Getting There
Sat Nav: ME14 3LD
Leave the M20 at Junction 7 and follow the signs to Maidstone, eastbound 3rd exit, westbound 1st exit.
At the roundabout take the 1st exit, signed Bearsted, then the 1st exit at the following roundabout.
Take the next left to drive up Hockers Lane. After driving over the motorway, you enter Detling. Drive through the village until you pass the Post Office, then take the next right to drive down Pilgrims Way, signed Thurham.
Continue driving until you reach Thurnham. The Black Horse Inn is on your right.
Use the Black Horse Inn car park if you intend to patronise them, or with permission at off-peak times.
Return to M20 Junction 7
Turn left out of the car park and drive to Detling. When you reach the centre of the village, turn left to drive down The Street.
After leaving Detling, drive over the motorway, and turn right at the crossroads.
Take the second exit at the 1st roundabout, then the 2nd exit at the next roundabout. This road brings you back to the M20.
Thurnham Castle – Black Horse Inn
Short walk – 35 minutes+
From the Black Horse, turn left onto Thurnham Lane and walk uphill. Pass a metal gate on the RHS, and then turn left at the next stile on your left signed White Horse Wood.
Now take an immediate diagonal down the hill to a stile. Climb the stile and turn right to walk along the broad track as far as a wooden kissing gate on the right. Turn left downhill and cross over the lane (Pilgrims' Way) into the field ahead. A pole marks the spot.
Follow the path diagonally to your left to reach the church.
Enter the churchyard, famous for the grave of Alfred Mynn – reputedly the 19th century originator of overarm cricket bowling – and walk around the church to rejoin the road.
Turn left, and the Black Horse will be on your left at the next crossroads.
Longer walk – 70 minutes+
From the Black Horse, turn left onto Thurnham Lane and walk uphill. Pass a metal gate on the RHS, and then turn left at the next stile on your left signed White Horse Wood.
At the stile, follow waymarker for the North Downs Way which leads you up and down dale, past some farm buildings to finally drop down to a lane (Pilgrims' Way). Turn right, and then left to go down a track by the side of some houses. Climb the stile to enter a field and go forward with the hedge to your right as far as a stile on your right side. Do not climb this one (unless you want to detour to the village shop at Detling) but turn left across the field with the orchard behind you. Continue straight across this field, and the next, until you reach St Mary's church.
Enter the churchyard, and walk around the church to join the lane.
Turn left, and the Black Horse will be on your left at the next crossroads.
Facilities
At the Black Horse. Open all day, with a good range of well prepared fresh produce. Outside shaded seating. Well-behaved dogs get a very hearty welcome. The Black Horse features in the Dog Friendly guide, and has an AA 4* rating for its facilities.
Useful Links
Black Horse Inn, Thurnham
Visit website
North Downs Way
Visit website