Detling Hill

4 May 2003

The third hill of the weekend was Detling Hill (200m/656ft), near Maidstone in Kent:

George coming back to get me as I climb slowly and he bounds up these steps on the North Downs Way

The view from near the top of the steps. Owing to Kent County Council's plans to turn the hill into White Horse Wood Country Park, the public right of way to the summit was padlocked shut. As it turned out, the alternative route was very nearby, but I didn't find that out until the end, and so had a pleasant but very circuitous route to the top of the hill.

George at the trig point, now the centrepiece of a view finder, with the new woodland beginning to grow behind.

The view to the south was very impressive

Having returned to the road by the new path (not indicated at the old "public footpath" sign), a quick visit to the ruins of Thurnham castle.