Scenic Green Trail Section 6

This linear stretch of the North Downs follows the escarpment above the Vale of Kent, climbing onto the chalk ridge before easing down to the village of Hollingbourne. The route sets off near The Cock Horse Inn and rises towards the earthwork remains of Thurnham Castle, a medieval site perched on the slope with sweeping views over the Weald.

From the castle the path joins the North Downs Way, threading along the crest past an open viewpoint that takes in Detling Hill and the patchwork of fields below. The trail then dips through woodland and field edges, passing the Charles Goldup Memorial and the quiet copses of Bolton's Wood, Pudding Dane and Ten Acres as it traces the foot of the downs.

The descent brings you into Hollingbourne village, where All Saints church and The Dirty Habit pub mark the end of the walk. With nearly 450 metres of ascent packed into under 10 kilometres, it is a properly hilly outing, but the views and the welcome at the finish make every climb worthwhile.