Micro Event: The most Bombed Village and a Feast at a Palace

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Lowland and Hill Walks
Jul 26
2020

4 people attending

2 places left

Your price
£12.50
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Easy Moderate Very Hard
8 mile walk on hilly terrain 313m ascent, there are several stiles which you must climb unassisted.

A brisk walk up Otford Mount, passing a Neolithic bowl tumulus will take us high above the village of Oftord. We'll continue to follow the North Downs Way until we turn north into Great Wood to the hamlet of East Down. After crossing the road we'll follow a ridge route with magnificent views of Round Hill all the way to the former Austin Lodge Golf Club.

We'll then turn south east and have to climb again until reaching the peak at Dunstall Woods after which we drop sharply down to the main road (A225). We'll pass close to Dunstall Priory, sadly out of sight, the Priory is a small mansion of the Rural Palladian style built in 1810.

After carefully crossing both the main road and the railway we'll head for the village of Shoreham. I saw swifts flying fast and low catching insects over a corn field as I approached the church.  A soldier from Shoreham was the first to be executed for desertion in the First World War, while in the Second World War Shoreham earned the title most bombed village in Britain.

Heading south from Shoreham we'll follow a safe path through the Darenth Valley Golf Club until we come out at Otford recreation ground, here we will find the Otford Solar System Monument. The Sun and the first three planets are portrayed by concrete pillars, hidden around the village and much further away the other planets are represented to scale.

As we meet the road at the edge of the village we may notice the aroma of grilling food from the Turkish Restaurant (currently doing a takeaway service). I grabbed a veritable feast in a bag and headed for the nearby Bishop's Palace where I enjoyed the exotic flavours amid the ruins.  The Bishop's Palace was built in Tudor times in the style of Hampton Court.

We'll leave the Palace on a footpath through the churchyard which will take us past an archaeology dig and on to the railway station.

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Micro Events – IMPORTANT, Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

  • Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
  • All are required to practice social distancing – staying 2m (not 1m) apart at all times, including the lunch stop.
  • Please join events within around one hour’s travel from your home, rather than travelling longer distances to get there.
  • Unfortunately, there won’t be any planned pub / café stops en route or at the end, and please don’t share sweets or snacks with others – we’re sorry!
  • Public transport use to the start point is discouraged, as this is a non-essential journey. No car sharing to the start point unfortunately either.
  • Please bring your own hand sanitising gel for your own use throughout the day. Use of face coverings is at your own choice.
  • Each person can only attend one OutdoorLads micro event a week. (Leaders to leave at least three days between events they lead.)
  • On walks, one person to hold open gates and allow everyone to walk through – so minimising surfaces that multiple people touch. 
  • Be aware that opportunities for toilet stops may be minimal if facilities are closed.
  • Please, please cancel at your earliest opportunity if you are unable to attend or are unwell, so that we can allow others to take up these valuable event spaces.
  • Much as it's difficult - no handshakes or hugs!

 

Micro Events Participation Statement

OutdoorLads draws your attention to the fact that travelling and being away from home increases the risk of receiving and transmitting Coronavirus, whilst it is present in the UK. You are likely to choose not to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst there is a risk of Coronavirus transmission. However, should you choose to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst the risk is present, you must be aware of and follow the law and government guidelines, both when travelling to and from events as well as when participating in events.

Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not experts,  do not need to be experts, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as experts, but are amateurs with some experience in the event type and who are happy to impart their knowledge.  Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.

By signing up to and attending an OutdoorLads micro event, you are confirming that you have read, understood and accept the content of this statement.

Please see our website for more information including an FAQ about our micro events.

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Image Credit: Photos are provided by ODL member Richard Peel and OutdoorLads has permission to use them.

 

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