Getting There
Sat Nav: ME14 3LD
Leave the M20 at Junction 8 and follow the signs to Lenham, eastbound 3rd exit,
westbound 1st exit.
At the roundabout take the 2nd exit, signed Maidstone A20. Drive along this road for just over a mile, then turn right, signed Bearsted Green.
Drive along this road until you turn right onto Thurnham Lane (if you drive past the station on your right, you've gone too far). Drive under the motorway, then Past the church on your left. At the crossroads, turn left. The Black Horse Inn is immediately on your left.
Use the Black Horse Inn car park if you intend to patronise them, or with permission at off-peak times.
Return to M20 Junction 8
Turn right out of the car park and immediately right after the Black Horse Inn to drive down Thurnham Lane. Pass under the motorway and, when your route is crossed by the main road, turn left.
Stay on this road until you reach the T-junction with the A20. Turn left and drive for over a mile until you reach a roundabout where you take the first exit, signed M20, to return to the motorway.
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