No sign of Mr Tiger on the Kent walk either. One driver met two regulars and two youngish first-timers (university astrophysicists, no less) off the train, so 5 of us on a cool dry day with a bit of sun . [Another 8 or 9 walkers set off in the opposite direction but then circled back and followed us for a couple of miles before we managed to shake them off. When we all met up again to catch the 17:17 train it turned out they were a group of friends who'd done the 'standard' version of the walk, with the Leeds Castle loop.]

It was only 6km to the lunch pub but it took almost two hours as we had to cope with some very slithery descents on the North Downs Way. Walking sticks or poles would have been a big help but fortunately no-one came a cropper. Four ate at the Black Horse and all were well pleased with the pub. No doubt the management were disappointed at the hit to their cider sales due to Mr Tiger's absence, but they hid it well.

Our two first-timers flirted with the idea of doing the Leeds Castle loop but decided it was getting too late. I might also have put them off by mentioning that previous groups had made discouraging noises about the link routes to and from the castle, but today's independent group reported that they weren't all that bad.

It's a really nice walk. When we did it in Spring 2023, those of us that visited Leeds Castle found the return path through the woods was flooded but you can avoid it by returning the same way that you went out.

As noted in the written directions many of the footpaths in the first two sections are not marked out, so if you're not familiar with the route then navigation can be a bit tricky. There are also notices saying that the landowner has applied to divert the rights of way in §B to accommodate a new vineyard, so the walk route will probably need yet more tweaking in 2024/25.

I haven't checked the Leeds Castle circuit recently. The link routes to/from the castle grounds are pretty dismal but you've always got the option of giving this loop a miss and exploring Hollingbourne Meadows instead (but sadly the wildflower meadow seems to be no more).

7 off the train, plus 1 car driver, ie 8 on the walk.

2 of those quickly took up the backmarker slots and fell behind, while the others negotiated the large arable fields en route to the North Downs. They mostly had clear trod or ploughed paths, the sun was out, the ultra-green cereal and other plants were swaying in the breeze, ie: life was wonderful.

At the bottom of the Downs, 2 turned right to walk the shortest possible walk (16 km), lunching at the Hook & Hatchet and getting back to base in time for the 15.16 train.

The other 4 of the avantgarde stormed up the Downs and followed the Thurnham Extension. This was semi-treacherous, as the very many steep and sometimes stepped paths were proper soapy from recent rain, and with some of them kind of falling away as well, and often overgrown and/or blocked by fallen trees. We did survive without a tumble though. An almighty rain shower started when we were in the Thurnham Castle ruins, so much so that we stopped at the very treacherous steep descent from it on account that at least a few of us were more or less guaranteed to kiss the soil and slide down the hill on our backs. Back we went to Castle Hill road and down it to the village.

That's where we encountered The Black Horse, an ancient pub on the Pilgrim's Way. It was past 1 o'clock already, so we asked for a table rather than walking on to the Hook & Hatched. Incongrously, we spotted the 2 backmarkers inside (this was not on their route), with the SWC chips-and-cider man imbibing an almighty 8.4 % pint of cider, while his companion was awaiting some food.

We lost 1 of us to the backmarkers (all 3 were briefly spotted again in Hollingbourne near The Dirty Habit pub, them just ahead of us strolling down the road towards the station while we turned left for the remainder of the route).

What can be said about The Black Horse, Thurnham? What. A. Great. Pub!

Great historic building, with many levels sloping down the hillside, exposed beams, fireplaces, nooks and crannies, an ambitious food menu which DID deliver, attentive and friendly staff. Do we have more walks that use this pub? If not, why not?

All that more then compensated for being seated in the seventh circle of hell, where 3 of the other 4 tables in our corner had small and not so small children amongst them, some of which clearly hadn't benefited from much parenting so far. 105 minutes later, we left. The second shower of the day had passed while inside.

On up the Downs again, in a roundabout way, and then picking up the Main Walk route about 3 hours after we left it. We forwent the 2nd extension on account of time lost in the pub and on slippery paths, walked the Leeds Castle circuit (the 'Queen's Joust' evend had just finished and thousands of people went the other way to their car parks) and reached Hollingbourne village in the knowledge that the 18.16 had just left. Into The Windmill then for a couple of convivial snifters. 19.09 train for the London Bridge 2 (via Ashford), 19.16 for the Victoria bound 1.

Weather: sun clouds and two showers

Views: very fine

Paths: tough at times due to slipperiness and also overgrowth, fallen trees and exposed tree roots, but at least most of the grassy paths through meadows and paddocks were freshly mowed.

