From Offham, the first few miles explore the Great Leybourne Woods before following lanes and paths through orchards and fields to Old Soar Manor and nearby Plaxtol Spout. After following the river Bourne and visiting the tranquil village of Basted, the route follows beautiful Greensand woodland via Platt and back to Offham.

Some brief history of the sights on this walk....

The Saxons were the first people to build a settlement at Offham and gave the village its name, meaning 'homestead of a man called Offa', possibly referring to the first king of England, King Offa or it may simply refer to a local Chieftan or a local farmer.  The village has examples of a mixture of houses from virtually every century back to the 15th.  At the start of the walk from the green, take a look at the interesting Quintain or Tilting Pole. It is believed it was used to train knights in the art of jousting in the Middle Ages.   

Old Soar Manor is now a National Trust property. It is a 13th century solar chapel, all that remains of a Medieval knights' dwelling.

At Plaxtol Spout, a slight detour from the walk, there are some of the best preserved period cottages in Kent to be seen as well as Kent's oldest working forge.

The River Bourne is another Saxon name, meaning 'intermittent stream' which regularly dries up.

Basted is a pretty village which was famous for paper making. Numerous springs rise in the valley here and you can hear the sound of water wherever you go.

Offham church is about one mile from the village centre. It is essentially Norman and there are several traces of the original building. When built, it was attached to a manor, Church Farm, the house standing beside was built around 1650.