What's Included
The itinerary takes in several moderate walks along roads and lanes totalling just over five miles in the course of a full day. It is suitable for anyone of average fitness but can also be driven. The itinerary includes visits to:- Ightham Village, a tiny, peaceful and picturesque place with some dark secrets.
- Oldbury Hill Once the site of an Iron Age Fort, this is now an ancient woodland protected by the National Trust. At the summit of the hill, a defensive earthwork, nearly two miles long, is almost hidden by the woodlands. Caves and shallow rock shelters in the ridge were probably used by early Stone Age man. In the 18th and 19th centuries they provided hideouts for smugglers.
- Lunch at The George & Dragon in Ightham This lovely old country pub has a very good, reasonably priced dining room. Remember to make a reservation (see the pub review for details). Lunch is served from noon.
- An afternoon visit to Ightham Mote a fortified and moated medieval manor house considered to be the most complete surviving example in England.
Itinerary Part 1 - Borough Green & Wrotham Rail Station to Ightham
Reach Borough Green & Wrotham Station by train from Victoria Station in London. See National Rail Enquiries to plan this 40 minute train trip.Turn right at the end of the Station Approach Road onto the A227 Wrotham Road and cross the railroad tracks. Turn right on the A25. Continue straight across the roundabout onto the A227 Borough Green Road. This becomes The Street when it enters Ightham. There is a pub and a memorial cross in the village center.
Distance: 1.25 miles. Alternative: The 308 bus from the train station stops at the memorial cross in Ightham Center. See on a Map
Explore the village, making sure to note The Town House - possible meeting place of the Gunpowder Plotters. In the village church, look for the memorial to Dorothy Selby, chatelaine of nearby Ightham Mote, famous needlewoman and wrongly accused, in legend, of giving away the Gunpowder plot.
Itinerary Part 2 - Ightham Center to Oldbury Hill
From the front of the church, turn left and proceed about 500 feet to Sevenoaks Road, which forks off to the right. Cross the A25 onto Oldbury Lane and continue to the end. A National Trust information panel and map marks the site. Leave the road and explore Oldbury Hill and wood. Then return the same way for lunch at The George & Dragon.Distance: 1.4 miles round trip. Alternative: There is a small National Trust Parking Lot and a picnic area for drivers See on a Map
Itinerary Part 3 - The George & Dragon to Ightham Mote
On leaving the pub, turn right and proceed about 2000 feet up The Street to Ismays Road which forks off to the right. At Ivy Hatch, Ismays Road crosses High Cross Road and becomes Mote Road. Continue straight ahead on Mote Road for about half a mile to Ightham Mote entrance.Distance: About 2.5 miles. .Alternative: By car, turn right from the pub and stay on the A227, Tonbridge Road, to the fifth right, High Cross Road, marked "Ivy Hatch". Turn right on High Cross Road and left on Mote Road. Continue on Mote Road to Ightham Mote. There is a National Trust parking lot at the site. See on a Map.
Itinerary Part 4 - Ightham Mote to Borough Green & Wrotham Rail Station
To Walk: Hearty walkers may still have the energy, after touring Ightham Mote - and perhaps stopping for a tea in the Mote Restaurant - to return to the station the same way they came. The journey on foot is about three and three quarters miles. Of course, you can stop on the way back in Ightham Village for a drink and bar snack at the village's other historic pub, The 17th century Ye Old Chequers Inn Pub and Restaurant, The Street, Ightham.By Taxi: Taxis based at Borough Green & Wrotham Rail Station will pick you up at Ightham Mote for the return journey to the station. The fare is £9 for an ordinary passenger taxi, somewhat more for groups that require a larger vehicle. Telephone: Borough Green Taxi Service 01732 882020.
