Hollingbourne to Leeds Castle History Walk

On 26th March 2023, Ben Crozier will be leading a historical walk as part of the Heart of Kent Walking Festival. We will saunter from Hollingbourne to what some people call the most beautiful castle in England, Leeds. An eight mile walk that will take in some of the most picturesque landscape that Kent has to offer with lanes winding through small villages.

Along the way we will learn more about the Medieval experience of people who lived and visited this area all those hundreds of years ago. We will learn stories of Pilgrims stopping off for shelter in the shadow of the downs as they make their way to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. To an unloved Queen of England known as the She Wolf of France laying siege to the castle (and nearly getting an arrow in the eye for her trouble). This walk will not include entry to the castle, but we will get some splendid views of the fortification as we make use of the footpaths that go through the grounds.

We will be meeting at Hollingbourne train station, Eythorne Street Hollingbourne ME17 1TX and heading through Hollingbourne and through the grounds of Leeds Castle and the village that shares the same name.

** Car parking charges are NOT included **

Along the way we will be stopping for a picnic lunch (lunch not included).

The walk will take approximately 4.5 hours (around 8.2 miles/13.13 km), will include a lunch (not included) stop. The cost for this walk is £5pp.

Meeting time – 09:15am ready for a 9:30am prompt start.

Meeting point - Hollingbourne Train Station Eythorne Street Hollingbourne ME17 1TX

Terrain – mixed - there are no particularly steep hill

Distance – 8.2 miles/13.13 km approximately

Walking time – 4.5 hours approximately (with lunch break in the middle)

Walk Type – Circular

Distance – approx. 8.2 miles/13.13 km

Walking time – 4 hours walking

What 3 words – ///lifeguard.surviving.react

Can I bring my dog? - Dogs are very welcome if they are friendly and will go on a lead when required such as entering fields of livestock

If we can ask everyone to bring with them:

A - Suitable footwear (strong shoes or boots preferably walking boots no Flip-flops)

B- A waterproof coat (and waterproof trousers?) in case of rain

C - Drinking water and a lunch

D - Personal medication (please make me aware in confidence of any medical condition you may have that may affect you in the walk no matter how small) E- Suitable walking clothing

There might only be 'natural' toilets along the way (a bush) as well as a toilet at the train station and facilities available at the entrance to Leeds castle.

** IMPORTANT ** PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU HAVE ANY COVID SYMPTOMS • We do take pictures on our walks for promotional and training purposes. If you do not wish to be in included, please let us know on the day. • The walk will follow all current covid regulations.

Cancellation Policy Cancellations made 4 days prior to the event will be given a credit note for a future walk that has to be used within 90 days.