Walking ........

Mick Kendall London Excise

Room 5.29 Dorset House

Stamford Street

London SE1 9NG ............Tel: 020 8929 6550

Regular events around the country. Annual Snowdonian Challenge.

Gordon Hodson is the Retired link:- ghodson@waitrose.com

Events 2009 London Autumn WalkBorough Green, Kent

Friday 2nd October 2009

Information Sheet

PLEASE ENSURE ALL TEAM MEMBERS READ THIS INFORMATION SHEET

All departmental participants must be members of the RCSL (i.e.  the former C&E Sports Club or IR Sports Association) and will be required to confirm membership on their entry form.  .  Please note that if you join on the day you will not be covered by RCSL insurance until your membership has been processed.

Friends, family and other non-departmental guests may accompany members strictly at their own risk.

VENUE:                       Borough Green, Kent.

START LOCATION:  Black Horse.  Grid Ref.  611571.  See below for full directions.

1.   TRAVEL DIRECTIONS:

By Road.

From M25 Westbound (clockwise). 

Leave the M25 at Junction 3 and join the M20 towards Dover, Channel Tunnel and Maidstone.  Follow the M20 for 6.8 miles and exit at Junction 2, signed Paddock Wood, A20.  At the roundabout take the third available exit on to the A20 (London Road) signed Gravesend, Tonbridge.  After 0.9 miles come to another roundabout and take the third available exit signed M20, M26, continuing on the A20 (London Road) for 0.4 miles to yet another roundabout.  Take the third available exit on to the A227 signed Tonbridge, Borough Green and after 1.3 miles reach Borough Green & Wrotham station on the right.

From M25 Eastbound (anti-clockwise). 

 Approaching Junction 5 on the M25 take the centre or right hand lane and leave the M25 bearing right on to the M26 (start of motorway) towards Maidstone, Channel Tunnel and Dover.  Follow the M26 for 7.9 miles and exit at Junction 2A, signed Wrotham, Paddock Wood, Gravesend.  At the roundabout take the first available exit on to the A20 (London Road) signed West Kingsdown, Wrotham.  After 0.9 miles come to another roundabout and take the first available exit on to the A227 signed Tonbridge, Borough Green.  After 1.3 miles reach Borough Green & Wrotham station on the right.

Parking

Please see the local map on page 3.  There is no parking available at the Black Horse (the start and finish) itself.

We recommend that you park in either the station car park (£3.40 per day) or the Western Road car park  - entrance from Western Road only, (£1.50 six to nine hours, £3.90 over nine hours).  Both usually have spaces available.  However, if they are full, on-street parking is available in Harrison Road and the roads off it, accessed from Quarry Hill Road.  If you do need to use these roads, please park considerately and do not obstruct driveways.

To reach the Black Horse from the Western Road car park, leave the car park by the gap at the back  opposite the entrance, emerge on the A25 Maidstone Road opposite the Zeera  Indian Restaurant and turn left, cross the bottom of High Street, cross the A25 by the pedestrian lights and continue along the A25 for 400 yards.  

To reach the Black Horse from the on-street parking area follow the path at the end of Harrison Road through the park.

By Rail.

Borough Green & Wrotham station is served from London Victoria.

There is a half hourly service departing Victoria at approx. 18 and 48 minutes past the hour and journey time is approx. 45 minutes.

Return trains depart at approx. 17 and 47 minutes past the hour.

All trains call at Bromley South.

Note: Please allow a few minutes as some trains in both directions depart a minute or two earlier (or later) than this norm.

Off-peak return Victoria to Borough Green (after 09.30)       £10.90

Standard return                                                                       £13.50

Three or four adults travelling together can travel off-peak for the price of two - please see http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/group-save.aspx

Directions from the station to the start .

Turn right out of the station exit and walk up the approach road to the main road (A227). Turn right and cross by the pedestrian crossing. Continue for a few yards before turning left down Station Road. Follow this to the main A25, Maidstone Road. Turn left and cross by the pedestrian crossing. The Black Horse is on the right a little further on.

2.   ROUTES and START TIMES:

There are four routes:

Short:             5.4 miles

                Or   7.0 miles                   start times:  0900 – 1130 

Medium:         11.5 miles                 start times:  0900 – 1100

Long:              15.9 miles                 start times:  0900 - 1030

There is no buggy route on this occasion due to the terrain.

