Mark Beech Circular - 8 miles

Mark Beech - Hever - Chiddingstone Hoath circuit

This was the first walk of the year and so we didn't want to go too mad and undo all that Christmas and New year excess in one go! This looked a nice gentle stroll around the Sussex - Kent western border which indeed it was except for some exceptionally muddy paths in places. We blamed the mud for our slow walking today but of course it could just have been those extra few pounds we had grown over the Christmas break.

Anyway, we parked up at the "Kentish Horse" pub in Mark Beech village and as we set out the clock on the church tower was striking 10-00am. It was not cold nor was there a breeze and so the day was "heavy" with relatively low cloud but no rain and definitely no sun.

Mark Beech was situated about the 9 O-Clock position on the circuit and we set out northwards towards Hever - famous for it being the birth place and home of Ann Boleyn, Henry 8th second wife. From here we turned east to Hill Hoath and then south to Chiddingstone Hoath before turning west to Cowden Station and back up north again to Mark Beech. The church clock struck 1-00pm as we walked through the churchyard to reach the Pub.

We have never walked through Mark Beech before and whilst we could have started this circular walk anywhere we chose this place because the Kentish Horse pub had a good write up and sounded like "our sort of place". We were not disappointed. It was friendly, open fires in the hearths and good beer and food. Overall, a great find and maybe we should research some more walks in this area for future visits.

A grey January day but dry at least	A lane cut through the sandstone rocks
Mark Beech Church - next to the pub of course!	Another superb pub to add to our list

Stats for the walk were ...

Finished Hike: 5 Jan 2015 13:16:06

Route: Mark Beech Circular

temperature	7°C
humdity	87%
wind	7 mph S

Hike Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20150105-0959

Import Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jedeyy1j6y6wx0d/Mark%20Beech%20Circular%20050115.kml?dl=0

Hike Time: 2:49:18

Stopped Time: 26:53

Distance: 8.17 miles

Average: 2.9 mile per Hour

Fastest Pace: 15:51 Min/mile

Ascent: 1318 feet

Descent: 1376 feet

Calories: 868