T=swc.362
Length: 16.1 km (10.0 miles). Shorter option starting from Cowden reduces the distance by 3km (1.9miles).
Difficulty: 4 out of 10
Trains: Take the 10.07 Uckfield train from London Bridge (East Croydon 10:22) arriving Hever 10:49.
Or, you can take the 9.50 from London Victoria (10.01 Clapham Junction) and change at East Croydon to wait for the above train.
For those taking the shorter option, Cowden is one stop beyond Hever. The train arrives there at 10.53.
Return trains from Doormans to London Victoria. are at xx:10 and xx:40, change at East Croydon for London Bridge.
Buy a day return to Hever (or Cowden if starting there) and a single from Dormans to Hurst Green.
This walk covers a fairly remote area of the borders of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. It passes three historic manor houses, each from a different historic period, and climbs to an iron-age hill fort.
Lunch: The Fountain Cowden 01342 850528 is only 6.0 km (3.8 miles) into the walk. There are no refreshment opportunities after this pub so it might be wise to bring a packed lunch or snack in case the pub is busy.
After leaving the road at Cowden there are no further roads until reaching the outskirts of Dormansland at the end, and therefore no exits.
Tea can be had at Old House at Home pub on the western side of Dormansland just off the route. It is 0.8km (0.5m) from the station.
For more details click L=swc.362
2 comments:
N=19 and a dog emerged from the train at Hever and set off in w=milder-than-of-late-sometimes-sunny weather, initially along lanes but soon slowed down by very muddy paths churned up by horses and forestry vehicles. It was very hard going, made worse for 10 or so who missed a turn off one long stretch of liquid mud and had to tread very carefully to avoid being sucked under. Most of that group stopped for lunch in Cowden, 2 going to the pub, six picnicking in the churchyard which had lots of snowdrops and crocuses. One finished the walk in Cowden. The frontrunners did not stop in Cowden but had their picnic sitting on planks in a field about half an hour further on. The afternoon stretch was much easier, with firmer paths and shorter, less treacherous muddy patches.
The afternoon was particularly pleasant with a long spell of sunshine. We passed lots of horses in stables and in fields. One came trotting over apparently keen to engage but his keeper shouted from across the field that he was a biter so we retreated from the fence to his great frustration. The fastest walkers reached Dormans at around 2.30. Two went straight to the station, the rest went into the Old House at Home where the later group joined them. This is a pleasant hospitable pub and seemed to have a range of food and snacks for humans and dogs. A lovely day out but boot cleaning took a lot longer than usual.. Forgot to mention there was a farm shop on the morning route which a few people visited and bought sweet treats. They do coffee as well so it could make a nice morning coffee stop on future walks.. We didn't see the Cowden pub lunchers in the afternoon. They might want to post additional comments.
PS We found the farm shop because we had gone somewhat off route in Oak Wood on the long stretch of mud mentioned by Wanderer, and got to the road at Buckhurst Farm. The shop is about 500m west of Markbeech and 220m west of the path where we should have emerged on to the road. There is a permissive path south of the road between the shop and Markbeech which might be helpful for future visitors
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