Welcome to Capital Walkers, the friendly London Ramblers group for people aged 40+. We walk every weekend and usually at least once during the week.
Simon S.
Join us for the third stage of the Wealdway, from Tonbridge to Ashurst (Kent), continuing our journey which eventually goes all the way to Eastbourne on the South Coast! The walk will be brisk (2.5-3 miles/hour) and mostly gently undulating, but with a few steeper sections - and may be muddy (so you may want to wear gaiters and/or bring poles if you use them).
On our way out of Tonbridge, we pass the ancient castle and then follow the River Medway, passing through Haysden Country Park before heading to higher ground through the villages of Bidborough, Speldhurst and Fordcombe and winding our way across farmland to Ashurst on the Kent-East Sussex border.
Please bring a packed lunch - we will stop either in Bidborough or Speldhurst depending on timing.
Alas there is no pub in Ashurst but we will stop for refreshments (hot/cold drinks) at the Chafford Arms in Fordcombe after about 9 miles.
Exit points: None
Travel: Take the 09:37 train from London Victoria, arriving at Tonbridge at 10:18.
On the return journey, trains depart from Ashurst (Kent) at xx58 to Hurst Green, with connections to London Bridge calling at East Croydon - we should catch the 1658 even with the refreshment stop in Fordcombe. Note that there are no trains to Victoria on this day, although there is a replacement bus service in operation between East Croydon and Clapham Junction (but you may be quicker to find an alternative route from London Bridge).
You are recommended to buy two single tickets as Tonbridge and Ashurst are on different lines.
No booking required.
The finishing time is an estimate only and will be dependent on a number of factors such as, weather, the speed at which the group walks and the number of breaks taken.
Tonbridge Railway Station Meet in front of the station after the ticket barriers
Ashurst Railway Station
