Day FOUR: Clacket Lane M'way services to Wrotham Heath

Wrotham Heath sits just south of Wrotham (pronounced Rootam) so today I leave the M25 and go and find the M20 and M26 which pass either side of Wrotham. It would be easy to fixate on the motorway system in the South East so I ask you to focus on the photos which try and present a balance.

Anyone who listens to the travel news will recognise Clacket Lane services. Heading out I cross the M25 and am not disappointed to see four lanes of stationary traffic on the eastbound carriageway for as far as I can see. What surprised me was that the lanes nearby where also in partial gridlock as people tried to join or avoid the M25.

View from the ridge

Typical path

Easy navigation

A squeeze style; pull bars apart and squeeze through

It is always motivating to see how far you have come and the North Downs Way provides occasional prompts.

Sixty miles complete

Paths have very specific rules on usage

I have mentioned Ash Dieback and encountered a few areas where trees were being cleared.

A line of Ash trees being cleared

The old Pilgrims Way

Wrotham is a beautiful old village and worth a visit as it is on the trail though I was staying nearby. The church clock/bell tower is slightly detached from the church.

Wrotham

For the sake of balance I have included some road signage near Wrotham Heath. I should stress that the route manages to stay far enough away from main roads which is easy enough as it tracks a ridge.

Though far from the M4, the route starts just south of the M3, and crosses the M2 at Rochester

Day 5: Wrotham Heath to Rochester