A Walk in the Garden to Discover Sussex & Surrey as Explore South East

A Walk in the Garden Kent walks and days out magazine will be renamed Explore South East from the next edition.

Explore South East countryside and coast magazine is an evolution of A Walk in the Garden, which has been published since September 2011. Covering a wider area, the magazine will explore picturesque walks in the countryside and on the coast of Kent, East and West Sussex and Surrey. So you can expect to see East Sussex appearing in the magazine in the second half of 2013 and West Sussex and Surrey joining in 2014.

Explore South East can be found at explorese.wordpress.com and A Walk in the Garden’s Twitter address has already been updated from @AWalkInTheGdn to @Explore_SE

This does not change how you will get your magazine, as awalkinthethegarden.co.uk will still be available and will also include posts added to the Explore South East website.

More about how the magazine changes will be available soon, along with information on 2014 subscriptions.

A Walk in the Garden Issue 8

Issue 8 coverSpring on the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a wonderful time to see blankets of my particular favourite wild flower, Bluebells that decorate our woodlands.

The Spring on the Downs walk takes you through some of the best scenery our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty including Kings Wood which is a great place to enjoy sights of wild flora and woodland animals.

Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is the featured family day out this issue.  For a child’s eye perspective, Lewis, aged 6, gives his verdict of his recent visit to Port Lympne.   Also in this edition, the Kent County Show is just around the corner and promises to be the best yet, find out why in the show preview.

There’s A Long Way To Go

Back on the subject of looking at maps and planning the next great venture into the Garden of England’s glorious countryside.  Have you ever considered walking one of Kent’s promoted long distance trail?

There are twelve long distance trails that Kent plays host to, all of varying lengths from fifteen miles all the way up to one hundred and sixty miles.  Each has a unique character, be that the seaside, the historic significance or beautiful countryside the route shows off along its course.  The grandest of all the long distance walks in the county is the North Downs Way National Trail.  This route shadows and takes inspiration from the Pilgrims Way, an historic route which was taken by pilgrims to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury from its beginning at Winchester.  The longest trail is the Saxon Shore Way which starts at Gravesend and follows the shoreline as it would have been over one thousand five hundred years ago ending at Cliffend in East Sussex.  The third route to reach over one hundred miles in distance is the Greensand Way, which traces the chalk and sandy ridge between Hamstreet and Haslemere in neighbouring county, Surrey.

The shorter routes flow with the landscape.  A waterside theme for the Royal Military Canal, Medway Valley and Stour Valley walks.  The Elham Valley Way follows the old railway line from Hythe to Canterbury.  Artistic inspiration can be found on the Darent Valley Path between Dartford and Sevenoaks.  For beautiful landscapes and panoramic views in the Weald of Kent, the Eden Valley Walk, Wealdway and High Weald Landscape Trail are the ones for you.

The two trails that I am looking to walk for both pleasure and research for A Walk in the Garden magazine features are the Medway Valley Walk, a thirty mile route following the flow of the River Medway from Rochester through Maidstone to Tonbridge.  Maidstone sits perfectly as a halfway point splitting the days walking into two manageable fifteen mile treks.  The second trail is the Eden Valley Walk, which is the shortest of the promoted trails in Kent at just fifteen miles in length starting at Tonbridge and finishing in the far west of the county in Edenbridge.

It is best to do a little research as to what you can expect to discover on and nearby a trail as there may be a significant point of interest within a few minutes’ walk from the trail making sure you are not left disappointed to have missed anything on route.  Factor in the addition time required as well so you are at leisure rather than in a time-trial.  With the Medway Valley Walk, I would add another day to my plan if I felt I would like more time to explore.

Summerhouse Hill – Where Solitude Sometimes Is

Summerhouse Hill - where solitude somtimes isEveryone has a place they can visit to digest and forget the stresses of modern day life.  Some may find this on a river bank, by the sea, in their own back garden or hidden away in nearby woodland.  For me, it is Summerhouse Hill, a place where solitude sometimes is.

Next door to the grander and busier Tolsford Hill, Summerhouse Hill is a vantage point that requires intent to visit whereas the neighbouring plateau plays host to the Elham Valley Way, Saxon Shore Way and the North Downs Way national trail.  Add the grazing cattle and constant reminders of the army using the area for training; Summerhouse Hill is most definitely a better choice for relaxing with a nice cup of hot chocolate and a panoramic vista.

Climbing the south face of the hill may sound impressive, but it is a short yet steep climb.  One that is enough to get my asthma over excited enough to need a couple of puffs of my Ventolin inhaler.  The northern slop is a longer, much gentler affair.  Common sense would suggest this route, but the idiot inside always persuades me up the silly side.

The reward for venturing up this 165 metre (above sea level) monster is unhindered sights across the southern Kent countryside from Ashford and its nearby villages, over the Romney Marshes as far as Rye and out to sea on the busy English Channel.  Cars zoom along on the distant M20 motorway and the occasional Eurostar and domestic train service makes its way to and from London, just watching the world go by while pouring a second cup of hot chocolate from the flask.

