From Cranbrook to Sissinghurst

The windows of Cranbrook’s estate agencies indicate that property prices stay buoyant in this desirable little town, whatever the economic weather. And town it is, styling itself the Capital of the Weald, though compact enough to explore on foot. Don’t miss a wander along the main streets, which are packed with enticing shops and restaurants, as well as historic buildings. Pick up a Heritage Trail leaflet from the helpful information centre.

Cranbrook’s main landmarks are its grand church, and the Union Windmill on the other side of town. This is the tallest and finest of England’s smock mills, in full working order (worth a climb for amazing views – open summer weekends, some Wednesday afternoons and bank holidays). There are dozens of interesting smaller buildings. The timbered Old Studio on the High Street served as headquarters for the Cranbrook Colony of artists, who worked here in the late 19th century. Cranbrook Museum, housed in a fine 15th-century building off Carriers Road, contains a fascinating warren of display rooms.

The honey-coloured sandstone Church of St Dunstan is one of Cranbrook’s greatest treasures, occupying pride of place on a raised site above the town centre. Its handsome proportions indicate how wealthy the town was when it was constructed in the 15th to 16th centuries. St Dunstan’s is a classic example of a ‘wool church’, built on the proceeds of the broadcloth industry. Outside, Old Father Time guards the clock face with his scythe. The interior is full of interest (information boards are located at intervals). Look out for the Green Man, a pagan figure represented in a boss on the porch ceiling, and in carved wooden shields hanging near the tower.

From Stone Street, turn into St Dunstan’s churchyard and take the paved footpath to the left of the church. Beyond it, bear half right through stone pillars, past a playground on your left. Go up the right edge of the playing fields, then down stone steps to a road. Cross over and take the footpath ahead up more steps and through a kissing gate. Continue past the landscaped grounds of The Park, fenced to your left.

Shortly after passing an adjoining path from your left, turn right and turn downhill following an old hedgeline. Follow the waymarks through the wood at the bottom of the slope, briefly right, then left. Take a footbridge over Crane Brook.

Following the path to the end of the trees, duck through a gap and carry on diagonally half right towards a half-timbered house. Go through a kissing gate out to a road and walk left for a few paces, turning right into a lane, signed 'Cloth Hall Oast'.

Walk past Dulwich Prep School on your left. Bear left past Coursehorn Cottage, then carry on through fields beyond Oast View, following waymarkers past a belt of trees to your left. Go through a gap at the end, then turn left over a railed ditch along a green track.

Pass some oaks and houses to reach Golford Road again. Turn right for a few paces, then left into Chapel Lane at a staggered crossroads. Walk downhill past Chapel House on your right. Then take a stile onto a footpath on your left.

Head downhill through pasture (keep to the left edge if there are cattle here), then cross another stile into a belt of woodland, crossing several footbridges (this bit gets quite boggy after rain). Climb a bank at the edge of the trees. Cross the hilly field beyond, heading towards buildings, then turn left at the footpath sign.

Follow a well-defined path. Go down a few steep steps, crossing an adjoining byway. Take a kissing gate and continue downhill and through mixed woodland. Bear briefly left towards the end, to go through another kissing gate at the edge of the wood and meet a surfaced track converging from your left.

Follow the path past Great Swifts Manor. Soon the chain-link fencing of The Park reappears on your right. Now retrace your steps past the church, back to the start.