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The view of Ide Hill from Toys Hill, a natural area owned by the National Trust in Kent
Enjoy the view to Ide Hill from Toys Hill | © National Trust
Kent

Toys Hill and Emmetts Garden circular walk

This 2.5-mile walk takes you along a public footpath through Emmetts Garden to the picturesque village of Ide Hill, where you'll find a seat commemorating the National Trust's founder, Octavia Hill.

Total steps: 11

Total steps: 11

Start point

Toys Hill car park on Chart Lane, grid ref: TQ470517

Step 1

Head out of Toys Hill car park onto the road and cross to the path on the other side. Follow the path, bearing left until you reach a junction of five paths.

Step 2

At the junction of five paths, continue straight ahead on the level, ignoring one path leading up on your left and two to the right. Continue along the wide path until you see a waymark. Turn left along the path and head down the hill, passing through a wooden gate, and on to the next waymark.

Step 3

At the waymark, turn left and continue along the path. At a crossing track, continue straight onto a wide track. Turn right onto the footpath, past the waymark and through the gate. The footpath will take you out next to the Emmetts Garden tea-room.

Step 4

Follow the public footpath to the left of the tea-room and down the wide road, with the north and south gardens on your left and right. As the view opens up over the wildflower meadow, turn right down a private drive and past South Lodge. Continue to a road.

Step 5

Once you reach Ide Hill village, before you reach the roundabout, turn right onto a public footpath. Continue straight.

Step 6

When you reach the road, turn right along it and follow it into Ide Hill village. Take care and watch out for traffic on this small country lane. Head up past the school until just before the village green.

Step 7

If you chose to do the optional detour to Octavia Hill's memorial bench, turn left onto the main public footpath. If not, continue straight out of the woodland, passing between the woodland on your right and a field on the left.

Step 8

Go through a metal kissing gate and continue along the dirt track. Head past a solitary oak tree and through another metal kissing gate. At the end of the dirt track, walk under the power cables and continue up the next field.

Step 9

At the corner of the wood, bear slightly left to a gate and head up to a small footbridge over a stream. Follow the boundary of the wood then turn right, past a seat.

Step 10

When the path forks, take the right-hand path and then go straight over the next crossroads. Continue onwards and you'll reach the five-path junction you crossed at the start of the route.

Step 11

At the five-path junction, take the second exit, ignoring one on your left and two on your right, back towards the road. Cross the road back to Toys Hill car park to finish your walk.

End point

Toys Hill car park on Chart Lane, grid ref: TQ470517

Trail map

A map showing the loop walk starting at Toys Hill carpark and heading through Emmetts Garden and Toys Hill
A map of the circular walk from Toys Hill via Emmetts Garden | © Ordinance Survey

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More near here

Spring sun through the trees at Toys Hill, Kent
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Weardale walk from Emmetts Garden 

This beautiful circular walk links Chartwell and Emmetts Garden; passing through the woodland areas of Toys Hill and Hosey Common, as well as the pretty hamlet of French Street.

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DistanceMiles: 5 (km: 8)

Get in touch

Brasted Chart, Kent, TN16 1QG

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