SWC 3: Cowden to Eridge with optional extension to Tunbridge Wells t=swc.3
Distance: Short, Medium and Long on offer:
Short: 10.3 miles/16.5 km
Medium: 12.1 miles/ 19.5 km
Long: 17ish miles/ 27ish km
Difficulty: 4 out of 10 – depending on distance
Train: Take the 9:51 AM East Grinstead train from London Victoria, arriving at Cowden at 10:55 (change Hurst Green 10:36 arrival and 10:41 departure). Return trains from Eridge are at 51 minutes past the hour and from Tunbridge Wells at 09 and 39 past the hour. Buy a day return to Eridge (or Tunbridge Wells if definitely planning to finish there).
This is a lovely walk with options for all. It begins along the Medway Valley and visits the charming villages of Hartfield and Withyham for possible lunch pubs (though it may be safer to bring your own provisions). After lunch, the route undulates through pastures and woods. Usually, there are fine displays of wood anemones near Eridge. For those wanting a longer walk, near Erdige, a short diversion will allow you to pick up the Tunbridge Wells circular (SWC 19) via Harrison’s Rocks where you will also find a collection of wood anemones. In fact, if you are not up for the full extension, you could improvise a circuit around Harrison’s Rocks before finishing in Eridge. You can find more information about the walk and the instructions here (SWC 3) and here (SWC 19).
Pub lunches may be available in Hartfield or Withyham. It would probably be best to call ahead and book if planning on a pub lunch (details of the options are in the walk notes). Post walk refreshies may be available at the Huntsman near Eridge station or at various places in Tunbridge Wells.
It is expected to walk in groups of six and provide contact details. To facilitate the collection of contact details, please pre-register for this walk on the "events" page at https://www.lwug.co.uk/. You will need to first sign-on and possibly register if you have not previously registered on the site.
If you test positive for COVID within a week of attending this walk, please contact me by emailing {remove the AAA} AAAcovid@lwug.co.uk, a private dedicated COVID reporting email address.
Enjoy the walk!
2 comments:
I am recuperating from a back injury at the moment, so will join you for the last leg from the Dorset Arms at Withyham. I'll keeping my boots on this time!
9 people and 1 dog assembled at Cowden station for this undulating route through the Weald under w=clear-bright-skis. Many decided to by-pass Hartfield and enjoyed picnics on the hillside just outside Withyham or in its church yard. During lunch, 2 regulars were spotted doing a short Withyham circular, a bit later on the promised Dorset Arms starter was spotted near "the rocks" and finally on the outskirts of Eridge we found loads of the promised wood anenomes and another regular walker walking independently. So n=10 in total for people doing most of the walk. Most enjoyed a drink in the sunshine of the Huntsman's garden before catching the 4:51 and a few did an extra circuit around Harrison's Rocks before catching the 5:51pm.
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