OS MAP:        All routes use OS Explorer 147:  Sevenoaks & Tonbridge

3.   START AND FINISH LOCATION:

All walks start and finish at The Black Horse, Maidstone Road, Borough Green, Kent TN15 8HF  (Grid Ref.  611571).  There is ample parking in the area (see above) but no parking available at The Black Horse itself.  Toilets and drinking water will be available at the start.  Please assist us by completing your entry form in advance and bringing it with you.

4.   START DETAILS:

There are staggered start-times from 09:00 to 11:30 depending on the length of your chosen walk (see ‘Routes’ above) and to allow time for those with long journeys to arrive.  For safety reasons, walkers will not be issued with directions after the latest start time shown for their walk.

On arrival please report to the check in point at The Black Horse.  You will be provided with full directions for your chosen route.  Maps showing the routes will be on display, but will not be available for you to take with you.  If you want to use a map, you should bring OS Explorer map 147: Sevenoaks & Tonbridge.

Please also bring an A4 plastic document wallet to put your directions in for protection against the elements.

5.   ENTRIES AND FEES:

We will be taking entries on the day only - not in advance.  However we have attached an entry form for you to complete and bring with you to save congestion at the start.  There is the normal £2.50 charity donation for ‘Friends at Work’ (see page 9) which is payable on the day.  Please try to have the correct money.

6.   FACILITIES:

The Black Horse:

Toilets, drinking water at the start and all public house facilities including real ale and food from 12.00.

The nearby petrol station has a shop selling newspapers and the usual fare.

Borough Green: Station and High Street  (plus Western Road and Maidstone Road – see map on page 3):

Selection of shops including:

A small Co-operative supermarket next to the station, Banks (Barclays, NatWest), Newsagents/General stores, Post Office, Bakers/cafe, Chemist, Grocer, Fish and chip shops (2), Kebab house, Indian restaurants (2), Chinese takeaways (2), Bar/Pizzeria etc.

Yopps Green (short walks):

The Golding Hop.  Free House.  Open 11.00 to 14.30.  Real ales and ciders served under gravity.  Bar snacks (12.00 to 14.00).  Toilets.

Plaxtol (short 7.0 mile walk):

The Papermakers Arms.  Free House.  Open all day from 12.00. Real ales and food (12.00 to 14.00). Toilets.

Post Office and Village Stores.

Shipbourne (medium and long walks):

The Chaser.  Free House. Open all day from 12.00. Real ales and food. Toilets.

Ightham Mote (medium and long walks):

National Trust tea room and gift shop. Open 10.00 to 17.00. Toilets.

Stone Street (medium walk):

The Padwell Arms. Free House. Open 12.00 to 15.00. Real ales and food (to 14.00). Toilets.

Knole Park (long walk):

National Trust tea room and gift shop. Open 10.00 to 17.00. Toilets.

Godden Green (long walk):

The Buck’s Head. Shepherd Neame. Open 12.00 to 15.00. Real ales and food (to 14.00). Toilets.

Crown Point (medium and long walks):

The Crown Point. “Beefeater” style chain pub. Open all day from 12.00. Food (to 15.00). Toilets.

Please remove or cover muddy boots when visiting any of the retail facilities.

7.   THE AREA:

Borough Green was originally the common land of the ancient borough of Wrotham, the village a mile or so to the north. The rural economy was based on sheep, agriculture and paper making, there being several water powered paper mills in the surrounding area. These are all now defunct but traces of them can be seen where the walks follow streams. The abundant deposits of sand in the vicinity were, and are, quarried and the arrival of the railway in the 19^th century, passing through Borough Green on the way from London to Maidstone, rather than Wrotham, saw the development of cement works and light industry so that Borough Green was soon larger than Wrotham and the station was renamed from Wrotham & Borough Green to Borough Green & Wrotham.

To the south of Borough Green, where the walks head, the land is mainly agricultural with many orchards although there is sheep farming and extensive woodland.

The village of Plaxtol was once an important centre, as evidenced by the grandeur of it’s church and old buildings, with an economy based on sheep and papermaking. Until recently it also had the well known Plaxtol bakery – now relocated to an industrial estate. Nearby, though not visited by the walks, is Old Soar Manor, a 13^th century Knight’s residence, uniquely preserved (National Trust – free admittance but unfortunately only open April – Sept.).

