Taking the path alongside the church, you are soon deep in the peace and tranquillity of the countryside, following a section of the popular Elham Valley Way.
The route gently climbs through open fields with stunning views across the valley. Church spires, villages and a patchwork of fields stretch as far as the eye can see.
The well-marked path winds through well-maintained pasture and chalk grassland, teeming with wildlife, before gradually descending back towards the village.
Elham can trace its roots back to Saxon times and was granted a market in the 13th century, when it was known for the quality of its leather and hides. The market, and a horse fair, continued into the 19th century.
Other village trades have included brick making, iron smelting, rope making and brewing.
The film star, Audrey Hepburn spent three years of her childhood in Elham and lived in a cottage in Duck Street in the 1930s.
Other celebrity residents have included the British statesman and prime minister Sir Anthony Eden and the actress Katie Johnson, as well as the Kent and England cricketers Leslie Ames and Mark Ealham.
Step by step guide
From Elham Square, walk down Duck Street past church until you reach a signposted footpath on the left. Walk down the steps into the field and continue ahead, keeping to the path running along the field edge. Cross over stile in the hedge just after path bends around to the right.
Cross stile into lane and turn right, follow the road for a few meters, taking path between houses on the left.
Go through gate and continue ahead through field. Cross over stile at fence and follow path through gap. Continuing ahead, follow arrows away from the field edge towards a gate.
Cross over stile and continue uphill keeping to left boundary edge until you reach a post with an arrow marked. Turn right and climb up a steep hill/bank. On reaching the top of the bank you can admire fantastic views of the valley.
Aim for left hand corner of the field and go over stile. Cross field to road.
Turn right and walk along road until you reach a signposted footpath on the left. Cross stile and head across field to another stile in corner. Cross and continue through another field until you reach a stile at the road.
Turning left, walk a few metres down the road taking the signposted footpath on the right across a field.
Go through gate into field keeping to the left boundary and passing a pond on the right. Bear left into driveway and turn right heading towards a gate at road.
Go through gate and turn right to walk down road. Go through another gate on right to follow path across field under power lines until you reach a stile at the boundary with a road.
Cross stiles and road to pick up another path on the other side. Follow path to cross over another stile at a road.
Cross over stile into a field and follow boundary on the right (maybe slightly overgrown in summer). When you reach the corner of the fence line on the right, keep following the path ahead, across field to stile. There are good views of Elham from here.
Cross over stile to follow downhill, keeping to the fence line on the right. Follow waymarked path to join up with the one you started on and retrace your steps back to where you started.
