Distance 6 miles (9.7km)
Classification Moderate
Duration 3 hours
Begins Toys Hill car park, Chart Lane
OS grid reference TQ470517

Walk in a nutshell
A loosely triangular walk from Toys Hill exploring a particularly undulating patch of Kentish countryside. While mainly paths through woods and fields, the route also finds time to drop in on Chartwell, the village of Crockham Hill, and the appealing hamlet of French Street.

Why it's special
This walk celebrates the life and work of Octavia Hill (1838-1912), a social reformer, philanthropist, artist, writer and, in 1895, co-founder of the National Trust. It makes a pilgrimage to Crockham Hill, where she lived, and its churchyard, where she is buried. Much of the land here was acquired for the National Trust through Octavia's efforts.

Keep your eyes peeled for
Chartwell – Winston Churchill's home from 1924 until his death in 1965. The hillside gardens enjoy some wonderful views over the Weald. Enter the churchyard at Holy Trinity in Crockham Hill to find Octavia Hill's grave. She had the option of being buried in Westminster Abbey but chose this quiet, unassuming spot near her home. Look for the gravestone under the yew tree near the porch. If you go inside the church you'll find a stone memorial celebrating her life. There's also an Octavia Hill window illustrating the worst of urban life, contrasting it with the best of country life, the benefits of which she wished everyone could enjoy. On Mariners Hill take a breather on the seat commemorating the gift of land given to the National Trust in remembrance of Octavia Hill's mother, Caroline Southwood Hill.

Recover afterwards
In the Fox and Hounds pub just north of Toys Hill, and enjoy a menu stuffed with fresh local produce.

If it's tipping down
Duck inside Sir Winston Churchill's former home, Chartwell. It's been kept much as it was during his lifetime and is packed with Churchilliana, as one might expect. Look out for black swans on the lake, too (adult £11.50, child £5.80, family £28.90; 01732 868381; nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell).

How to get there
From Sevenoaks railway station, hop on the 404 bus to Ide Hill – unfortunately, it's a rather limited service so if you can take your own bus along, so much the better. From Ide Hill it's a pleasant mile or so along the Greensand Way to the start.

Step by step

1 From the car park, go up the steps in the direction of the arrow on the Octavia Hill Centenary Trail waymarker. At a waymark post turn left, down through a wooden barrier and fork left to Puddledock Lane. Turn right then down the steps at a low stone wall on the left.

2 Continue on the road past the covered well going downhill. Turn right over a stile after the last cottage.

3 Go through two gates, past some oast houses, until you reach a road. Turn left and shortly you'll come to a cottage and postbox on the right.

4 Go through the gate to the left of the entrance by a stone footpath marker. Go on through a gate into Froghole and take the first left at a footpath sign.

5 Continue on a small path and down some steps. At a cottage, turn right on to a lane. At the main road turn right then right again to Holy Trinity church.

6 Leaving the church just as the lane bears right, turn sharp left to a gate. Go through a metal gate on the other side and across a field to a gate in the far corner. Cross a stream and walk up the next field to a stile. Beyond an enclosed path, take the steps leading up to Froghole. Turn left on to the lane and, on reaching gates at the end, turn right up the steps.

7 At the top of the steps turn right and continue on the path across two stiles and past an obelisk. Follow the path around Mariners Hill.

8 Enter woodland and turn right. Go downhill to a wooden post on the left and turn left. Follow the path round the hill and down to Chartwell.

9 Cross the road to an enclosed path to the left of Chartwell entrance gate. At the top of the hill cross a lane to a wide path and on to French Street hamlet.

10 Turn right on to the lane and take the left fork to Highview. Continue straight then bear left at a fork to Highview Cottage into Toys Hill wood.

11 Stay on this wide track until Weardale Manor. Continue straight ahead then bear left. Retrace your steps back down to Puddlecock Lane and turn left on to Scords Lane. Follow the lane until it reaches an end at a private driveway by a sign for Scords Wood.

12 Bear left on to a path then right on to a small path with a fence on the right. On reaching a wide track turn right and go downhill. At a waymark post fork right, back to the car park.