Shipbourne - Greensand Way - Ightham Mote - Carter's Hill - Underriver

(S/E) Shipbourne Church

The walk starts (and ends) at the back of Shipbourne Churchyard. 3 footpaths branch: take the one labelled Greensand Way (GW) - diagonally right heading North West.  The outward section of the route is pretty straightforward, following the Greensand Way for around 2.75 miles. Generally well signposted, with a couple of exceptions that will be addressed further on. Following the GW over the stiles. On reaching the track, go diagonally left on the GW, with a small wood on the left. At the end of the wood, follow the fence on the right, swinging right uphill towards the Greensand Ridge up ahead. Over the stile into South Seers Wood. The track descends slightly. Cross a stile to leave the wood, keeping the fence on the left. Cross a small stream into an open field. Continue uphill to a style leading to a minor road (Mote Road). Turn right,  following the road North towards Ightham Mote. 

(1)  Ightham Mote (NT)

To visit Ightham Mote, after about 100 metres, fork right along a bridalway, entering the grounds.  Follow the bridalway around 100 metres to arrive alongside the manor house for some great photo opportunities. 

Ightham Mote is an outstanding 14th-century moated manor owned by the National Trust. This is as close to the manor as you can get without paying admission or being an NT member. However, there is a nice cafe and WC available for everyone. It's well worth a dedicated visit if you have the time.

Re-join the GW - back to the road. Turn right and after 30 metres turn left towards Mote Farm. GW but not marked. At Mote Farm follow the GW around to the right and onto the Greensand Ridge. At the footpath junction, continue straight (the blue route from Ightham Mote goes off to the right). At the next junction, by the house on the right, ignore the downhill footpath on the left and continue on the GW. The path turns sharp right up steps, then turns left on the edge of the wood. Keep the fence to the left to reach Wilmot Hill and enjoy the spectacular views of Kent and East Sussex. 

(2) Wilmot Hill (Ightham Mote Estate)

Keeping with the GW, ascend to Shingle Hill, where the path flattens. Next, a slight descent passing through a gate. After the gate, turn sharp right onto a small track heading uphill. The GW follows this track for 100 metres before turning sharp left on a footpath - opposite Rooks Hill Cottage, following GW, up some steps, followed by a steep climb to the top of Rooks Hill. 
Follow the GW to One Tree Hill, 

(3) One Tree Hill (NT) 

Extensive coppicing is visible on the right. The path becomes less defined here, with several meandering footpaths—keep to the left following the ridge line, enjoying views on the left. The trail gradually descends to meet a minor road. At this point, leave the GW, turn right, and walk along the road for about 200 m. At the junction, turn left onto another minor road.

Just before the junction, there’s a free National Trust car park on the right—ideal as a starting point for exploring the Greensand Way or for a relaxed afternoon dog walk. The only catch? It’s small—fitting a maximum of around 20 cars—so at peak times, you'll need a bit of luck to find a spot! I’ve done an easy 2.5-mile circuit from here, which I may publish separately.

Continue along the road, passing Weald Height Farm on your left. Turn left onto the bridleway at the Orchard Cottage sign, where the Restricted Byway (SR157) crosses the road.

(4) Greensand Way - one last time

Follow the bridleway downhill heading south, ignoring the right turn onto the Greensand Way. You'll briefly merge with the GW (for the last time) for about 50 metres, then continue along the bridleway, ignoring the GW as it turns off to the left. The bridalway turns into a cutting, with some interesting tree roots exposed through erosion. At the fork with the purple direction arrows, take the right fork (SR157) heading down steeeply to Kettleshill Farm. Descend the short flight of steps and, at the junction, turn right to follow downhill. Continue past Kettleshill Farm and, at the junction, turn left. Come out by Black Charles Cottage and continue straight ahead on the track heading South. At the Underriver road junction, turn right, following the sign to Hildenborough and Tonbridge. 

(5) White Rock Inn - Underriver

The road through Underriver is surprisingly quiet (especially for Kent), with little through traffic. About 150 metres ahead on the left, you’ll find the White Rock Inn—perfect for a well-earned drink! It’s a well-placed stop too, as you’ll have completed just over half the route by this point. It’s a welcoming pub with friendly staff, a good selection of drinks, and a large garden with plenty of seating. A great spot to recharge before continuing the walk.