Wildlife: rabbits and plenty of birds, but best sight was a tiny wee ultra-yellow spider that had just started to eat a fly it had caught, while hanging upside down the frame of a metal gate.

Plantlife: buttercups and daisies galore, lots of cow parsley and that endemic Kent 'plant' commonly referred to as polytunnels.

Many thanks to Pete G for posting this, and for the walk author having created it in the first place.

The two ‘back markers’ abandoned hope of keeping up and decided to head for Thurnham rather than the prescribed route. A decision not taken lightly, having heard rumours of an 8.4% cider available in the Black Horse. We got there eventually, and, guess what readers. There was indeed an 8.4% cider and Mr Tiger could not be kept away from it.

The others showed up after a while (what kept them?) and one defected from them to us.

The fast ones were so well hidden, we presumed they had sped on.

Having heard of tricky sections on the rest of that loop we backtracked and continued round the main walk. There were allegations my gait was unsteady but this was mostly down to the uneven terrain.

The Black Horse is now an official Mr Tiger favourite.

Cricket enthusiasts walking the Thurnham option may be interested to know that Alfred Mynn "The Lion of Kent" or "Mighty Mynn" is buried in Thurnham churchyard.

10 walkers, including 2 who had started an hour earlier, plus a small dog. A mainly sunny day. A very pleasant walk with some good views, lots of birdsong and the bluebells were on display.

The paths were mainly dry as we were on higher ground but there were a few boggy/muddy patches here and there and those who braved the road noise to do the optional Leeds Castle loop had to negotiate one horribly muddy woodland path on the way back.

Very nervous of an overcrowded statiom

But seems a pity not to go on a walk

Let's find the Blitz spirit.

Prefer beer or wine myself, but you could try looking in the drinks section in your local supermarket, or with the meths and white spirit in B&Q.

Is this walk going ahead? I hope so

Is it going ahead? This is not the Ramblers:the SWC is a force of nature.

Our walks are self-organising, with no leader. If people turn up for the walk, it will go ahead. I suspect people will, for what it is worth.

Are you at risk of catching the coronavirus on a walk? Yes, in the sense that you are at risk of this whenever you interact with people at this time. Neither the SWC or the walk poster have any view on whether it is "safe" to go walking or not.

But for what it is worth, current official advice from the UK government - as I interpret it, and I may be wrong - is that when associating with people outdoors you are much less likely to catch a virus than when you are with them indoors. Talking to them at close quarters in a pub is another matter. The UK government says that the risk is mostly if you are within one metre of someone for 15 minutes. How they know this or how much it is guesswork, Lord knows. But it would obviously apply when having lunch in a pub. But on a Saturday on a main line station I would say it is moderately easy to keep more than one metre away from people most of the time, and this is also true on the train sometime, depending on how busy it is: but trains are often not THAT busy on Saturdays. Of course, if you sit with the other walkers on the train chatting, you are within a metre for more than 15 minutes. And you only have to be unlucky once....

All the above is just what I have understood from the official advice I have read: as I say, my understanding may be incorrect or imperfect. The BBC News app has a number of useful articles about coronavirus risk, and I am sure that the NHS Direct website does too, so look at those if you want more information on which to make up your mind

One thing to add is that please obey the current government advice: DON'T come on this walk if you have any kind of fever or a newly-started cough, or if you think you may have had contact with someone with the virus during the past two weeks.

If you are scared of catching COVID-19, Why not do a local walk on your own that does not involves public transportation or social interaction.

Intend going J and J

15 including one late starter. Light rain at start but mostly dry Forgot my waterproofs didn’t I, so just as well. Lost my place in the directions, trying to keep up with the others, and shot off down the wrong path. Never saw them again. Got back on track eventually but opted for the short walk. Short walk extremely muddy in places – such as the path skirting Edens Hole. Quick pint in the Dirty Habit, then off round Leeds castle. Golf ball landed at my feet just before crossing the golf course so I dinged the bell. It’s probably worth mentioning the bell. Went slightly adrift at the top end of the estate, where you “bear left and go downhill”(is it the path just BEFORE the brow of the hill rather than ON the brow of the hill?) but I managed to get out again without getting shot or anything.

I plan to attend

me too

Dirty Habit looks good for lunch with VEGAN options

Seeing as the previous commentator didn't mention it, in the interests of fairness and equality I have just checked and it seems that Hook and Hatchet also have Vegan options

From the menu

Gluten free, vegan and vegetarian menu available

love the later start ! thanks Sean

24 on the walk Weather was lovely sunny all day. Thanks for writing and posting Sean. Most of us got the 17.59 train back to Victoria

After the short report by Bridie I thought that I would add a bit of detail.

