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Holly Hill & Coldrum Long Barrow

Kent Walk

County/Area - Kent

Author - Mick Gall

Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km    Ascent - 700 feet / 212 metres

Time - 3 hours 10 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Holly Hill & Coldrum Long Barrow
Click image to visit gallery of 9 images.

This circular walk starts and finishes in the car park/picnic area at Holly Hill (grid ref. TQ669629). The route includes woodland, a section of the Pilgrims Way and a visit to the Coldrum Long Barrow, a 5000 year old burial chamber.

From the car park at TQ 670 629 take the steps straight in front and follow the path for 300m to the top of Holly Hill. There is a trig point here and a small picnic area. At 196 m. above sea level, this is one of highest points in Kent. On a clear day the distant Canary Wharf in London can be seen. After enjoying the view follow the path down the opposite side of the hill through Holly Wood until you come to a path junction. Take the left hand path and follow it down to White Horse Road (grid ref. TQ665622).

Cross the road and continue to follow the path through White Horse Wood. The path descends steeply and care needs to be taken as there is a lot of water erosion on parts of this path that makes a deep gully down the middle of it. This path joins the Pilgrims Way/North Downs Way at a path junction (grid ref. TQ 663616). Turn right here and follow the National Trail west. This path descends gradually and gives good views over the Medway Valley and the Weald of Kent. At the cross-roads at grid ref. TQ652612 turn left. It is sign-posted Coldrum Long Barrow.

After approx 500m the long barrow is reached at grid ref. TQ654607. This is a long barrow burial chamber and is believed to have been constructed around 3000BC. It consists of standing stones at the front and laying stones in a semi-circle that made up the side of the barrow. Ribbons and offerings are tied to the branches of some of the trees.

Leave the stones and continue along the path to another junction at grid ref. TQ654605. Take the left-hand path through Ryarsh Wood. Follow the path until you come to a tarmac road (grid ref. TQ664603). Turn left along the road.

Follow the road until you come to Park Farm (grid ref. TQ664611). There are three paths here, take the middle one, which is easy to spot. This path is tree lined and gently goes uphill to the Pilgrims Way/North Downs Way at TQ 665616. Turn left and continue back to the path junction passed earlier at grid ref. TQ663616. Turn right and follow the path back the way you came to the car park. This path is steep and can be quite tricky in places especially after rain.

Other walks nearby

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Walk 2156 Lullingstone Castle Circulareasy4.0 miles
Walk 2333 Lullingstone & Preston Hill near Shoreham (Kent)easy/mod6.6 miles
Walk 3441 Sevenoaks, Seal Chart and Ightham Motemoderate11.0 miles
Walk 1510 Otford, Romney Street & Woodlandsmoderate14.5 miles
Walk 1610 Otford, Romney Street & Kemsingmod/hard16.8 miles
Walk 2920 Egypt Bay & St Mary's Bay from High Halstow easy7.5 miles
Walk 3598 Knockholt via Pratt's Bottom, Mace Farm and The Washneyseasy/mod7.3 miles
Walk 3326 Ringlestone & High Wood from Harrietsham easy/mod8.0 miles
Walk 2427 Hever & Markbeech from Chiddingstoneeasy5.9 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking in Kent

Walking in KentA guidebook describing 40 walks in the county of Kent. Covering west Kent and The Weald and north and east Kent, including the Kent Downs and the Greensand Hills. Walks of 5 to 9 miles explore rivers and coastline, beautiful countryside and historic villages. With outlines of 11 longer walks ranging from 15 to 163 miles.
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