One Tree Hill

Stunning spring scenes on the Kent walks
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Stunning spring scenes on the Kent walks

Conditions for Kent Walks near London this weekend have been ideal. The countryside looks amazing, all dressed in a cobalt carpet of bluebells. Meanwhile, wild garlic is beginning to bloom along with primrose, stitchwort, cuckoo flower and campion adding further brilliance to the colour palette. On the One Tree Hill figure of eight yesterday the scenery was sensational, and the hues of green, blue and white, dazzling. Birdsong was vibrant – goldcrest, nuthatch, blackcaps, whitethroats, ravens were all heard along with the more regular chiffchaffs, robins, song thrushes, wrens and blackbirds. No finches though, which was weird.

It was great to see so many people out on the walks yesterday; particularly groups of young people, many of whom were using this website (I took a sneaky peek at the pdfs being held). I absolutely love to see that.

I’m collecting evidence for my annual bluebells of the year competition, a far from complete and completely absurd awards process. But at least there won’t be bow ties, chortling chumps, cheesy speeches and mercenary celebrity hosts at the ceremony. Well, there won’t be a ceremony at all! Pictured below are some of the contenders along with some images from yesterday’s strolling. The results will be announced this week.

Once again, apologies for lack of newsletter – I have done none at all this year. Time has been the biggest problem, but also the service provider has moved the goalposts and now wants too much money. I will have to find a solution because I have more than 1,000 subscribers. But when?

  • Wilmots Hill view on the One Tree Hill figure of eight walk. Looking towards Ashdown Forest
    Wilmots Hill view on the One Tree Hill figure of eight walk. Looking towards Ashdown Forest
  • Beech trees
    Beech trees growing out the Greensand Ridge, Wilmots Hill, on on the One Tree Hill figure of eight
  • Meenfield Wood bluebells
    Meenfield Wood, April 2026
  • Bluebells lullingstone
    Home Wood, Lullingstone country park
  • Foliage and cloud under the greensand escarpment on the One Tree Hill walk
    Foliage and cloud under the greensand escarpment on the One Tree Hill walk
  • Emmetts bluebells April 2026
    Emmetts bluebells April 2026
  • Centuries old yew tree growing out of the Greensand Ridge at Wilmots Hill, Sevenoaks
  • Andrews Wood bluebells April 2026
    Andrews Wood bluebells April 2026 on the Polhill walk
  • Wild garlic alongside the One Tree Hill path at Rooks Hill, Sevenoaks
    Wild garlic alongside the One Tree Hill path at Rooks Hill, Sevenoaks
  • Meenfield Woods bluebells, April 2026
    Meenfield Woods bluebells, April 2026
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Rain shafts and redwings

I managed to squeeze in three walks between Friday and Sunday – Hosey Common, Knole Park and Underriver – and dropped by at Bough Beech. The weather was mostly grey on the first two days but a quick trip over to One Tree Hill late in the day on Saturday put us into pole position for enjoying a sliver of gold that marked the setting sun and some curious localised showers sweeping across the Weald, producing several rain shafts. Friday had burst into colour late on too, with a glorious rainbow at Bough Beech and ochre clouds layered above that sliver of gold and orange.

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However, Sunday proved the best day of all with blue skies punctuated by dense cumulus once again depositing rain in sheets for 30 seconds at a time leaving the sunlit landscape shimmering. Very unusual weather. I met up with birdwatching guru Dave and walked on the Greensand Ridge at Underriver. He was in top form, picking up the calls of siskin, little owl, bullfinch and treecreeper in between explaining why West Ham were going to have a decent season (for them). We marvelled at the ‘dancing’ beech trees on the sunken path leading up the escarpment.

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Later on, as the day turned red and mauve, we watched in awe as large flocks of redwings and fieldfares tracked west, arriving from Scandinavia or perhaps eastern Europe, no doubt heading for berry-laden hedgerows somewhere in the country. I think I’m getting into this birding lark but I think I’ll need expert guidance for some time yet.

But seeing those flocks on the move was something I felt privileged to witness – the kind of sight we can all see if we happen to look up at the right moment. But when you realise the significance and epic scale of these migratory movements you start to appreciate why some people wander around with binoculars and notebooks.