3 men on a walk 2015: Wye Loop via Devils Kneading

Wye and the North Downs loop

This was probably the prettiest walk of this year. Sure, the South Downs and their views across to the sea are wonderful but this section of the North Downs in the Autumn sunshine was exceptional as the photos below show. The drive to our starting point was mostly in heavy mist but as we hit the downs it magically lifted into a beautiful sunny day, with the mist just hanging about in the far distance.

We parked up at the wonderfully named "Devils Kneading" which is a car park atop the south escarpment of the North Downs just a couple of miles South East of Wye village. Whilst the car had taken us to the top it wasn't long before we were walking down and up the many valleys that cross the downs. The paths were in good condition and we reached the village of Crundale which has an early Norman church dating from the early 12th Century. This Church was sited in the middle of nowhere about a mile or so from the village in a wood yet we were able to enter it and marvel at its peacefulness and antiquity. I think only in the UK could this happen with something as precious as this and 900 years old!

From Crundale we looped around and headed towards the village of Wye which sits on the Great Stour River. Regrettably, this is not a picturesque village even though its very old and its own church is also Norman (see Wye Church History ). However, despite the village not being up to much the "Tickled Trout" pub nestling alongside the river was very good and made a perfect lunch stop! AS mentioned the weather was wonderful and must have made 18 deg C so we sat outside at the pub for lunch just admiring the wonderful chalk stream river.

After lunch we looked forward to the long slog uphill to get back atop the downs and back to the car. The initial uphill from the river was gentle but as we hit the escarpment of the downs we puffed and blew our way up a couple of hundred metres of climb. Ivan said it was the seven pints of Kent ale we had with lunch that must be slowing us down !! Anyway, arriving at the top we once again had the wonderful views across the Kent levels below which eventually migrate into the Romney marshes.

The path then took us back to Devils Kneading via a couple of mile trek along the edge of the escarpment so we had the views all the way back to the car.