The total length of this walk is about 6 miles. However by studying the map you can quite easily work out shorter walks if you wish. From Rainham Church (1) go along the Church path by cemetery. Bear left into Beverley Close, cross into Wheatcroft Grove. Bear right and take the tarmac path on the left past no 64 to Mierscourt Road (2). Turn right and after about 200 yards you will see some rough steps on the left leading into an orchard. Go half right, following the tree line, cross the track leading to Siloam Farm and go through a wide gap in the hedge. Carry on through the orchard to a pole in a line of tall trees. Go through the trees, tum left and follow the field edge round to a stile onto Meresborough Road (3). Go right to Meresborough Farm and turn right at signpost (4). Go uphill past houses. Just past a Nursery one the left is a footpath signpost and a steepish bank (5). (Opposite is a path leading back to Mierscourt Lane). If you go up the bank you will walk between some bushes to a stile. This is a moment for big decisions!
The footpath continues over the stile in a straight line to the corner of a wood in front of the pylon you can see ahead. However the field is often obstructed by ploughing or growing crops and can be very difficult or muddy. So, if you feel you can’t face it return to the road and continue uphill to Farthing Corner, cross the Motorway and take the first lane to the left. You will soon rejoin the walk at (8) outside Matts Hill Farm. If you decide to cross the field follow the edge of the wood round to the left, following the Motorway fence, go over a stile (7) and continue to a subway under the M2. Follow the wide track bearing right. Watch out for an open space on the right and go through the trees to the motorway fence. Follow this to the left to a stile.
Cross the stile and follow a dilapidated fence to another stile. Cross the corner of the field ahead, go over a low wire fence and cross an orchard to a stile by a gate at the far side, leading into a road opposite Matts Hill Farm (8). Turn left and follow the road. If you kept to the road without attempting the field you are now back on route. On the right is Queendown Warren Nature Reserve, having many entrances, splendid views and best of all peace and quiet - an ideal spot for a picnic.
Go back to the road and follow it round to the left over the motorway (9). Turn left at the next junction and continue passing Spade Lane and South Bush Lane on your right until you reach the Oasts at Meresborough again (4). Go through an iron gate on your right into a wide, farm track. Folldw this for about half a mile then turn off left (10) between old and new orchards, to a broad grassy track leading beside orchards to a hop garden. A path runs diagonally through the hops to Meresborough Road (alternatively, carry straight on through orchards tum left and then right and follow a wall on the left to the A2 (11). At Meresborough Road turn right to the (former) Man of Ken pub, then follow the A2 left to your start point.
REMEMBER
Keep to the paths
Keep dogs under control
Do no damage
Leave nothing behind
Walk carefully on roads facing oncoming traffic
Close gates
