BEATING THE BOUNDS
Rediscover an ancient walking tradition on
May Bank Holiday weekend
– or any day of the year
Beating the Bounds of a Parish is an ancient tradition, based on the need for inhabitants to know the extent of their land, before the days of maps.
The BTB route has been adjusted to go through the centre of town, but feel free to start anywhere.
Walking routes, map and route for mobile app- download here
The Westerham Society and Westerham Town Partnership endeavour to keep written information up to date. are delighted to welcome families, friends and visitors to join the residents of Westerham in checking our boundaries are still in place! Please download the route cards (see below) and follow the route (much of which is the old parish boundary) at any time, but if spring is in the air it may be a chance to invite friends and relatives to Westerham for an unusual day out. Please let us know if you find
Here are some ideas and pictures for a few of the prettiest sections of the trail.
The Westerham Hill to Westerham Brewery
This north-eastern section from Westerham Hill to Westerham Brewery has some wonderful views from the North Downs.
One great way to join the clockwise trail without walking up Westerham Hill is to catch the 246 bus from the south side of The Green. Get off at The Avenue, cross the road and walk the clockwise route to Westerham Brewery (aka Charman’s Farm) . You can follow the route back into town across King George’s Field. (2.5 miles altogether, takes about 1 ½ hours)
Or you can keep walking and follow the trail to Chartwell. If you are getting a bit tired you can catch the 246 bus back into Westerham on Bank Holiday ..
Old Grasshopper Pub to Chartwell…
This is a very pretty walk (about 3 miles) and takes you over some of the fine views in Kent. Follow the anticlockwise route. On a Bank Holiday you can always walk to Chartwell and get the bus back, . Enjoy bluebells and the views from Mariners Hill that inspired Octavia Hill. On Sundays and Bank Holidays, there are buses back to Westerham from Chartwell every hour, but it’s best to check the timetable.
Chartwell to Brewery, via Squerryes Park
If you are not doing the whole walk, one option is to get a bus to Chartwell and walk this section following the “anticlockwise” route back, to Westerham or the Brewery, where you can follow the route across King George’s Field, back into town. Buses leave the Green for Chartwell roughly every hour.
Walking Routes, Eating, Parking and Route Info
Walk clockwise or anticlockwise and do as much or a little as you wish. The whole walk is just under 12 miles. Detailed notes for walking in either direction can be downloaded by clicking here for clockwise directions or here for anticlockwise directions.
From Westerham Brewery (Charmans) to French Street, is now via The Green (not on the Valence/Dunsdale estates). . Please do not use the Dunsdale / Valance paths as these are private land. The section through the Squerryes Winery, is permissive courtesy of the Squerryes Estate.
Click to download a printable map, courtesy of Savills Sevenoaks office.
VIEW INTERACTIVE MAP ON YOUR PHONE
with walking app like OSMAND (Open Street Map),
OUTDOORS GPS and Topo GPS, using our GPX file.
Unfortunately, gpx files cannot be used with
Google Maps or Apple Maps
DOWNLOAD GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR WALKERS
Our BTB Log Book:
If there is a Fair on the Green, please come to the Westerham Society Tent if you’d like to see our historic log book. We’d love you to add your own entry.
PARKING
• King George’s Fields, Westerham Main Town Carpark (P&D) – This is around 2 mins walk from The Green. The route crosses the carpark . This is the best carpark for also attending the events on The Green
• Chartwell National Trust property (P&D – NT members free) – The route passes the entrance to this carpark
• Westerham Brewery / Squerryes Winery (Charmans Farm) (free) – The route crosses this carpark
• Layby beyond the Grasshopper Hotel (closed for redevelopment) – On the A25 at Moorhouse west of Westerham (free). The route is around 200 yards from this parking area
• Hosey Common – Approximately ½ mile south of Westerham. Join the route at French Street which is 2 mins north of the carpark
REFRESHMENTS – TOILETS and ENQUIRIES
On route, there are toilets and a café at Westerham Brewery / Squerryes Winery (Charman’s Farm), at Chartwell and at Clacket Lane services (be careful of traffic). Westerham has public toilets in Fullers Hill
Please send us your photos!
Photos from previous years come with thanks to Pete Anstock, April Richer, Darren Hayes, Beth Mullings & Jane Bowes. Please email photos to info@visitwesterham.org.uk
View Westerham’s albums from previous years by clicking on the links below…
See photos and video from 2023 here
Photo Album 2018 Photo Album 2017 Photo Album 2016, ITV’s News coverage 2016, Photo Album 2015. Photo Album 2014 here and Photo Album 2013 here.
A real bit of History
Beating the Bounds of a Parish is an ancient tradition, based on the need for inhabitants to know the extent of their land, before the days of maps. The people, led by the vicar and choirboys, would walk round the boundary, checking that the boundary stones were in place, and making sure that everyone, particularly the young, knew where the boundary lay. The Vicar would also bless the land in the hope of a fruitful harvest.
The earliest record of this in Westerham is on 22nd May 1718. Trees and posts were marked with the letter W. It’s mentioned again inthe parish archives in 1758 and 1805. Read more…