10.1 miles / 16.25 km
A walk in a more remote part of the High Weald, with lunch at the village of Cowden.
Trains: Take the 10:07 train from London Bridge, arriving at Hever at 10:49. Return trains from Ashurst are at xx:56. Buy a day return to Ashurst (Kent).
Lunch: The Fountain, Cowden (01342 850528). Food served until 2:30pm.
There are no refreshments near Ashurst station, but in mid-afternoon the route passes the Perryhill Orchard Farm Shop and Tea Rooms. Some walkers may remember the Farm Shop for its range of local ciders. The Tea Rooms are open until 4:30pm. Allow at least an hour to cover the 4km from here to Ashurst station.
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2 comments:
n=26 on an unexpectedly w=warm-and-sunny late October day.
Lunch at The Fountain, Cowden was reported as good but service was slow-and before you ask, she's from Telford. A number of people had a packed lunch in the church yard; the food was reported as limited but reasonable but the service was excellent.
The Perryhill Orchard Farm Shop and Tea Rooms were swamped by our sudden arrival, but handled the orders and service with elan, a joke, and a smile. The range of teas and cakes was impressive!
We all made it to the station in good time for the train.
This was an unexpectedly wonderful day, with everyone commenting on how beautiful both the weather and countryside were.
We walked across sunlit fields and through dappled woods, tramping across rustling leaves and chestnuts, with far-reaching views in all directions.
Cowden is a very pretty village, and its church well worth a visit - a postwar stained-glass window, with airmen, soldiers, nurse, evacuees, all celebrating their relief from the war, not to be missed.
The walk down to Ashurst, in the afternoon sun, was an experience which, I suspect, will stay with us always.
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