A Walk to Hartlip – Approx 7km round trip

This Walk to Hartlip is approx a 7km round trip excluding the additional part to the Rose and Crown pub which would add an extra 1km.

There are areas with vegetation and nettles so it would be advisable to wear long trousers for this walk. If it has been raining recently then these might get damp as well.

From the A2 walk along Mierscourt Road past Oastview. Turn into Bramling Way, following the road round to the left past Endeavour Drive and turn into Challenger Close. Does anyone know if these roads were named after Space Shuttles? At the end of Challenger turn right into Beata Gardens and access to the footpath GB12 will be to the right side of the garage for number 19. You can also access this path from Moor Park Close but the route may be more difficult to locate. Take this path which leads to Meresborough Road, turn right into Meresborough road and after a short distance you’ll see the path continues to the side of the next field through a shaded tunnel of trees. Once the wooded area opens out the path reaches a T junction, turn right onto path GB13 and continue for a short distance through a fenced area between the fields. Turn left onto path GB12A which crosses the field diagonally to South Bush Lane. Over the stile cross the lane and continue to follow the path through gate and into the field of Christmas trees. At the opposite end of the field there is another gate that leads into a further field of Christmas trees. Crossing this field diagonally will lead to Spade Lane and the path continues once more on the opposite side of the road through a shaded wooded area to the side of the house. Once past the house walk through this field towards the hedge at the far end where there is a gap that takes you into an orchard of fruit trees.

The path continues diagonally towards Dane Lane where you need to turn right to walk along the lane for around 25 metres and carry straight on through the orchards on the opposite side towards Hartlip Church. The footpath continues to the right side of the church and leads out into The Street. Turn right and walking along you will see Hollow Lane to your left. At this point if you’re feeling in need of refreshments a short walk down Hollow Lane leads to the Rose & Crown pub.

Return back up Hollow Lane or just carry on along The Street if you took your own picnic! A short distance after Hollow Lane you’ll see signs to the village hall, take the road through the hall car park and to the right side of the hall you’ll be walking beside some allotments. At the end of the allotments the path goes diagonally left across the ploughed field towards Place Lane. When you reach Place Lane turn right and follow the road past Dane Lane to your right where Place Lane then becomes Meresborough Lane. Carry on for approx. 1.5km past Yaugher Lane on your left, Spade Lane (past Roman Villas on your left) and then South Bush Lane on your right (with apple boxes piled high in the orchard to your left). When you reach Meresborough Hamlet, the former Bryony School will be ahead of you at the crossroads, you will see a footpath to your right GB13. Take this path through the orchards for some distance and then through a variety of different height vegetation around you. The path turns at a right angle twice and then continues between the fields. At this point you will see path GB12A to your right which you’d taken on the outbound route but carry straight on and the path will turn sharply left towards Meresborough Road. In theory you should have been able to walk straight on path GB13 towards the A2 but on a recent visit this appeared too overgrown to navigate so instead you are now retracing your steps towards Rainham on the same path that you walked towards Hartlip on. Cross Meresborough Road and walk slightly right to join the footpath towards Mierscourt Road. When you get to the point you joined at Beata Gardens you can take the path to your right into Moor Park Close which will take you through to the A2 either by following the road to the right or keeping to the footpath to the left of number 41 by the garages. A short walk along the A2 takes you back to the start and Mierscourt Road.

Walk from Rainham to Hartlip