Luddesdown - and the Dog

The North Downs offers some surprising places to visit and so back on our trips again we paid a visit to Luddesdown close to Shorne, Cobham and Camer country parks.  This was my second visit so as before we stopped at the Golden Lion before midday and went for a short walk up Cutter's Road from the pub and crossed to Luddesdown Court passing behind the farm which was getting ready for its open afternoon.  We walked, we three with grand sight of the downs all around us, ripening barley and wheat and the sound of cattle protesting being cut off from their calves. 

The path leads past the Court to the church and links up with the Weald Way path from Camer Country Park.  We had a look at the church and then discussed the possibility of walking paths down past the cricket ground and decided to take the road back to the Pub for a drink and lunch.  As expexcted the fare was simple but priced right and good - even the beer was good.  Zoid the dog behaved himself and we felt at home.  As a base for hiking in the area I would say the Golden Lion is a good choice being on the hub of many footpaths and part of circular walks in the area.  For the intrepid walker there is Holly Hill above Birling to visit and on the way pass by Dode Church or alternatively park at Holly Hill and walk down to the pub and back.  The Weald Way passes close by. 

However after lunch we walked up the lane opposite the Lion and took the first path on the left crossing a paddock with a couple of grazing horses and so over the hill back to Luddesdown where we stood overlooking the cricket ground.  We turned right from there following the ridge and followed the path into the privately owned woodlands.  A fresh breeze cooled us down and my Sister who suffers from the heat was revived from her degenerating lethargic state.  Even so it was still hot as the woods were open being coppiced but it was worth it when we again looked down on Luddesdown. 

We resorted to the road following it past the cricket ground and back to the pub.  On the way we had to stand aside for two tractors towing trailers giving visitors rides around the farm.  Children waved.  we waved and so did some of the more enlightened adults. 

Luddesdown farm was set up as an organic farm in 1986 serving the local area with wholesome food.  I expect they also sell goods on the general market too but are not subject to the demands of the greedy supermarkets. (I hope)

Below I have added a couple of poems that reflect my thoughts about the Downs.  They relate to my Sister and I and our casual walking.


The North Downs by James Apps



We walk, you and I, gazing

Where wind sings in the trees

And passing memories brushing

Our thoughts, bend gracefully

With the breeze.

You look for small animals;

I see weary plodding pilgrims

And hear their irreverent tales;

You like my explanation, we both

Enjoy the peace.

Below traffic hums a pilgrimage

Remote from these gentle hills,

You see a rabbit sit up and dodge

Away at our coming; a lark twitters

Above the fields.



These days of green and yellow

Draw our footfalls to echo softly

Where others more dedicated flow;

Yet our exploring feet are not lonely

Treading the past.

There, ahead the path drops, steep

Our feet carry us down to the roadway,

Past curious and run away sheep,

Puzzling at our appearance, worried

Until we pass by.

Pilgrims Way



This roadway where Chaucer trod,

Noble Knights and travellers plod,

Inn keepers where their vittals kept

Once where weary pilgrims slept,

We too stop to take our casual care,

Sample ploughman’s common fare,

Drink coffee brew and local ales

And rest awhiles to tell our tales.

Walking on Toy's Hill - National Trust

With a need to give the dog Zoid some exercise and to enjoy a shady summer walk we chose to explore Toy's Hill near Sevenoaks in Kent.  A wise decision as it turned out.  The dog loved it and was so eager to get in the car for the ride there we had to drag him out to put the covers down on the rear seat used to dog protect the upholstery. He almost strangled himself trying to get out of the car when we arrived at the The Fox and Hounds car park.  A short walk in the woods, a drink and we took him into the dog friendly pub bar and had coffee and a drink - there is a dog bowl provided.  The landlord was extremely welcoming and handed us the Toy's Hill walking map and told us of the terrain we were likely to experience.  Lunch was light by choice but excellent and the beer I had was most excellent. We liked the look of the menu which is both affordable and varied.  Top notch value for money.

Toy's Hill is one of the highest points in Kent and during the 1987 hurricane suffered damage to many of its trees.  We took a short walk before lunch more to enjoy the day and give the dog a reason for being with us and saw much evidence of downed trees, their root clumps vertical and trunks laying on the ground.  What amazed us was the way branches were now growing like trees themselves and some indeed wheer the main trunk was rotting had formed roots of their own.  We were amazed too that some large trees had survived the blast of what we agreed was the Michael Fish Effect (MFE) and made some cruel jokes about weather forecasters. 

However, aside from the MFE the woods on Toys Hill are beautiful and more so at this time of the year when the trees are at their peak, mature green and enjoying the spring growth and summer strength.  The walking is cool and varied with easy slopes and some pleasantly challenging climbs for the nearly knackered and overweight casual walkers - even the dog was panting - eitehr from frustration at our slow progress or overweight not having been walked enough during the last month.

Toy's Hill is close to Emmetts Garden  as indeed a path passes through it.  It has some bridleways which are used so be careful to watch for horses and also incorporates part of the Greensand Way.  As casual walkers we didn't 'do' all of the tracks but instead wandered some of them enjoying the undulating terrain and the view from lookout points. 

The woods are kept in a natural state and the paths and walkways clear and yet unobtrusive - you know you are on a path but it seems natural to be there even although they are obviously formed. 

Points of interest are the site of Weardale Manor and the Bat Tower.  The manor was a country retreat but fell in to disrepair and was eventually destroyed.  The Bat Tower was a water tower now converted to provide a home for hibernating bats.  I like that.

Something of a disappointment was that in the very informative brochure theer is a picture of some Adders but we did not see any.  Adders and Vipers were once my boyhood interest and I would like to see some on our walks.

We spent a pleasant afternoon strolling around and decided that Toy's Hill, a walk to Ide Hill was a good idea for a day out later in the year. We may even take a look at Emmetts Garden but unfortunately we will not be able to take the dog. A pity that because even dogs like some cultural enlightenment.

A final note: we were reminded by a fellow dog walker that Toy's Hill, Ide Hill and Emmetts and places like Knole Park are not from from London and other than the fact that there was congestion on the M20 which we had to skirt around we would not have realised how close we are.