Kent

Octavia Hill Centenary Trail West

Celebrate National Trust founder Octavia Hill by following a trail that charts the important places and history of her life. A social reformer, philanthropist, artist and writer, she helped create the National Trust in 1895. Head to Crockham Hill village and the church where Octavia is buried, up to Mariners Hill and to Chartwell, former home of Winston Churchill, to follow in her footsteps.

Near to

Toys Hill

Start point

Toys Hill Car Park on Chart Lane, grid ref: TQ470517

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 6 (km: 9.6)

Duration3 hours 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*There are steep slopes, steps, rough paths in woodland and the trail is partly on a road. For further details, please see section marked Terrain.
**Uneven terrain. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are welcome, but keep on leads when in fields with livestock. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Octavia Hill Centenary Trail East walk

You can also try out the Octavia Hill Centenary Trail East. This is a 4-mile (6.4km) walk that you can do separately, or combined with the West trail, to make up a figure-of-eight walk.

Total stages: 14
Total stages: 14
Start point
Toys Hill Car Park on Chart Lane, grid ref: TQ470517
Stage 1
Park at Toys Hill National Trust Car Park on Chart Lane, leading from the centre of Brasted to Four Elms. In the top left-hand corner of the car park, by the information panel, go up the steps in the direction of the arrow on the Octavia Hill Centenary Trail waymarker disc. Pass a bench and at a crossing track and waymark post turn left, go downhill through a wooden post and fork left to drop down to Puddledock Lane and a grass triangle with a seat. Turn right through the hamlet to reach a low stone wall on the left, with steps leading down to a covered well and a viewpoint with extensive views over the Weald of Kent.
Covered well
This well was originally sunk in 1898 by Octavia Hill for the local villagers. See the stone inscription set into the boundary wall to the east of the well that says ‘This ground dedicated to the enjoyment of those who love nature is given to the National Trust in memory of Frederick Feeney who died on the 26th March 1897 and is buried in the churchyard of Leckhampton near Cheltenham’. The well was restored in 1999 by the National Trust.
Stage 2
Continue on the road past the well and downhill for some distance.
Stage 3
Where the road levels out by several isolated cottages, turn right over a gate just after the last cottage.
Stage 4
With fields on either side continue through two gates until reaching some impressive oast house buildings. Maintain this direction on the drive until eventually reaching a road. Turn left and very shortly you will come to a cottage and old postbox on the right.
Stage 5
Go through the swing gate to the left of the entrance by a stone footpath marker. You are now on the private drive of Mariners, so please keep to the footpath. Continue on through a gate into the hamlet of Froghole. Take the first turning on the left at a footpath sign.
Stage 6
Ignore a right turn but keep straight ahead on a small footpath and down some steps. Emerging at a cottage and junction of paths, turn right onto a small lane leading to the village of Crockham Hill with its village garden, pub and church. Turn right on the main road, noting the plaque to Octavia Hill on the village sign. Very soon turn right again to Holy Trinity Church.
Crockham Church
Octavia Hill lived at Crockham Hill and due to her efforts much of the land around here was acquired for the National Trust. She chose to be buried in Holy Trinity Church in preference to Westminster Abbey and her grave can be seen under the yew tree near the porch. Inside the church is a stone memorial to her life, as well as the Octavia Hill memorial window, illustrating the worst of urban life in contrast to country life, the benefits of which Octavia wanted for everyone.
Stage 7
Leaving the church just as the lane bears right to pass the school, turn a sharp left to a kissing gate and past several benches. Go through a metal gate on the other side and maintain this direction across a field heading towards the hamlet of Froghole in the distance.
Stage 8
In the far corner of the field go through a kissing gate and cross a stream. Continue up the next field to a stile. Beyond an enclosed path take the steps leading up to Froghole. Turn left onto the lane and on reaching gates at the end just before a main road, turn right up the steps.
Stage 9
At the top of the steps turn right to follow the contour of Mariners Hill to a memorial seat with a spectacular view.
Stage 10
Continue on the path across two metal gates and past a commemorative obelisk for land given to the National Trust. A little further on is another seat, dedicated to one of Octavia's five sisters, Harriot York. Maintain this direction until a crossing track. Turn left at the crossing track, pass a waymarker and follow the path down some steps.
Stage 11
Enter woodland and almost immediately turn right. Continue downhill to a wooden post on the left and turn left onto a clear footpath. Following the contour of the hill for some distance the path finally bears right downhill to Chartwell.
Stage 12
Cross the road to a small enclosed footpath to the left of Chartwell entrance gate. At the top of the hill cross a lane to a wide footpath opposite. Maintain this direction for some distance, ignoring any turnings to the left, until coming out to French Street hamlet.
Stage 13
Turn right onto the lane and shortly take the left fork to Highview. Continue on this lane past French Street Farm and between hedging to another fork. Turn left to Highview Cottage and enter the woodland of Toys Hill.
Stage 14
Stay on this wide track, ignoring any side turnings, until reaching the site of Weardale Manor. Continue straight ahead and shortly turn left. At a waymark post, fork right to return to the car park. If you wish to continue walking there is another walk – Octavia Hill trail east – that is 4 miles and will take you in a full figure of eight.
End point
Toys Hill Car Park on Chart Lane, grid ref: TQ470517
Trail map
Octavia Hill Centenary Trail West map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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