Wye Crown and Crundale Constitutional

After making our way through the handsome village of Wye, we’ll join the North Downs Way and the first, and most challenging, climb of the day. At the summit our efforts will be rewarded by far-reaching views from the Wye Crown. The memorial was created to mark the coronation of Edward VII in 1902, and made by cutting away turf to reveal the underlying chalk.

We’ll follow this elevated section of the North Downs Way across the Wye Downs, to Wye National Nature Reserve and to the top of the Devil’s Kneading Trough, a dramatic flat-bottomed valley, and a good example of a coombe. From here, on a clear day, it is possible to see towards Dungeness across the Romney Marshes, and the Channel beyond – albeit as a strand of silver on the horizon.

Turning away from the escarpment across farmland, we’ll make our way to the Crundale Downs along an elevated byway through densely coppiced woodland to our lunch stop at St Mary’s church. There are several benches here and an agreeable view over the downs and the village of Crundale. This area is part of the larger Kent Downs, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty.

After lunch the route is much flatter, across farmland, but still with some pleasant, wide open views. This is a very peaceful route, and there is little if any road noise after leaving Wye.

The Tickled Trout pub is very close to the station in which we can reward our efforts at the end of the walk.

All photos by event leader, except for: 

Wye Crown by O1ive is licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0