21 got off on the train which only had two bogs in the four carriages but none of them were working. Nothing to do with me said the guard.

1 chap arrived by car though by all accounts we were lucky by him walking with us instead of meeting us at the pub. Someone said that as there were 2 lunch pubs 4k apart he couldn't tell which we would use so had to walk with us.

According to one walker ewes and their lambs identify each other by the number written on them in spray paint (seriously?). He seemed convinced

One got a late train and walked straight to the pub - say 500 metres but she got lost so did a longer walk than any of us so she says.

Muddy walk - those in shorts regretted there choice of clothing.

There was a very very jet black helicopter parked outside the first pub where some of us had stopped for a short drink and a few of us were like excited school kids when we heard the engine start and ran up the field to have a look. What a lovely powerful sight though not very green.

Story goes it was a Russian oligarch who had popped to the pub for a drink.

One walker got left behind in the conveniences at this pub so ran of to catch them up but failed so came back to join us at the Hook and Hatchett pub until we walked out - so it goes.

16 stopped for tea at the kiosk by the castle in Leeds (?) and then caught the 17.59 with working toilets

To add to the previous comment: those in shorts were delighted by their choice with the sunny weather burning down on us. A few in long trousers were overheard sighing about a missed opportunity.

The pub Dirty Habit which served gourmet lunch for at least 10 walkers really deserves a mention. (I see it has be omitted from previous 3 walk comments). Two walkers even broke the ‘bad habit’ and had dessert here. Some had suggested we could just come here for a three course lunch followed by a stroll in the ground of Leeds Castle on a lazy Sunday...... I am keenly waiting for that post!

24 walkers plus one well-behaved dog! he deserves a mention.

play nicely :)

As told by someone on today's Whitstable walk...

15 (roughly) and a dog, which caused some consternation with some walkers, many of which did not have directions with them. A couple of difficult to negotiate diversions after lunch meant that Leeds Castle was never passed by this particular walker.

Sounds lovely. Hope to attend jfk

This sounds lovely. I enjoyed the other Hollingburne walk last summer.

Am interested to do this walk too jfk

am going to do this walk.

The immortal words “the return route should be easier assuming the ground is firm” were penned before this week’s monsoons, and that section may not be as firm as expected. If so, you do have the Pilgrims Way, slightly to the north of the walk route. You could stay on it all the way from the lunch pub, though Broadstreet, to Hollingbourne. Or you could follow the proper walk and keep it in mind as an alternative if the going gets tough. There are several connecting paths. See map http://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_3/walk_221/map.shtml . Watch out for cars.

Great walk! Beautiful and varied scenery. Thoughtful planning by covering the slopes before lunch and a flatter route after a wonderful lunch at Black Horse. Recommend doing the full walk to Leeds Castle especially if you haven't been.

7 plus 2 independents who were startled to find the Saturday Walkers Club out on a Sunday. They gave us the slip at lunchtime. Most of the footpaths across the farm fields were impeccably marked out but not the last 1km before the railway crossing, causing the over-confident author to veer off course. Wading through the knee-high crops would have been tough in the rain but thankfully it was cloudy but dry . Bit of a rush to catch the 18:07.

4 very wet and windy and cool 2 off the train, 2 drove. Armed with walk instructions, map, gps etc we nevertheless struggled with mud, wet fields and knee-high crops. It was not so easy pathfinding in places especially going through the large field of cereal towards Broad Street although we could clearly see 'the way ahead' in the macro sense towards the Pilgrims Way and The North Downs Way.

Precise, or indeed ANY compass bearings would have helped as we struggled uphill with wet pages and poor visability having initially veered off in the wrong direction. By the time we reached the NDW a joint decision to miss out the Hucking loop was arrived at. We still paid homage to the Shepherd at his viewpoint before the gradual descent to Hollingbourne where two enjoyed a sandwich at the village church before a gentle climb to the pub to join the other two for a drink as they equally enjoyed a sumptuous roast (insisting on sharing a dessert with the arrivistes).

Perhaps full, 2 shortcut to the station presumably NOT stopping for a 'loiter'(Mr Author) or a 'snooze' (Mr Walk-poster) in the Meadows whilst 2 braved the southern circular bit around the impressive Leeds Castle. This section, by the lakes would delight birdwatchers; SWIFTLY circling small black & white avians dining on the wing.

Slightly damp we opted for coffee in the pretentious restaurant part of the low-ceilinged, timbered Windmill in Eyhorne Street surrounded by animal skin rugs and horned skulls on shelves before a brisk tarmaced route to the station and the 1707.

Despite it being a foul day this would obviously be a great walk (full version) on a fine day.