The Fairlawne estate was set out by the Cazalet family in the 18^th century who lived in the manor house at Shipbourne, of which only glimpses can be caught through hedges and metal fences. It is now owned by an investment company. Shipbourne church was built by Edward Cazalet in 1880. Peter Cazalet ran racing stables at Fairlawne until the 1970s, hence the name of the Chaser Inn, and was the trainer of the Queen Mother’s horses. His daughter married P.G. Wodehouse and it is considered that the home of the Uffingham family in the Jeeves and Wooster books is based on Fairlawne.

The medium and long walks visit the most impressive Ightham Mote, a 14^th century moated manor house. (National Trust £9.40 admission).

There are panoramic views along parts of the Greensand Way National Trail and the long walk visits Knole Park, a deer park enclosed in 1456. The house and park were originally owned by the church but HenryV111 forced Thomas Cranmer to hand it over in 1538 and it was later given to the Sackville family, members of which still live there although it was passed to the National Trust in 1946. It was the birth place of Vita Sackville-West. (National Trust £9.00 admission).

The long walk traverses all of and the medium walk part of Oldbury fort, a massive iron age settlement where the cross tracks and entrance gates can still be located. Finally, these walks pass through the charming village of Ightham with its medieval buildings.

8.  THE WALKS:

General

The walks are reasonably level for the most part but they do all undulate and this is more marked on the medium and long routes than the short. There are some long, gentle, slopes and a few short, fairly steep climbs but nothing on any of the routes requiring particular effort.  In most places we use wide paths with good surfaces underfoot but some of the field and woodland paths are narrow.  In wet conditions there are likely to be muddy patches in places.  All routes cross open fields where it can be heavy going in wet weather.  The routes are varied covering gently rolling open countryside, fields, orchards, woods and parkland. The long walk follows the Greensand scarp edge for a time.  There are stiles and gates on all routes.

None of the walks is suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.  There is no buggy route available on this occasion.

Short.  5.4 miles.  650 ft ascent.

After leaving Borough Green via a park and residential road, the walk climbs gently behind houses and then enters woodland. Briefly emerging at a green it re-enters woodland and climbs to run above a stream before descending to the small village of Basted with evidence of mills amongst a mixture of old buildings and new housing development. Turning off the road it crosses open pasture with fine views and then follows a country lane before traversing mixed woodland, fields and orchards. A short detour takes in the Golding Hop at Yopps Green (2.9 miles) and the walk then continues through mixed terrain, returning to Borough Green over open countryside, passing Ightham cricket club  and crossing a humped field which gives further views.

Short.  7.0 miles.  690 ft ascent.

This follows the 5.4 mile walk but with an additional loop to visit the interesting village of Plaxtol. It follows the road through the village passing the Papermakers Arms (3.1 miles), the village shop and a variety of impressive houses to reach the top, oldest part of the village where the large church and old houses attest to the former prosperity of the area. You soon leave the road into fields and orchards and rejoin the route of the 5.4 mile walk before the Golding Hop at Yopps Green (4.5 miles).

Medium.  11.5 miles.  1405 ft ascent.

The route follows the 7.0 mile walk as far as the outskirts of Plaxtol and then through fields and alongside a stream, with further evidence of paper mills, to reach Dunks Green.  Joining the Greensand Way, you now pass through fields and woods before entering the parkland of the Fairlawne estate to emerge in Shipbourne with its fine church and manor house and the Chaser Inn (5.1 miles). Still on the Fairlawne estate and the Greensand Way, in open country, you climb a field edge and pass through woods to reach a road and Ightham Mote (6.0 miles). Leaving the Greensand Way, the route passes through Ightham Mote, then turns off through woods to reach and cross a road.  A long inclined track then rises and eventually enters woods, then fields and emerges at a road junction. Traversing fields and orchards brings you to Stone Street and the Padwell Arms (7.8 miles). You now climb through woods to the small hamlet of St Lawrence (Seal) with church, school and a few houses. Descending through woods you cross the A25 at Crown Point (8.7 miles) and climb Oldbury Hill, following an ancient track through the centre of the huge Iron Age fort settlement to the village of Oldbury. Descending to the main road, you cross and enter the village of Ightham, leaving by the side of the church to rejoin the shorter routes a little before the finish. 

Long.  15.9 miles.  1820 ft ascent.

