Etchinghill Bench

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Commissioned in 2018 in celebration of the Kent Downs National Landscape’s 50th anniversary and the North Downs Way National Trail‘s 40th anniversary, this magnificent bench was installed on Ministry of Defence land near the Tolsford Hill Radio mast on the outskirts of Etchinghill.

Measuring 2 metres long and crafted from English Oak from the Kent Downs National Landscape, it is inscribed with a quote from Shakespeare’s Richard II; “This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”

With panoramic views across to Summerhouse Hill with its dry valleys and chalk grassland, the bench invites you to stop, ponder and to gaze across the English Channel; it’s the perfect spot for The Bards’ words.

The bench creation and installation was made possible through working with the Ministry of Defence and The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, and would have not been possible without funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The North Downs Way National Trail.

Cycling tagsWalking tagsNorth Downs Way 14 : Wye to FolkestoneJourney from Wye to Folkestone passing Wye Crown, Devil's Kneading Trough and admire panoramic views across the Channel.Save North Downs Way 14 : Wye to Folkestone to favourites

Walking tagsTolsford Trek walkRefreshments and facilities are available in the park. Explore an exhilarating stretch of commanding coastal countryside on this 7.8 mile (12.5km) walk in the Kent… HytheSave Tolsford Trek walk to favourites

Further information

• Grid reference: TR 16543 38630
• There is parking at Tolsford Hill on the top of Westfield Lane. It is then a short walk (approx. ½ mile) to the bench location