The Wealdway: Tonbridge to Buxted
Sat 16th Apr 2022
Walk Details:
We leave Tonbridge passing the Castle (reputedly England’s finest example of a Motte and Bailey), along the River Medway and before too long we climb up onto the High Weald for some far-reaching views. We pass through typically pretty Kentish villages such as Bidborough and Speldhurst and will stop for a late-ish lunch at The Dorset Arms in Withyam (13 miles). A couple of miles later will find us climbing through Five Hundred Acre Wood (the inspiration for A.A. Milne’s 100 Aker Wood) to emerge onto Ashdown Forest. Here were have more stunning views. At Camp Hill we leave the heathland and encounter a mix of farmland and some incredibly pretty woods. We leave the Wealdway at St Margaret the Queen Church and continue onto Buxted station. As there is only one train an hour it seems sensible to have a tea stop at the Buxted Inn (near the station) rather than any earlier in the walk.
For those staying over in Buxted, dinner at the White Hart has been highly recommended and it may be worth booking a table in advance.
OS Explorer 147, 135
Entry Details:
Walk Report
The Wealdway: Tonbridge to Buxted, Saturday 16th April 202214 walkers, 24.7 miles - leader Kate Copeland
We exited Tonbridge via the Wealdway/Eden Valley Walk overlap and were immediately submerged in Park Run 5k-ers coming in the opposite direction. They were clearly working far harder than us so we gave way where possible. The walk fairly quickly took us uphill towards Bidborough for some far-reaching, if slightly hazy, views northwards. The weather was perfect - sunny and warm all day and the haze did disappear later on. We paused briefly in Bidborough Churchyard to appreciate the Ukrainian flag they were flying and have a swift snack. We then pressed on via woodland, fields and semi-suburban areas to have our elevenses at Speldhurst. A few of us were buoyed up by the glorious smell from the yellow azalea growing in the graveyard there. We soon entered the very pretty valley of Avery's Wood with early bluebells giving us a hint of what is to come. The route then continued through more farmland with some brilliantly yellow rapeseed flowers in Fordcombe. After Stone Cross we got the really rewarding views across towards Groombridge. We arrived in Withyam in stages with some heading straight to the pub for much-needed refreshment and some preferring to picnic in the churchyard.
The hour after lunch saw a bit of change as some wanted to go faster and some slower. A detour to the King's Standing ice cream van was requested, after which the main group was down from 14 to 10. Ashdown Forest is often a suntrap and didn't disappoint on this occasion, nor did the views. From Camp Hill it is two hours to Buxted station and we could pace ourselves nicely to enjoy some extremely pretty woodland sections.
We said farewell to the Wealdway at the church of St Margaret The Queen. This is along the driveway of the Buxted Park Hotel. Oddly none of the group had opted to stay at the £350 a night property. The main group arrived at Buxted Station at 18.20 which gave just enough time to buy tickets, stretch and be ready for the 18.37 which was on time. Given our previous experiences with this line, we were all incredibly grateful for the timeliness (nay existence) of trains all weekend.
It was a great day and it's always interesting to be a small part of a longer walking trip as you hear tales from the day before and anticipation about the days to come.
Photographs by Gavin Fuller
Other Files
Download Walk ReportGPX
A GPX file of the above route may be downloaded by clicking the link below.
Note: GPX files of Group Walks are created by LDWA Group members, and may be downloaded only by other LDWA members. They should not be made available outside the LDWA, and are used at members' own risk.
Login to Download (Members Only)You can use the interactive controls to zoom in and out and to move around the map, or click on a path or a marker for more info. (interactive map help)
You can use the interactive controls to zoom in and out and to move around the map, or click on a path or a marker for more info. (interactive map help)
© OpenStreetMap contributors under Open Database Licence
Rights of way data from selected Local Authorities
Large scale digital mapping is provided by John Thorn
At high zoom levels the route is indicative only.
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)
© OpenStreetMap contributors under Open Database Licence.
Rights of way data from selected Local Authorities.
Large scale digital mapping is provided by John Thorn.