Originally a hunting lodge belonging to Sir Jeffrey Amherst, commander-in-chief of the British Army in North America when fighting the French for control of what are now Canadian territories. In 1759 he helped General Wolfe capture Quebec and in 1760 he captured Montreal. He was military governor of Canada from 1760 to 1763.
The most impressive Iron-Age camp in England, built 100-50 BC. The ramparts and ditches that enclose the camp can still be clearly seen on the steep sides of the hill. There are waymarked walks around the site of 1 and 3 miles, well worth undertaking before or after tackling the main walk.
The site also possesses some paleolithic rock shelters where 50,000 year old hand axes have been found.
Scientific Interest
Much of the walk is within the SSSI which is
significant for its ancient sessile oak woodland.
In contrast with the chalk Downs to the north, the
wooded ridge along which much of the route passes is a
narrow band of acid greensand with pockets of gault
clay.
Service 308 from Sevenoaks to Gravesend via Borough Green stops on the A25 near the end of Styants Bottom Road (not Sundays).
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