Around Penshurst Place

A day out in the countryside is always a pleasant thing and is made much better when the weather is good. This November day Kent looked magnificent and was waiting to be walked on, visited and driven through.

We decided to re-visit Penshurstand take a walk to the park instead of guessing our way around without a map. There was a rumor that a map could be obtained from the gift shop in the park itself so we dids't take a walk there, located the leaflets and partook of a cup of coffee brewed and sold for a donation to a charity by a hard working lady. We parked in the village near the church and Liecester Square and from there we walked to the gift shop meeting many walkers on their way from elsewhere coming in the opposite direction. No matter. We had no idea where we going to end up until we had the leaflets.

The idea was to walk and look back at the view as we climbed and perhaps do the shorter walk but instead we chose to do the longer route and as a result we made the right choice. We were warm and feeling good from the cooler weather and happy to walk on a well mapped path. The attraction apart from the views across the fields and the park itself was the huge Oak trees dotted around the estate. The woods showing autumn colors and the flocks of birds diving and flying; crows landing and feeding on the insects in the soil.

The day was wonderfully bright and warm for early November and although at times I took off my coat I did have to put it back feeling the nip in the air suggesting winter is not far off. The weather belied that thought and we basked in warm sunshine. There were two walks offered, the Parkland Walk and the Riversdie Walk. We chose the parkland walk and was treated to lovely views back toward Penshurst Place and when we reached the top views across the weald and as far as Tonbridge. The path climbs from the car park normally reserved for visitors bypassing Well Place to join a cycle way (route 12) and deviates past some charming houses to the river Eden and then across the fields to the banks of the Medway.

We crossed a field where some beautiful cows were gathering near the water troughs looking content.

We thought this was a nice touch as we have followed the Medway during the summer and early autumn. The path leaves the river and follows a busy road but we used part of the cycle track and when a path was offered further along the road we took it to avoid the vehicles that seemed to want to hurry along and miss the bright day.

The path climbs a hill and again we can view Tonbridge in the distance. Walk through a squeeze gate and onto an avenue of what we think might be Maples and then down through another avenue of Beech to the parkland passing the shattered oak and back to the village via the church. The oak is given the title 'Sidney Oak' to reflect the fact that it was there when Sir Philip Sidney of Elizabethan times was alive. From the size of it one would deduce that it is much older than 450 years since then and perhaps was closer to 800 years old. I think the fence is new.

Take this walk and enjoy it. The cycle track is linked to the Hayesden Park tracks and if you have the time try a walk either from the Country park to Penshurst and back or perhaps start from Penshurst early in the morning and walk back over the hills to the village allowing for a visit to the Liecester Arms for a meal. I suggest making it know you want to return and imbibe. Of course you need to look into the church where the Sidney family have their tombs.

I believe we will return for the riverside walks if the weather holds.

The Compasses Pub and beyond

Happy, friendly staff inside The Compasses

My intrepid Sister and I, now on our own peculiar pilgrimage along and beside the Pilgrim's Way, decided that after the visit to Chilham we should have look at Sole Street close to Chartham. As you can see we are getting closer to Canterbury but not yet committed to crawling on our knees to pay homage to St Thomas a Beckett. The day was sunny and warmer than most although there was a little snow on the ground on the hills and as we travelled along the A20. As you can see from our other posts we often lunch at a local pub. The criteria is that the pub must not be a plastic fantastic and preferably serve real ales or in Kent Shepheard Neame, and offer good food at affordable prices. The idea is to walk the paths in the area or to spend time exploring the town or village or a natural feature, historic monument or simply becasue we have not been there before.

The Compasses Pub - a pleasantly located pub with good food and a beer garden for summer.

In this case we looked on the map and saw Sole Street and the convenient pub plus a Woodland Trust forest not far away. Denge Woods seemed an ideal place to go for a stroll although we expected after the snow and rain to put up with mud and soggy tracks. Plan of action: have a cup of coffee in the pub and go for a stroll locally; have lunch and then drive on to Denge wooods for a walk.

The view across the fields to Anvil Green

We stuck to the plan and enjoyed a sunny walk that took us into farmlands and gave us an inkling into what the area has to offer. We had arrived the long way round from Godmersham and on the way there were some tempting hill paths to walk which if we had more time, limited by the daylight hours, we may have walked through those as well. The trick is to head back to where Crundale is supposed to be on the map (park at the pub and book a table for lunch - more about that later) and look for the footpath as you go down the hill. Thios will lead you across fields to Barton Wood and from there you will find paths into Denge wood itself as well as a cross paths back to Sole Street.

A muddy track in Denge Wood

As for the Woodlands Trust area it was up to its usual high standard of treatment and probably because we lingered a little over lunch it was getting toward mid afternoon by the time we reached there but it was well worth it. There is plenty to see and with that odd attraction of winter when the silver birches stand out starkly against the cold skies and accentuate the bare woods and the undergrowth battered by the elements yet struggling to put on a brave show we lingered a little looking the scenery. And although this was mid winter it was warm and glowing and in the centre of the clearing - shown on the right - there was a seat for visitors to sit and enjoy the vista. We also found grass straw and footprints on the path that suggested a badger carrying nesting material. The problem with a short walk in the woods is that there are more to be seen and so we determined to return especially when the bluebells are in bloom!

Now, as for the Comapasses: the place is 15th Century, low ceilinged with a warm fire for winter and a varied program of events to attract visitors but that is not the attraction. The food is excellent and well presented, does not cost an arm and a leg and as this was St Valentine's Day there was a menu offered to suit. I noted from the events board that a special meal was on for Mother's Day. Again, that is not the attraction. The staff are friendly and for us they reserved the table we were sitting at for our coffee earlier on and welcomed us with smiles and unobtrusive service - now that is real skill!

The pub is a weekend friendly place and made our visit to the area well worth while. Maybe we can use that as a pilgrimage of sorts and go there in the summer for a longer walk.