Distance: 11.8 Miles or 19 km for those more metrically minded
Difficulty: 4 out of 10
Train: Take the 9:38 AM Southeastern train from London Charing Cross (stopping at London Bridge at 9:47), arriving at Battle at 10:57. Return trains from Battle are roughly on the hour and 35ish minutes past the hour. Buy a day return to Battle.
This is a pretty walk through the rolling hills of 1066 country. It offers some fabulous views of the surrounding country-side with a picturesque town and historic abbey. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.
The recommended lunch spot is in Netherfield (8 miles or 13km into the walk) where there is the White Hart serving food until 3pm -- call ahead 01424 817 848. Tea and other late afternoon refreshments can be had at various places back in Battle.
Enjoy the walk!
2 comments:
I have booked a table in the restaurant at the White Hart for 4 at 14:00, will update numbers at the station.
N=18 on this walk, an impressive turnout at this time of year given the length of the train journey. Disconcertingly it was drizzling when we got off the train, but w=damp-weather-cleared-to-grey as the day wore on.
This was not the last we saw of water, however. Dimly in the back of my mind lurks a stricture against posting Weald walks in winter, so I was at least mentally prepared and pleased to find some bits relatively dry under foot. But for substantial sections it was a squelch-fest. Paths were running rivers, leg muscles ached from wading through mud. The long uphill section to lunch was particularly trying in places.
Lest this sound like a moan, we also found much to enjoy. This is lovely scenery and one section across a broad grassy hill in the morning was magnificent, with far reaching views. Primroses were bursting out all over, wild garlic leaves sprouting on the verges, and birds chirping away. Spring is definitely getting into gear.
We did not get to the pub till well after 2pm - indeed as one of the backmarkers I wondered if I would get there before the kitchens closed. It has been heavily modernised since I last did the walk. Ordering at the bar was a bit slow, but the food came so quickly you wondered if they had cooked it for someone else. 14 ate in all.
In the afternoon we were at least squelching downhill for the most part. Arriving in Battle I heard a blackbird sing. The village itself looked a bit unwelcoming at 5pm - tea rooms certainly shut. But four of us got a cuppa in the deserted Costa.
Others went for the 5.35 train and nine of us eventually congregated in the Abbey Hotel (a pub) and toasted absent friends. Eight got the 6.35 train (one staying behind to make a connection to Canterbury: hope she made it…) and supplies materialised. Mysteriously, despite a one hour 15 minute journey back to London Bridge, one and a half bottles proved adequate to keep us hydrated. Were we missing someone?
Post a Comment