Broad Oak circular

By Ben Perkins

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This week we can offer a second walk from Cackle Street, on the A28 between Broad Oak and Brede. Although it stands alone as a relatively short and easy circuit, it can be conveniently linked, without overlap to the rather more hilly and challenging walk, described in The Argus two weeks ago, adding up to a substantial and varied ten-mile walk in the form of a figure-of eight.

From the village, the present walk drops down into and along the valley where the River Brede flows, before climbing through woods close to the Powdermill Reservoir.

Beyond point 4,the final part of the walk follows an intricate and complex route which, although generally well stiled and way-marked, does require care with navigation and merits close attention to the route description.

1.From wherever you parked along Pottery Lane, walk back towards the junction with the A28. Just short of the main road, turn right over a stile, go ahead beside a right-hand fence to a second stile and then bear right along a wide fenced grassy strip, which leads to a third stile providing access into the corner of a sloping field.

Go ahead through three fields, walking roughly parallel to the left field edge and crossing three stiles. Over a final stile, turn right along the drive to Brede Valley Waterworks.

2.Where the main drive turns left down towards the water company buildings, go ahead, still along a drive. After less than 100 yards, walk forward through a gate and along a well trodden and signed grassy path which leads you, unmistakably to another gate, then on between banks and along a right field edge.

The path continues through an area of woodland where you should ignore side paths as you pass under two sets of power lines. Beyond the wood go forward through a gate and along a farm track.

On reaching the buildings at Brook Lodge Farm, follow the drive round to the right and, and, after a few yards, just short of a twin converted oast, turn left along a wide track which narrows to becomes a fenced path. Follow this path as it goes ahead and then slants right to take you out to a lane. Turn left.

3.After about 300 yards, turn right over a footbridge across a roadside ditch and go forward along a right field edge with woodland to your right. Cross another footbridge and keep to the right of the next field also.

On reaching the corner of an enclosure surrounded by a high fence, veer half left across a field aiming for a double gate in the far left corner where you can join Powdermill Lane and should turn right.

In sight to the left of the lane is the high grass-covered bank which forms the dam at the end of the Powdermill Reservoir.

As you follow the lane, you may get a glimpse of the water through the trees on your left, but sadly, the public are excluded from any closer access to the water’s edge in sharp contrast to the policy adopted at many other reservoirs.

4.At a road junction with Goatham Lane, turn left and, after about 100 yards, turn right into a wide access, passing immediately to the left of a small wooden garage. Cross grass to go through a swing gate, pass to the left of a stagnant tree-shrouded pond and go ahead along the right edge of pasture to a stile, in sight ahead.

A path, vaguely defined by wooden posts, crosses the end of a garden to reach a second stile.

Now go forward along a right field edge and through a gate in the field corner.

You now have a choice of two gates in front of you and your is the rusty one on the left from which a grassy strip between widely spaced fences goes ahead. Where the enclosed green way ends at a stile, go forward to a second stile and on, once again between widely spaced fences, dropping down into a dip.

5.Climb along a left field edge to a stile and go straight ahead, following power lines across the next field to yet another stile. Veer slightly right across the field beyond, skirting to the right of a spoil heap and passing beneath power lines to find another stile.

Go half right across the next enclosure to a drive through a gate a few yards to the left of a small stable. At the time of writing, it was necessary to get over a temporary electrified fence to reach the exit from the paddock.

6.Turn right along the drive and, after a few yards, where the drive bends right, go ahead along a path through trees to a stile.

Head across two fields, then veer slightly right across a third field. At a four-arm fingerpost, turn right towards Moorsholm Farm. Go ahead between the buildings and then bear left along a wide, fenced grass track.

Where the enclosed track ends, go ahead beside a fence.

Go through a gate, past an area of newly planted trees and along the left edge of pasture.

Carry on between buildings to join the A28, back at Cackle Street. Turn right to the start.