Queen Down Warren – Hartlip, Kent

Area Information:

As the name suggests Queendown Warren gets its name from a rabbit warren on the site and dates way back to medieval times.  The area is made up of chalk grassland, fields and woods so there is something for every dog and their walker.  Dependant on your time constraints you can take a stroll around the nature reserve or for a longer walk head out across the fields with a map in hand and explore the area.

Below is information on a circular walk which takes around 1 hour and has no overly steep paths although all the paths are unmade and uneven.  The reserve is all fenced so might prevent your dog making a quick escape but cannot be guarenteed to be totally dog proof.  The area is surrounded by country lanes which are fairly quiet but the main road to the resevere (Matts Hill Lane) tends to be the busier.

The area is owned and managed by Kent Wildlife Trust and more information on Queendown Warren can be found on their website by clicking the link below.

Click here to visit the Kent Wildlife Trust website


Location:

Warren Lane, Hartlip
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME9 7XH

Parking:  Small free carpark available in Warren Lane (Postcode stated above is not exact location of carpark but nearest available.)

 


Facilities:

  • – Free small car park available.  (Above postcode is approx location of carpark)

Circular Walk Information:

Distance: Circular walk around 4km (2.5 Miles)

Time:  Approx. one hour dependant on pace.

Terrain:  Footpaths are unmade and traverse the side of the chalk grassland valley so no major hills to climb.  Chalk footpaths can become slippery in wet weather.  Across the lane is a flat grass field which has fairly long grass so suitable shoes/boots recommended in wet weather.

Stiles:  None.  Only kissing gates.

Dogs on leads?:  Dogs allowed off lead but be aware that sheep are sometimes in the field or surrounding fields.  Please look out for signs on the gates and follow the information provided.

Dog Bins:  No.  Please pick up after your dog and dispose of it sensibly.


Circular Walk Route


Dog Walk:

From the car park head across the first field and out of the kissing gate. Cross over the road and through a wooden kissing gate into the large field.  Here you are fairly safe to let you dog off the lead as it is all fenced.  Follow the track along taking the right hand fork when the path splits.  Follow the path along the top of the valley and pass through two more kissing gates.  Follow the path down hill and into the far corner where you will come to another kissing gate.  Cross over the road and through the kissing gate into the next field.  Follow the path along the fence line to the end.  When you reach the next gate stay in the field and follow the path back round and head back into the field. The path will take a gradual incline but nothing too strenuous and then head back down to the kissing gate where you came in.  Re-trace your steps back in the next field and take the right hand path when it splits.  Just as you pass the rabbit warren turn right and diagonally walk down to the five bar gate and the kissing gate that opens out into the lane.  If you cross over the lane and follow the path straight up you come to a fenced field.  (Please take note of the sign on the gate that will tell you whether there is any sheep or cattle present in the field).  Make your way around the field or stop for a spot of training and re-trace your foot steps back to five bar gate.  Turn right and follow the path back up the hill and through the kissing gate to meet the path you were on originally.  Re-trace your path back to the car park to finish your walk.


Gallery:


 

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