The leafy lanes around Lyminge walking and hiking route

Walk Instructions

Start Point

Set out from the HPB Sibton Park complex, car park far end on the left. Go through gate, turn left follow path uphill along the fence on left to gate. Turn right into Brady Road. Reaching a crossroads use the stile opposite, and descend across the field, seeking an exit stile just beyond the house.

Turn left to walk the full length of Skeete Road, ignoring all opportunities to deviate halfway or thereabouts is a sign “Skeete Farm Cottages only” ignore, eventually arriving at a main road known as Stone Street (Roman Road running between Portus Lemanis (Walk 10) and Canterbury). Several attractive residences are encountered along Skeete Road, a luxuriant lane bedecked with springtime wildflowers and blossom.

Cross straight over the ‘Stone Street’, adjacent is sign “Private no right of Way” (diagonally left) across the field to a high point - Cobb’s Hill. Round the edge of the field if ploughed.

A superb vantage point. Pass between a gap in the trees, swing right and begin the steep descent to a village named Stowting. Cross two stiles in quick succession, then keeping close to the fence on the left, seek a stile in the bottom left hand corner of the field. Cross a road, descend a short, deeply rutted track and turn right along a narrow lane towards the peaceful hamlet of Stowting.

Stowting, concealed in a hollow is an attractive spot. The hamlet contains several well-maintained houses and colourful gardens. The peaceful atmosphere further enhanced by the sylvan setting across the beck. Follow the main road through the village to reach ‘The Tiger Inn’ (closed Monday and Tuesday all day) a hostlery that proudly advertises - Mackeson’s Hythe Ales! Just beyond the pub locate a gate on your right and cross the field (watch the hens!) to a second gate. Keep to the right of a telegraph pole to locate gate three (with the symmetrically shaped Cobb’s Hill away to the right). Then head diagonally right to the final gate and access onto the road. Turn right along the road. (A short distance away a marble headstone marks the scene of a tragic accident in 1996).

Turn left at the junction, to pass the school and the church standing close together on the left. The church - St. Mary the Virgin, dates back to the C13th, but underwent extensive restorations in the 1840s and 1870s. Examples of medieval stained glass is a feature inside. Information sheets are available.

Follow the road beyond ‘The Old Rectory’ and when the road curves left enter a lane (dead-end sign) on the right. A very steep ascent ensues, (This can be very slippery especially after a heavy rainfall) eventually walking alongside Round Down Wood, which displays a carpet of wood anemones in springtime. At the top of the incline merge with the ‘Stone Street’ again, and turn right. After 100m enter a narrow road on the left signposted Woodland and Hemstead. The mast at Tolsford Hill (Walk 4) is sometimes visible in the distance on the right, at this point.

Walk along the road for ¼ mile then turn right at a junction. Follow the narrow lane via the sleepy hamlet of Woodland back to the junction on the outskirts of Lyminge and turn left - signposted Elham. This leads to Yewtree Cross and Sibton Park.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.