Sir Harold Hartley (1878 – 1972), a chemical engineer, who was a director of The Times; first chairman of British Airways, and a friend of Winston Churchill. The Hartley Silver Medal is named after him and is awarded to outstanding scientists. The house next door is also of note and has a beautifully decorated old wooden shed (once possibly a gypsy caravan) in its gardens,
Immediately past the two houses the lane turns right and continues to climb. After 100 yards a driveway to the left leads to a large house and on the right is a farmhouse. Continue straight on along the enclosed footpath between them. The path steepens and climbs for half a mile. At the top go straight on along a lane past Piper's Corner School. 400 yards past the school’s main entrance and just before the lane bends around to the right, turn left onto a narrow enclosed path with fields to the left and garden fences to the right. On reaching a residential road (New Road) turn right.
The stage finishes at the other end of New Road next to Great Kingshill Village Hall.
Copywrite @ Sean. Davis, 2009. All rights reserved
