The Kentish Marilyns

Kent has two Marilyns, Detling Hill on the North Downs near Maidstone and Cheriton Hill, the most easterly Marilyn, just outside Folkstone. Once again I visited these in the dead of winter a few years ago accompanied by Noddy.

Detling Hill, 656ft

Anyone travelling to Maidstone on the A249 can bag this hill by visiting White Horse Wood Country Park unless you happen to own an overheight vehicle! (What is it with Kent and height barriers?) Noddy and I took the scenic route along the North Downs Way from the car park at Cobham Manor. It was a very pleasant walk via the village of Thurnham and the ruins of the local castle. There were panaramic views of the Weald of Kent from a newly built viewpoint but that wasn't the top of the hill, which probably lay within the grounds of a bus collector.

Cheriton Hill, 617ft

Cheriton Hill will be familiar to anyone who has travelled on Le Shuttle to France. It's the large hill with very sheer side that looms over Eurotunnel. Wisely I decided to walk up the less steep side from my campsite in Densole. The top itself could have been anywhere on a plateau, but you did get some good views of Folkestone and the sea. I was actually quite lucky with weather too. The return journey took me through Hawkinge, a famous WW2 fighter station.