Historic mansion Provender House in Norton is among the landmarks on the next walk organised by Geoff Rambler. In partnership with What’s On, he is leading a series of rambles around the county, and the latest takes him through the Swale countryside.

Despite the snow earlier this week, spring is just around the corner, so why not make time to enjoy some of our county’s beautiful countryside?

This weekend, Geoff Rambler will be leading a six-mile circular trek starting at the Plough Inn in Lewson Street, Norton.

It is a fairly flat walk, without any strenuous climbs, and will go through pastures and a cherry orchard, taking in the beautiful village of Painters Forstal and passing the historic Provender House in Norton.

He said: “Provender is a really interesting place. It is currently owned by Princess Olga Romanoff, and in the past it was owned by a variety of unusual characters.

During the walk we will consider how Queen Victoria may have inadvertently helped bring down the Russian Royal family and what eventually brought the Romanovs to Norton. I will also reveal how Australia was almost named after a rake and libertine who previously lived at Provender.”

The walk will go at an average of 2mph, and there will be a break for coffee at the halfway point, if walkers wish to bring a flask with them.

Geoff added: “Walking is a great form of exercise, an opportunity to meet new people, and also to learn something about places in the county that are often missed when we zoom past them in cars.”

The walk starts at the Plough Inn at 10am on Saturday, March 16. Participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes earlier. It is free but a collection will be held at the end for Kent Air Ambulance.

A rambler and author

Geoff Rambler is, in fact, Geoff Ettridge but as a walking leader, his nickname stuck.

Retired civil servant Geoff, 59, lives in Chatham and has led walks for more than 10 years.

Last year he published Heroic Yomps, a book of walks that link more than 20 Shepherd Neame pubs, using more than 100 miles of footpaths between Rochester and Faversham.

It is available from Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre in Faversham and Cotswolds Outdoor Leisure at Newnham Court, Maidstone, priced £5.

All proceeds go to the charity Combat Stress, which supports military personnel who have experienced psychological problems as a consequence of their service.

2013 WHAT’S ON WALKS DIARY

All What’s On readers are invited to come along and join Geoff for his guided walk. There will be more info on each walk closer to the event in What’s On and at www.kentonline.co.uk/whatson

HOO Saturday, April 27

Six and a half miles. St Mary Hoo out to Egypt Bay

ADDINGTON Saturday, June 1

Three and a quarter miles. From Addington, near West Malling, taking in three neolithic barrows

BLUE BELL HILL Saturday, July 6

Four and a half miles. Blue Bell Hill taking in another three neolithic sites

FARNINGHAM Saturday, August 24

Six and three quarter miles. Farningham and South Darenth

STODMARSH Saturday, September 28

Seven and a quarter miles. Stodmarsh Nature Reserve to Wickhambreaux