Westerham walk – wonderfully wild woodland

This walk leads uphill to dramatic views over rolling hills, historic houses and farms. The semi mature-woodland is carpeted with bluebells in spring, rhododendrons in summer and is awash with vibrant colours in autumn.

Beech, yew, maple, birch and chestnut all make up the woodland along the walk. Peering through the trees you’ll find the 17th century manor house sat in Squerryes Park and even signs of an Iron Age hillfort.

The well-tended grounds of Chartwell can be seen along this peaceful walk. Sir Winston Churchill was so attached to his home here that he said: “I love the place – a day away from Chartwell is a day wasted.”

The house and gardens of Chartwell exude the spirit, tastes and interests of their illustrious former owners, Sir Winston and Lady Churchill. The gardens include a grass terrace with fine views, an enormous fish pond and a walled garden which has recently been restored.  The ornamental design of the garden reflects the taste of Lady Churchill, nowhere more so than the rose garden which she created herself, bordered by high walls famously built by Sir Winston who was a keen brick-layer.  Filled with a mixture of soft pink and white floribundas and hybrid tea roses from June to October, this was Lady Churchill’s favourite part of the garden. The Golden Rose Walk, planted with 32 varieties of yellow roses, was an enduring golden wedding anniversary gift to Sir Winston and Lady Clementine from their children in 1958. Restoration work carried out last winter returned the Golden Rose Avenue to its former glory for 2016.

The Chartwell estate can be explored further by taking the National Trust Weardale circular walk which links Chartwell to the beautiful Emmetts Garden.