T=swc.78
Length: Main walk: 16.5km (10.3 miles) with options to shorten.
Difficulty: 4 out of 10
This walk starts from a lonely station and wends its way through remote valleys, woods and tiny settlements in the undulating landscape of the High Weald. It descends into the Eden Valley for refreshment stops in the beautiful villages of Penshurst and Chiddingstone, before ending in Hever. Each of these three villages has an interesting church which is worth visiting, as well as a popular historic house open to the public.
Trains: Catch the 10.07 Uckfield train from London Bridge (East Croydon 10.22), arriving Cowden 10.53. Return trains from Hever run hourly at XX.05.
Buy a return to Cowden.
Lunch: In Penshurst village, after about 7 km the Leicester Arms Hotel (01892-871617) is suggested for a pub lunch. The Porcupine Pantry at the entrance to Penshurst Place serves sandwiches, baguettes, hot and cold drinks.
Later in the walk, at Chiddingstone, the Castle Inn (01892-87037) is another possibility. It's under new ownership and website is currently under constructio.
Tea: the suggested tea place is the Tulip Tree (01892-870326) in Chiddingstone. Chiddingstone Castle also has a Tea Room (01892-870347) open to non-visitors.
Directions, map and GPS here
1 comment:
N=18 off the train in Cowden on a w=glorious_sunny_day. We were quickly off the road and walking along quiet lanes and paths, a world away from city life. Many of the paths were shaded by trees in full leaf and with a pleasant breeze it was comfortable walking weather. 14 had a picnic in Penshurst churchyard, 2 lunched at the Leicester Arms. The group stretched out a bit in the afternoon with some rushing to get early trains home. Eight visited the tearoom tucked away at the back of Chiddingstone castle for tea/coffee and cake. All were enthusiastic about the setting - a shaded courtyard with comfortable seating. Service was quick and efficient. (It's only open Sunday - Wednesday during the summer months). One hurried off to catch the 4.05 train. The other seven were not in a hurry and had a short stroll through the gardens guided by the walk author before ambling on to Hever. We had time for refreshment at the Heny VIII before heading for the station where we caught the 17.05 back to London along with three others who had gone to the Tulip tearoom. A lovely day in beautiful countryside with hardly any traffic and good refreshment options. Thanks to the walk author who devised it.
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