Length: 13¼ km (8.3 miles), or 16 km (9.9 miles) with longer ending. Toughness: 4 or 5/10
09:45 Hastings train from Charing Cross (Waterloo East 09:48, London Bridge 09:54, Orpington 10:09, etc), arriving Wadhurst at 10:50. Buy a return to Wadhurst.
Trains back from Tunbridge Wells are half-hourly at xx:08 & xx:39 until 20:39, then hourly.
This undulating Wealden walk starts along the Sussex Border Path and then takes a permissive path† along the eastern boundary of Eridge Old Park to Frant. You should reach this elegant hill-top village by 1pm and its large triangular green makes a good picnic spot; if you want to be sure of a pub lunch, call either the George Inn (01892-750350, near the church at the top of the village) or the Abergavenny Arms (01892-750233, on the main road).
The fairly short afternoon leg soon reaches the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells, with the choice of a direct route to the town centre or a longer ending through the landscaped grounds of Dunorlan Park. There are a couple of park cafés on this extension, plus plenty of other tea places in the town centre.
† The permissive path was established under an Environmental Stewardship Scheme which has now ended, but the Eridge Park Estate Office has put up notices confirming that access is still permitted.
Please bring the directions from the L=swc.196 page. #2026-06-14T10:50
1 comment:
Nine walkers assembled at Wadhurst in #sunny weather for a delightful walk through quiet countryside. There was talk of a short cut to avoid some cows, but we didn't take it and successfully negotiated a field of inquisitive bullocks.
Three more walkers missed the train at London Bridge but appeared when most of us were picnicking on the green in Frant, making #12. The original nine all had refreshments in the nice garden of the George Inn and stayed together for the afternoon which included a visit to the beautiful church in Frant and some even more charming countryside before we got the the suburbs of Tunbridge Wells. Most went for tea at Juliet's but I went to the Opera House pub with its spectacular interior.
The three latecomers did the extension (which they didn't seem to rate highly) before stopping at the Opera House and heading for the 1708 train. But they found me on the 1639 still on the platform having developed a fault. It was good to have some company on the slow journey back which was the only disappointment on a top day out
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