The Ringlestone Arms has a history well known in Kent for the oddities of the two women, a mother and daughter, that once owned it. The pub is ancient - we sat in a bench chair dating from 1620 - with brick floors and wooden beams and this time of the year a huge welcoming fire.
However the objective of what was a cold November day was to walk and enjoy some exercise. We set off, wrapped up warm with a map for guidance intending to follow a route that took us in a loop touching closely on the village of Frinstead and Wormshill. The intention was to enjoy a walk and a lunch with perhaps the option of another walk afterwards.
Instead we walked to Frinstead via indifferently marked footpaths and then to Wormshill. From there we walked along the road to Ringlestone passing the point where we had expected to emerge. Yew Tree farm was the targetbut not to be. Blame it on the Sat-Nav.
As it turned out the walk was worth it when as we walked alomng the top of the hill exposed to the wind and the as yet un-melted frost the sun bravely warmed the land adding color to the mid Autumn scenery. Trees not yet totally stripped of their leaves caught the sunlight that glinted off the yellowing foliage and gave the grass and undergrowth an extra fillip of brightness.
Passing through Wormshill I posed for a photo beside the still used Victorian red postbox; reflecting on the existance of post boxes in Downs villages and wondering how many are pre ER. I know some are GR but not all are in use.
Returning to the Ringlestone Arms my sister changed her shoes for clean ones that she had in the car and I politely allowed my shoes to be covered in thoughtfully supplied boot covers in the lobby before entering. Serving a modest lunch menu we chose a vegetarian pie which was tasty and of the right size serving to fill but not to bloat. On a Summer day a pre-lunch walk taken and to eat and take some of the Shepherd and Neame beer is a good recipe with the right size serving to enjoy a full day hiking. This must be a date for next year.
In addition Ringlestone is small and pretty and even in the cold weather is well worth a visit. The view from the pub car park is magnificent.
