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![\"map](\"https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/map_001.jpg\")
Distance: 3.9 Miles (1h 45 mins)
\nOS Map: Explorer 147 (Start at grid reference TQ446597)
\nPark in free car park at Cudham recreation ground (on left, just past Blacksmith’s Arms, when approaching from Green Street Green). Closing times vary from as early as 4.30pm in winter to 9.00pm in summer.
\nLeave car park on tarred path past tennis court and toilets. On reaching churchyard, bear right along edge of recreation ground and go through metal kissing gate. Bear right across drive of Rectory House and through another kissing gate. Follow right hand edge of field to third kissing gate. Cross next field and take path between trees.
\nOn reaching Mace Lane turn left and soon take footpath on right. Cross field to gap in hedge. Through gap, turn left to follow left hand edge of field edge then between fences emerging onto Cudham Lane. Turn left, walking on right side of road, and soon come to drive for The Shaws (first on right). Go down drive and when it turns right take footpath straight ahead. When path bears left, take right turn between posts onto path fenced initially on right and after some steps on both sides. Follow to bottom of valley and up other side through Downe Bank Nature Reserve. On reaching drive, turn uphill to Cudham Road.
\nTurn right and very shortly take path on left that runs parallel to road. Follow this path, crossing a track about half way along, until it emerges onto the road. Immediately beyond gateway on left with brick pillars, take path on left. Christmas Tree Farm is on right – this is open to visitors every day from 10am or earlier. At corner of farm turn right then left along two sides of field to far corner. Go through hedge into another field and again follow two sides to opposite corner. Down House can be seen on right.
\nAt far corner of field, go through gate and follow yellow waymarks and signs Downe Court. Turn left along field edge. At corner of field, turn right along next field edge. Half way along, take path on left. Follow edge of field, enter wood and follow path descending gradually to Cudham Road.
\nTurn right past a couple of houses and note the white “Coal Post” on the right just before stile. Climb stile and take permissive footpath along right hand edge of field alongside wood. At stile into wood on right, turn left downhill along path emerging the wood. Continue to valley bottom and climb other side, through kissing gate and emerge onto Church Hill close to Cudham village.
\nCross road to permissive bridleway; follow this initially to right, bear left at junction, follow round to pass Blacksmith’s Arms and join Newbarn Lane. Turn uphill back to car park. (The bridleway can be muddy after rain; to avoid simply turn left up Church Hill, cross Cudham Lane, go up past church to recreation ground and turn right to car park.)
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\n![\"\"](\"https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/P001a.gif\")
Home to nine species of wild orchid, this spot was \n\t\t\t\t\t\tcalled Orchis Bank by Charles Darwin who wrote a major \n\t\t\t\t\t\tbook on the astonishing variety of ways in which\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdifferent orchids exploit insects to ensure \n\t\t\t\t\t\tpollination. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Bank may also be the inspiration for the \n\t\t\t\t\t\treference in \n\t\t\t\t\t\tOrigin of Species to 'an entangled bank, clothed \n\t\t\t\t\t\twith plants of many kinds, with birds singing on the \n\t\t\t\t\t\tbushes, with various insects flitting about and with \n\t\t\t\t\t\tworms crawling''.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/P001a.jpg\")
Home of Charles Darwin from \n\t\t\t\t\t\t1842 to his death in 1882. He wrote On the Origin of \n\t\t\t\t\t\tSpecies here. The house is run by English Heritage and \n\t\t\t\t\t\tis well worth a visit, despite the cost of '14.50 per \n\t\t\t\t\t\tadult (booked in advance). The audio tour is \n\t\t\t\t\t\tparticularly interesting.\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNormally open from Wednesday \n\t\t\t\t\t\tto Sunday, from 10am until 3pm; weekends only in winter. \n\t\t\t\t\t\tThere is a tea-room. Check latest visitor information at\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\twww.englishheritage.org.uk.
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