West Kent Walking Group

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle lived at Windlesham Manor Crowborough for 23 years until his death in 1930. He is best known for writing 56 short stories and 4 long stories featuring Sherlock Holmes, including The Final Problem. We head out past Conan Doyle’s Statue at Crowborough Cross, and Westwards into Ashdown Forest through an area known as Bunker’s Hill, before climbing up to Church Hill, with splendid views back to where we have just walked. We cross the road and enter Five Hundred Acre Wood, known as 100 Acre Wood in the Winnie the Pooh stories, first published in October 1926. Joining the Wealdway near Fisher’s gate, we head west then southwest climbing out of Five Hundred Acre Wood, with splendid views across the valley to Gill’s Lap, before we reach our lunch stop at Greenwood Gate Clump. This is one of the highest points in the High Weald AONB at 732 feet (223 m) and the highest point on the Wealdway. After lunch we head down past Old Mill Farm, then climb up to and through Crowborough Warren before leaving the Forest at Heave gate. This is one of the 42 known entry/exit points to the forest and was historically the eastern gate for the East Grinstead to Rotherfield road. We head back to the start via Warren Road and Beacon Road.
Optional Drink in a local pub afterwards.

Starting in the village of Rotherfield, we'll walk up to the high point of the walk (literally) - the tower at the top of Saxonbury Hill which was built as a folly/lookout point for the 2nd Earl of Abergavenny, owner of the Eridge Park Estate, on whose land it is located If the weather is OK we will stop there for drinks/snacks. Our return route is via the beautiful woodland to the north of Rotherfield.
There are two pubs close to the end of the route in the village - Catts Inn (drinks only) or the Kings Arms, which does sandwiches, tapas and full meals.

NB: There is a £2 payment required for non-Ramblers Assoc. members to help cover our Meetup costs. Please help the walk leader by bringing the exact change.Ramblers members are welcome on any of our walks, but we would still encourage you to RSVP on Meetup. This will give our volunteer walk leaders an idea of how many are attending, and also keep the numbers manageable. If, on the day of the walk, you are still on the waiting list and a Ramblers member, you can attend - just let the walk leader know you are coming by adding a comment 'Coming as a Rambler'. You will find the start location via our website

This 7 mile (11.27km) walk is very flat. No hills at all and only 2 stiles! We start at the junction of Norfolk Road, Mark Lane and Wharf Road and walk along the Thames and Medway Canal stopping after 3 miles for a 15 minute break. We then cut across a field to the banks of the River Thames. This section of the river is known as the Saxon Shore Way. We continue walking along the river, past a lighthouse and the old Shornemead Fort until we reach the Ship and Lobster Public House where hot food is available. You may choose to stop here or continue to walk for one more minute to the starting point. Please be prepared for a few muddy puddles.

Parking is available along the road and in the adjacent industrial estate.