Area Information:

Holly Hill is situated on the North Downs between Birling and Vigo.  It isn’t the largest woodland around but as its one of the highest points in Kent the view’s across to Canary Wharf makes it a worth while visit.

The site is well signposted and a small free carpark is located at the entrance to the 17 acre woodland.  The woodland paths are easy to follow and lead you round a circular path with some slopes and ascents but nothing too steep.  The whole walk is only around 1.5km taking around 30 minutes.

If you want to extend your walk we found another circular walk that we started from the Holly Hill carpark and took us around Greatpark Wood.  This was a relativly flat walk and was well signposted with dog bins located all around the walk. The only down side being the signs asking for dogs to be kept on lead due to ground nesting birds but I guess this is not in force all year round.

There were lots more footpaths leading off from the circular walk in Greatpark wood so it would be quite easy to extend your walk even further.  Just make sure you take a map so you can find your way back.

---

Location:

 

---

Facilities

• – Free Parking in small car park.

---

Walk Information:

Distance: Circular walk around Holly Hill is approx 1.5km (1 Mile).  If you extend your walk to take in Greatpark wood then this will take the walk to approx 5km (3 Miles)

Time:  Approx. 30 minutes for Holly Hill and around 1.5hrs with Greatpark Wood dependant on pace.

Terrain:  Holly Hill takes you around fairly wide unmade woodland footpaths which can become muddy in wet weather and there is access to a field along the bottom eadge for a bit of ball throwing.  There are some ascent and decents but nothing too steep.

Great park wood takes you along a quiet lane across a field and around Greatpark wood.  The woods have defined pathways and work is being done to widen some of these but I wouldn’t think its suitable for anyone with push chairs etc.  The walk however is fairly flat.

Stiles:  Mainly kissing gates.  One stile in Greatpark Wood but dogs can easily get through.

Dogs on leads?:  Dogs allowed off lead at Holly Hill.  When ground nesting birds are present at Greatpark wood dog owners are asked to keep dogs on lead (look out for notices as you enter the woodland).

Dog Bins:  Yes.

---

Circular Walk Route:

---

Dog Walk:

Away from main roads and partly fenced Holly Hill is an easy short walk.  Taking in Greatpark Wood aswell makes this an even more enjoyable walk.

The walk consists of 2 main areas for a circular walk.

Holly Hill – Partially fenced woodland area
Greatpark Wood – Large woodland

Starting your walk from the Holly Hill car park head up the steps and follow the path to the left of the car park.  After a short way you will come to the view point with a notice board pointing out what can be seen.  On a clear day you can see across to Canary wharf.  Head back onto the footpath and head down the slope continuing until the footpath starts to narrow and between the field and a fenced area of woodland.  At this point turn right and head down to the bottom of the hill.  Head round to the right and either continue along the main footpath or bear left and go into the field.  If you take the field walk along to the metal gate at the end and take the footpath back into the woods and rejoin the main footpath at the top of the slope.  Continue to follow the path to the top and back round to the car park.

To head to Greatpark wood turn left out of the car park and walk along the lane until you reach an unmade track on your right that is opposite a metal five bar gate.  Walk down the track and through the kissing gate into the field.  A little way into the field the footpath splits.  Take the path to the left heading diagonally across the field towards the kissing gate at the edge of the woodland.  Head into the woods and follow the footpath taking the path to the left if it splits.  Keep going until you reach a footpath cross roads with a metal stile.  At this point turn left onto the North Downs Way and follow along to the T junction at the end.  Turn left and follow the lane all the way back to the carpark.

 

---

Gallery