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Although you do not need to do the food trail to find the cache,
the trail offers you a wonderful day out walking and taking in the
local sights, along with enjoying a meal or drink at one of the
area’s fine local eateries or pubs.
Your Land for all Seasons walk takes you
through spring meadows grazed by dairy herds, sun-drenched fields
of marigolds in summer, abundant orchards in autumn and ancient
woodlands alive with wildfowl in winter.
Whatever the time of year, you’ll be captivated by the
tranquil beauty of this remote rural haven, where rolling
countryside is studded only by sleepy villages, historic churches,
hop gardens and tractors at work in the fields and orchards.
Passing through the picture-postcard village of Sheldwich, where
the crack of leather on willow rings out in summer from its cricket
pitch, you’ll pass stunning homes as you make your way deep
into farming country.
Through cornfields and along country lanes, discover remote
hamlets and the farms that work these fertile downland foothills.
You’ll pass hops in the hedgerows and apple orchards as you
reach Saffrey Farm, where seasonal fruit and vegetables, such as
asparagus, winter cabbage and squashes, are grown for the
area’s acclaimed chefs.
Then, as you travel into open countryside, with sheep grazingon
the surrounding slopes, you pass fields where crops, such as
linseed, are harvested. Calendula (marigolds), for skin care
products, and the bright blue Echium plant, rich in Omega 3, are
among other novel crops you will see - providing a modern-day twist
on the traditional crops grown in the area.
Then it’s on to scenic Selling, where the parish church
greets you at the mouth of the village. This glorious building has
links to the Battle of Trafalgar and an ancient bier house, where
bodies once laid in rest before burial.
Catch up on the fascinating history of the village with locals
in the pub, where you can sit among hop bines in its remarkable
garden and enjoy an inspired menu of produce from the area.
Apple and pear orchards line your route as you make your way to
Perry Wood – home to a suspected Roman encampment and with
panoramic views of the surrounding farmland from The Pulpit, some
500 feet above sea level.
The next steps on your seasonal stroll take you through woods
and farmland to a rolling valley of lush grass grazed by one of
Kent’s last remaining milking herds. The dairy farm is a
short distance away along a lane teeming with game birds as you
climb to idyllic Badlesmere, with its historic church and
farmhouse.
If a piece of treasure is removed from the cache, please
replace with something of equal or greater value.
Optional activity: Take a photo of the finder
of the cache wearing the Faversham Rewards badge
(please do not remove this from the cache) and publish to the
www.geocaching.com website
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