Leaving White Rock, turn right and retrace your steps for 100 metres, then take the footpath on the right, through double gates. Follow along the hedge on the right. Continue through the gate and, in the next field, follow the marked path slightly right. Continue straight, through the gap in the fence following the marked path to the hedge up ahead. Continue to the stile, just in front of the twin oak trees on the right and continue forward - ignoring the left fork - through the next field. At the next stile by the oak tree on the left, the path swings slightly left towards the house ahead. Cross the small stream via the bridge, continue to the stile to access the minor road, opposite Underriver House. 

(6) Underriver House 

At the road, turn right and continue along the road, past Underriver Farm on the right. At the junction, continue straight following signs for Underriver and Sevenoaks. About 400 metres beyond the junction, take the footpath on the left, over the stile into the field, following the marked path. At the next stile, ignore the path continuing forward but instead keep to the hedge on the right (as marked on the stile) to reach a gate. After the gate, follow the path, keeping with the fence on the left, ignoring the path over the bridge on the right. Cross over a small stream, past Grenadier Cottages, arriving at a minor road (Riding Lane).

(7) Riding Lane

Turn left along the road, continue 150 metres, then take the footpath (MR392) on the right. Keep walking slightly uphill with the hedge on the right and a wood on the left that soon gives way to a very large field. Keep following the path, eventually reaching a gate that leads onto a minor private road.  Straight over the road and continue on the footpath. Over the stile, angle slightly to the left as marked - the path is visible.  Keep with the path, Barr Wood is on the right. After about 200 metres, a small wood will be on the left, followed by a field. Continue to the stile, accessing a minor road (Hildenborough Lane). 

(8) Hildenborough Lane

Cross the road to the marked footpath opposite. Over the stile and continue straight ahead into the field, staying on the path. You’ll pass a small wood on your right and a larger wood on your left, which soon opens into a wide, open field.

At this point, you should be able to see your destination—Shipbourne Church—in the distance.

Keep going until you reach another wood on your right, where a large pond becomes clearly visible from the path. The footpath isn’t marked here, but keep your bearings: about 50 metres past the pond, start to bear diagonally left across the field, still aiming for the church tower.

The route gently descends into a small (usually dry) valley, and a metal ditch guard will come into view. Pass close to the guard and follow the now well-marked path as it climbs gently uphill to Shipbourne Church, bringing you back to the starting point and the end of your walk (S/E).

Car park: There is usually plenty of parking on Shipbourne Common, along the unfenced road, opposite St Giles Church, Shipbourne (Shipbourne Church), with some dedicated bays and parallel parking along the road. I've visited here at popular weekend times and never had any issues with parking. Avoid using the small car parks at Shipbourne Church and, next door, The Chaser Inn, unless you're also looking for spiritual enlightenment and/or a drink!

Trail Tips - in no particular order

• No shelter, shops or WC facilities, other than at the pubs and Ightham Mote.
• Dog-friendly walk with some off-lead on the GW. Some stiles will require a lift; fortunately, our dog is small! Both pubs welcome dogs.
• Some bus routes serve Shipbourne, but services are limited due to the rural location.
• Booking recommended for weekend dining at The Chaser Inn.
• 85% of the walk off road, with the rest on very minor roads with no obvious traffic hazards.
• Did the walk following a dry spell, so no obvious mud baths. However, some sections are likely to get messy following heavy rain. Anyway, better to wear boots for this one.

St Giles' Church, Shipbourne:  Open daily (except Monday) 9am - 3pm. An interesting, relatively modern church (1879), well worth a visit.

Ightham Mote: An outstanding 14th-century moated manor owned by the National Trust. Recommend half-day visit.

Knole, Sevenoaks: The Greensand Way makes a free detour into the Knole Park Estate before exiting via River Hill. This 600-year-old estate with its courtyards, showrooms, Gatehouse Tower and acres of parkland with free-roaming deer is owned by the National Trust. Worth a day visit but check the website first, as entry requirements are often updated.

Greensand Way: The Greensand Way is a 108-mile long-distance walking route in south-eastern England, following the Greensand Ridge across Surrey and Kent, starting in Haslemere and finishing in Hamstreet. It's named after the sandstone rock that contains the green mineral glauconite.
The main photo for this link page is of Shipbourne, showing the close proximity of St Giles' Church and The Chaser Inn.