Summerhouse Hill adorns the front cover of A Walk in the Garden’s first ever magazine, published in September 2011.  Read this issue and every issue since with a subscription of just £4.99 in 2013.  For more information, explore the Subscriptions page.

Having Fun With Maps

I spend a lot of time looking at Ordnance Survey maps, probably just as much as actually walking in the great Kent countryside.   Using the maps to plot a route and the likely terrain including points of interest is a great way of understanding what to expect on a countryside stroll.

Using on-screen mapping such as Ordnance Survey’s Get A Map online service and Memory Map’s downloadable software, you can draw your routes, check distances which are set in kilometres and additional features of elevation changes and estimated time to each waypoint as well the journey as a whole.

I use both of these for different purposes; Get A Map has great accessibility as I can log in to it from any computer connected to the internet.  I also use it to illustrate walk routes for A Walk in the Garden magazine, under licence.

With Memory Map, I plot everything from waymarks of benches with great views to ridiculously long trails I would one day like to walk.  A great feature of Memory Map is the option to see the terrain in 3D, making the map contours come to life.  Seeing the valleys and hills presented in this way really makes a big difference to understanding elevations and likely vantage points for views across the land.

Another great tool is Google Earth.  Seeing your route with satellite imagery certainly enhances your expectations along a route and helps with identifying landmarks, such as building and treelines for navigation on your walk.

An interesting version of mapping is available from Cassani Maps.  These historical maps are dated from 1805 to 1926 and are 1:50,000 the same as modern day Landranger maps making comparison easy and also astonishing when you see tiny villages of 200 years ago now wide spread towns many times the size.

However you like to plan your trail, it is always best to have a map and compass in your bag when you go out, even if you use a mobile device to see a map on screen as the batteries never run out on paper maps or the earth’s magnetic field.

External Links:

Ordnance Survey, Memory Map, Google Earth, Cassani Maps

 

What is an AONB?

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is just that. In Kent, it offers fantastic panoramic views and places great historical interest and stunning landscapes in the form of woodland, open landscapes and coastal beauty spots. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are protected landscapes are classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are areas that have been shaped by centuries of human activity, but remain unspoilt by the modern obsession of creating plagues of generic housing estates or of busy industrial areas. Farmland is more common place as is open, flowing downs.

National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are both legally equal with the main differences between the two is National Parks are run by their own authority whereas AONBs are maintained by the local authority. Another difference is National Parks being obligated to provide accessible recreation, open access as the best example. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty does not have to do this so access stays along public rights of way.

Since the Countryside and Rights of Way Act of 2000 came in to force in England and Wales, the public can venture freely within Open Access Land and common land without having to stay to a defined footpath.  For open countryside areas, this is marked on Ordnance Survey Explorer maps in a tanned colour and a marker on gates and styles of a person walking on land, coloured brown, with the words Access Land clearly shown.  On Open Access Land you are free to walk, run, explore, climb and watch wildlife and on the Kent Downs, Folkestone’s hilly downland is a great example of providing all these activities along with amazing views across the English Channel.

As the eighth largest out of thirty seven AONBs in England and Wales, the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers an area of 878 square kilometres from the Surrey border near Westerham to the White Clilffs Dover. The Kent Downs follows a large stretch of chalk which forms the AONB’s foremost geographical feature. In addition to the chalk land, northern parts of the Romney Marshes and high points of the Greensand ridge are under the wing of the Kent Downs AONB.

The Kent Downs is within a short journey for those not living within its boundaries. Some of the man highlights include Toys Hill near Sevenoaks, Kits Coty near Bluebell Hill, Samphire Hoe near Dover as well as castle, nature reserves, country parks and grand stately manors. There is so much to explore on the Kent Downs.

A Walk in the Garden Issue 7 – Spring 2013

Issue7coverThis is a special issue for me, as it features my favourite day out.  Ever since I was a young boy, Dover Castle has always been an enjoyable day of running around, pretending to be Indiana Jones looking for treasure, but without the hat or ability to find any treasure.  I have the hat now though, still no treasure. Spring is a time for new beginnings and A Walk in the Garden is no different.  Now publishing new editions online rather than in print, not only is the magazine more eco-friendly, but can be downloaded for offline reading.   Each edition in 2013 will have walks, family days out and all the regulars from Pews with Views to what’s new In the Garden and great Scenic Kent views.

Issue 7 will be available to read in the subscribers area from 1st March, along with all previous editions of A Walk in the Garden.

Find out more about subscribing to A Walk in the Garden on the Subscriptions page

Spring On The Kent Downs

Bluebell in the spring1Wye, an historic village and a cross roads for two major trekking routes, the North Downs Way one of the country’s national paths and also the Stour Valley Walk which follows the beautiful landscape that the River Stour runs.

Right from the very start the grounds of Wye’s church with flowers bright in the spring sun. The route takes a short journey past allotments and the College grounds and in minutes open countryside and the Downs are showing off the best in the early morning light. Picking up the Stour Valley Walk, heading north east towards the first waypoint, Crundale, through the trees and suddenly out in to spectacular panoramic views across to King’s Wood. Along the rolling elevations, back in to a tree hidden track, the first sight of Bluebells, my favourite of the wild plants. Heading through the green grass track around a freshly ploughed field and past Crundale House, a short sharp accent brings the charming sight of an ancient parish church, also a wonderfully placed bench for a rest and to take in the surroundings.

