Chilham Loop – North Downs Way Rail Trail
This five mile trail explores both sides of the Stour Valley, to the north and east of Chilham, past lovely traditional orchards, through the wonderfully named Old Wives Lees and on to the spectacular views and Neolithic heritage of Julliberrie Downs. Chilham is a historic village surrounded by timber and plaster buildings dating back to the fifteenth century, with an ancient castle and church standing at either end of its picturesque square, creating a strong sense of the area’s rich past. Nearby lies Julliberrie’s Grave, a 5,000-year-old long barrow overlooking the Stour Valley, steeped in history, myth, and mystery; believed to be one of Britain’s earliest archaeological sites, it has inspired centuries of curiosity and storytelling.
ROUTE STEPS
- Leave the train station and turn left on to Canterbury Road, towards Chilham. Bear left onto the A28 and continue until reaching the corner of Mill Lane and Bagham Lane.
- Cross the road, and go right along Bagham Lane, bearing left on to Bagham Road, continuing until reaching the Woolpack Hotel. Bear right on to The Street, towards Chilham Village. Come to the square.
- Walk across the village square towards the White Horse pub, noticing Chilham Castle entrance on the left and continuing on to Church Hill. This is the North Downs Way.
- Continue on with the church to the right and reach the bottom of the hill. Come to a main road.
- Taking care, cross the busy main road (A252 Canterbury Road) and walk up the lane directly opposite. Come to a crossroads.
- At the crossroads, go straight on (up Long Hill), following the North Downs Way sign. Walk uphill and come to some large metal gates on the left, soon noticing an orchard to the left.
- Continue along this road into Old Wives Lees. Pass the village hall on the right. Come to a crossroads.
- Turn right, following the North Downs Way sign next to the village sign. Continue along this road until reaching a right-hand turn called Bowerland Lane.
- Turn right down Bowerland Lane and follow the lane as it bears right. Reach two waymarked footpaths by an orchard and take the left hand path.
- Continue on this path, which passes between various hedges and fences. Reach a kissing gate and go through into a field.
- Go straight ahead, along the edge of the field with a shelter belt of trees on the left. Head towards some farm buildings – this is Bowerland Farm.
- The path now skirts the edge of a farmyard. Go through some large metal gates (or cross the stile) and continue onto a narrow lane. Walk straight ahead with Bowerland Oast to the left. Pass through more large metal farm gates here, usually propped open.
- At the junction with Pilgrim’s Lane, go straight ahead and cross the main road (A28 Canterbury Road). This main road is busy, please take care. Go right a short way along the pavement.
- Take the footpath off to the left, walking between two hedges. At the end of the footpath, which is fenced between gardens, reach a small timber gate. Go through the gate onto a road, turn left and go over a level crossing. Take care on the level crossing.
- Continuing on, notice a metal security fence to the right and a gated opening.Continue on the road (Pickleden Lane), going straight ahead.
- Continue slightly uphill, past two sharp bends and a footpath off to the right. Pass the footpath off to the left at a sharp bend, continue uphill. At the top reach a crossroads.
- Turn right onto a byway, between two hedges. (There are lovely views of the Stour Valley here.) Follow this byway for about 1 mile. Reach a right-hand bend. Continue along the byway, reach a left hand bend and a footpath on the right.
- Follow the footpath round the edge of the field (there are good views of the village from the top of the field). The path veers right, out of the field, through a hedge. Reach a waymarked crossroads of paths.
To visit Jullieberrie’s Grave, take a short detour from the route here: Turn left, and follow the path as it bends to the left and emerges into a field. Turn right and walk for a short distance. The long barrow is the long mound with bramble and scrub on it. Having visited the barrow, retrace steps back to the waymarked crossroads of paths.
- From the waymarked crossroads, walk downhill. The River Stour can be seen below to the right. Come to a path, with a large white building on the other side of the river.
- Bear right and follow the path over a bridge over the river. Continue on and cross another bridge over a second river channel. Walk on, coming to a level crossing.
- Taking care, go over the level crossing. Walk past some light industrial buildings and reach the main road (A28 Canterbury Road).
- To visit a café or pub in Chilham , continue on Bagham Lane towards Chilham village. Otherwise, turn right along the A28 and retrace steps back to Chilham Station.
