Ightham Mote Walk

2 miles (3 km)

Enjoy a peaceful stroll in the woodland, gardens and parkland surrounding this medieval moated manor house near Sevenoaks in Kent. There are three way-marked walks taking you around the gardens and into the wider estate. The 14 acre gardens are a delight with an 18th-century cascade, orchard and an enclosed garden with a fountain. There's also pleasure grounds with a meandering stream, ornamental lake and specimen trees.
This walk takes you around the gardens and then into the wider estate using the Greensand Way. You'll head to the nearby Wilmot Hill and then return via Broadhoath wood where there are peaceful woodland trails, a tranquil pond and a pretty stream. Look out for blackcap and buzzards as you make your way through this section.
If you'd like to continue your walk you could continue west along the Greensand Way towards the beautiful Knole Park where you will find a deer park, ancient woodland, dry heathland, acid grassland and wood pasture.
You can also follow bridleways north and visit the National Trust owned Oldbury Hill where you will find an Iron Age Hillfort, woodland walking paths and mountain bike trails.

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Igtham Mote Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Igtham Mote Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Igtham Mote OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Igtham Mote Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Head a short distance south and you will soon come Shipbourne where you can pay a visit to The Chaser next to Shipbourne Common. They do excellent food and have a lovely garden area overlooked by the adjacent old church. It's a fine spot to relax in during the summer months. You can find the pub at Stumble Hill with a postcode of TN11 9PE for your sat navs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Shipbourne Circular Walk starts from the nearby village and uses the Greensand Way to visit Ightham Mote before heading off to Knole Park. It's a nice way of extending your walking in the area and visiting another National Trust property as you go.
To the north west there's the nearby village of Kemsing where you can explore the Kemsing Downs Nature Reserve. It's a lovely place for a walk with ancient woodland, bluebells, wildlife and more tremendous views from its elevated location. Near here there's Otford where you can visit the splendid Otford Mount viewpoint and the ruins of the 15th century Otford Palace.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Kent Walks page.