The path to Godmersham Park switches between county lane and field track through to and past Eggerton Manor. A scenic treat all the way through the peaceful countryside and even though the A28, the main road from Ashford to Canterbury, is near, no road noise spoils the bird song. Upon reaching the A28 crossing, waiting for a safe gap, and venture down the driveway to Godmersham Park. The house on these ground was owned by the Brother of Jane Austin, who based her novel, Pride and Prejudice on the people and picturesque landscape of Godmersham. Crossing the River Stour as it lazily flows to Pegwell Bay, and heading through the park grounds aiming for the climb in to King’s Wood and hopeful of the sight of more Bluebells.

The ancient woodland, King’s Wood is home to many tree species and a highlight, if you are lucky, the sight of Deer freely living in woods. Shaded track welcome in the midday sun, there are many discoveries to be made even on the main route. There is a style that takes you on to the hill above Godmersham Park and amazing views across Kent’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Further along, a magical find of a bench carved from an old tree is hidden just off the path. Then after being treated to a blanket of Bluebells, just before the decent to Boughton Aluph, another bench with stunning sights asks another rest to digest the view. Taking time to discover the many treats in King’s Wood is a great family day out.

The path leads downhill through farmland and past the church at Boughton Aluph and turning back to Wye, soon coming to the second crossing of the A28 leads in to grounds of Perry Court Farm apple orchards. Home to a farm shop and a homemade speciality, Apple Crisps, Perry Court Farm shop has been running for over 50 years now.  Passing the farm orchards, a couple more fields takes the route back to roads and into Wye. Across the rail tracks and another crossing over the River Stour, the Tickled Trout pub, with its riverside garden is hard to resist on a warm sunny day and ends the day’s walk.

Every part of this walk proving Kent’s claim as the Garden of England and why this is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Elham Valley Way

Heading down to Covert WoodThe Elham Valley way weaves through the heart of the Kent Downs.  Starting from City of Canterbury and finishing 22 miles to the south in the picturesque coastal town of Hythe, following the course of the Elham Valley Railway.

In 1881, the Elham Valley Light Railway Company were granted permission to build a line from Folkestone to Canterbury, serving the villages of Lyminge, Elham, Barham, Bishopsbourne, and Bridge.  In 1887 the Shornecliffe to Barham section was opened and was soon followed by the completion of the railway to Canterbury in 1889.  The prominence of the Elham Valley line came when it was used as a diversionary route in 1915 after a landslip at Folkestone Warren blocked the mainline to and from Dover.  Used in both World Wars for storage and a huge railway mounted gun that could fire shells over 12 miles, which was kept hidden in Bourne Park Tunnel.  After being returned to public service in 1946, the railway could not compete commercially with the road transport and was closed in 1947.  Three stations still exist today, Lyminge public library and two private residents Bishopsbourne and Bridge.  A railway museum at Peene contains many artefacts of the railway’s past as well as a working model of the Elham Valley Railway.

Starting by the Cathedral in Canterbury, the city streets soon give way to quieter suburban roads and then open countryside tracks that lead to small villages of Patrixbourne and Bridge.  A short distance along the route from Bridge is the grand 2000 acre estate of Bourne Park, a famous guest being Mozart in 1765.  Just past Bourne Park is the village of Bishopsbourne.  This village was home of Richard Hooker, who in the 16th century played a signiciant role in the development of the Anglican Church.  Bishopsbourne Paddock was a cricket ground for Bourne Park and staged many first class matches from 1766 to 1790.  Past the outskirts of Barham, the ancient woodland, Covert Wood provides an inspiring view across the valley before descending in to the tree lined country lane.

Leaving the wood and heading downhill, the Elham Valley Way crosses over the busy country road and rises sharply again up the valley side.  There are many opportunities for distant and panoramic views from the regular vantage points to Elham.  Proudly holding the title of Kent Village of 2011, this idyllic village dates back as a settlement to the Neolithic age, with finds dating back over ten thousand years.  Heading south to through Lyminge and the Etchinghill Golf Course, the Elham Valley Way heads up Tolsford Hill which is one of the highest points in Kent, giving stunning views from Ashford to Rye across the Romney Marsh and out to the world’s busiest shipping lane, the English Channel.  Back downhill, the descent is consistent to Peene along the actual route the trains would have taken.

Across the M20 motorway, the Elham Valley Way leads to Dibgate Camp, an Army training facility, before crossing Sene Valley Golf Course.  The final descent in to Hythe offers a final vista over the Romney Marsh before reaching Hythe.

Subscribe to A Walk in the Garden

Autumn11Subscribe to A Walk in the Garden for 2013 and receive online copies of all 5 new magazines direct to your email inbox as well as access to all previously released editions.  Other great benefits of subscribing are a selection of hi-res Scenic Kent pictures to use as your desktop background and online walk routes with Ordnance Survey mapping.

See the Subscriptions page for full details.