Around the Wells and Rocks

Sat 14th Feb 2015

Walk Details:

Event Details Updated
Note change in train times and departure station for Wadhurst (Strider shows a slightly later train, and departing from Charing Cross). Also note the route may be modified slightly on the day if heavy rain increases mud levels to unacceptable levels on the original route.
Event Type
Group Walk
Region
Southern England
Local Group
London
Distance
20 +ml.
Start Time
09.20
Route
Start Wadhurst Stn

(dep London Bridge 08.03) Sussex Border path to Groombridge for lunch, then Tunbridge Wells circular (around the Wells) to Tonbridge, passing near some of the famous rock climbing areas . Subject to change if conditions underfoot are bad, could be shortened to station at Tunbridge Wells or High Brooms to finish . Plenty of trains back to London from Tonbridge but may be late finish so bring torches. Buy day return to Wadhurst

Start and Finish

Entry Details:

Cost

Walk Report

Around the Wells and Rocks, Saturday 14th February 2015
16 walkers, 18.5 miles - leader Jane Bates
15 walkers decided to join Jane on her Valentine's day hike along the Kent/Sussex border.
The morning was misty but we made good progress across minor roads and footpaths to Eridge Park where we took a permissive almost invisible path through Saxonbury Wwoods to Saxonbury Tower where we had a brief break. By then we all knew that good views came with a penalty, the unrelenting up and down of the High Weald.
Then on to eventually pass Bowles rocks, one of the famous rock-climbing areas to our slightly earlier than advertised lunch stop at Boarshead. I had to warn everyone to switch off mobile phones as pub is a mobile phone free pub. The panel by the entrance door with the 'killed' mobile phones made sure they all took my advice. The slightly leisurely wait for food gave plenty of time to chat and get to know each other and allowed the lunchtime shower to pass.
Then on to Harrisons rocks and then to Groombridge where we looked at the model railway perfect Spa railway station before navigating to the north of Tunbridge Wells before dropping down through Rusthall and Tunbridge Wells Commons before a final touristy finish through the famous Pantiles where we almost 'took the waters' before finishing at Tunbridge Wells station just after 5 after 18.5 miles only slightly muddy miles.
One happy walker summed up the day with a text message afterwards "The walk yesterday was SO lovely Jane! Thank you SO much! Great scenery, lovely people, pub and atmosphere and brilliantly led! Hope to meet you again soon in your gorgeous part of the world!". Sounds like a great day out!

Gallery


Maps:

You can use the interactive controls to zoom in and out and to move around the map, or click on a marker for more info. (interactive map help)

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.
© OpenStreetMap contributors under Open Database Licence.
Rights of way data from selected Local Authorities.
Large scale digital mapping is provided by John Thorn.