Aylesford to Lenham

Day 12 – Distance walked 16 miles

We enjoyed perfect walking weather- temperatures in the low 60s & no rain.

We walked many miles through vineyards & could see even more vineyards in the surrounding countryside. England is now starting to produce many sparkling wines. Keep your eye out for North Downs Kent wine.

Early in the walk through a forest, our guidebook told us to look for a pilgrim carved from a tree stump that was off the trail. We spent a good 10 minutes looking for it because it was very well hidden in the forest; but, my eagle eye husband found it.

With it being the weekend, families with horses were enjoying the good weather.

Once again, we walked several miles down narrow country roads, often following the original Pilgrims Way.

Crossing fields with livestock & crops is also the norm. But, one sign told us to watch out for adders!

The path also took us by historic old inns & taverns dating back centuries. In Hollingbourne, a place called The Dirty Habit pub was started in the 13th Century. It was once known as The Pilgrims Rest. Its present name derives from the clothes monks wore as they worked the monastery’s farmlands & vineyards.

Sometimes the path is wide, but at other times, we walk a narrow path between two fences.

As usual, we were on the look out for old Norman churches. Today we saw four. Even though it was Sunday, only the first church was open. Another had its entryway open with its stamp available so we could record it in our pilgrim passports.

Church #1 – St Mary and All Saints in Boxley It has a carved head showing Edward II who stayed at the nearby abbey. He is probably best known as the English king who was defeated by Robert the Bruce in 1307 in Scotland’s First War of Independence.

Church #2 – Saint Martin’s Church in Detling This church dates from the 12th Century. Inside it has one of the earliest wooden lecterns in England.

Church #3 – St Mary the Virgin Church in Thurnham This church dates from the 12th Century; but, there is evidence an earlier church stood on this ground. For much of its history, it was the private chapel for a wealthy family,

Church #4 – St John the Baptist at Harrietsham This church’s construction dates from the late 11th Century to the early 12th Century.

It was a long day & I was happy to see Lenham in the distance. It amazes me there are so many public walking paths through fields & I am very glad they do.

Our cute hotel for the evening The Dog and Bear was built in 1602. Queen Anne stayed here in 1704 & her coat of arms hang above the front door. Queen Anne was the last Stuart monarch to rule Britain. She had 17 children; but, outlived them all, thus, she had no direct heir to assume the throne. Her second cousin George I from Hannover, Germany, was named monarch by the Parliament in 1714. His ascension started the Hanoverian line which provided Britain with six ruling monarchs which ended when Queen Victoria died in 1901. Their crown passed to the House of Saxe-Coburg-Warta which is now known as the Windsor royal family who rules today with Charles III as sovereign.