The route follows the medium route to shortly after Shipbourne where it leaves the Greensand Way, passing Shipbourne cricket club and climbing in open countryside. Turning left you leave the Fairlawne estate and enter National Trust land to reach Ightham Mote (6.4 miles).  Leaving Ightham Mote you rejoin the Greensand Way and climb gently on a long incline, soon with good views. Passing a remote cottage you enter woods and follow the Greensand Way to Knole Park and Knole House (9.9 miles). After Knole Park the route goes through woodland to Godden Green and the Bucks Head (10.9 miles). A section of mixed open countryside and woods follows before you reach a road and then climb through woods to turn on to a wide woodland track. The route rejoins the medium walk at St Lawrence.  Crown Point is 13.1 miles into the walk.

9.   GENERAL:

Dogs are welcome on all walks but must be kept under control at all times.  They must be put on leads near livestock and when walking on or crossing roads.

All walkers are strongly advised to dress appropriately, wear suitable footwear (preferably walking boots or strong outdoor shoes) and bring waterproof clothing including a hat.  All walks follow paths / tracks which can become very muddy after rain.

Please remove or cover muddy boots when visiting any of the pubs or other facilities.

Please also bring adequate drinks and snacks with you.  Tap water will be available at the start and please see ‘Facilities’ on page 4 for details of local shops etc.

10.   FINISH DETAILS:

Once you have finished please report to the Finish in The Black Horse  by 17:30 at the latest.

If you are unable to return by this time, you should notify the Finish control point via the mobile phone numbers which will be advised on your direction sheets.  Please do not leave without checking in, if necessary via the mobile numbers, as we need to be sure that everyone has returned safely.  Please ensure that at least one of your party is carrying a (fully charged) mobile phone if possible and show the numbers of all mobile phones in your party, on your entry form.

Results will be sent to all walkers by e-mail a few days after the walk.  Unfortunately the new departmental rules on sending

12.   CHARITY SPONSORSHIP:

All proceeds will be donated to ‘Friends At Work’.  This London based organisation supports 12 nationally recognised charities, e.g.  RNIB, RNID, Mencap, Children’s Society.  It operates mainly by deduction from salary and, if you are interested, please ask for an information leaflet on the day.  You can also make one-off cash donations on the day.

13.   SAFETY AND COUNTRY CODE

Please remember safety:

·                  ALL ROUTES CROSS BUSY ROADS.  All WALKERS MUST TAKE GREAT CARE AT THESE CROSSING POINTS.

·                  ALL THE WALKS FOLLOW ROADS IN PLACES.  TAKE GREAT CARE WALKING ON ALL ROADS IN THE AREA - TRAFFIC CAN MOVE VERY FAST ALONG THEM ALL.

·                  Teams must not split up unless each group has a copy of the route directions.

·                  All walkers must report to the Finish by 17:30 so we know you have returned safely.

14.   FURTHER INFORMATION / CONTACTS:

For further information about the walk, please contact:

15.   FUTURE WALKS

The 2010 London Spring Walk.

• Provisionally planned for 30^th April in Berks/Bucks.  More information nearer the date.

The RCSL National Walking Section

• For general information on National Walks please contact Terry Dillon (via e-mail only).
  Dillon, Terence (Detection)

A Picture of the Long and Short Walkers LONG on the left SHORT on the right.

Below some money in a stump found on the way! and a view provided by the LONG Walker.

......

Thanks to the Walking Section of the RCSL for a good walk. Results below( photos courtesy of "M", LONG & SHORT.)

The walks ranged between 7.5 short 10.5 medium  & 16 miles  long . A blow by blow gate by gate  detailed description was provided  for each walk, with a note of what facilities were available en route. While the weather was somewhat wet everyone seemed to enjoy it. One would hope to see more RMS participants at future events. With 3 levels of difficulty  everyone is catered for. 

Results:-

LONG (71 Walkers) …Gordon Hodson 51st (6hrs.48)                                ………

MEDIUM(121Walkers)…….Fred Howe 14th (4hrs.16)                ………

SHORT (112 Walkers)…    Paul Houghton 17th (3hrs.20)

Future Events.

• Friday 4 September - SE region Walk - probably Port Lympne, near Hythe, Kent.  Contact  brian.miles@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and
  
• Friday 2 October - London autumn  walk - Borough Green (near Sevenoaks, Kent).  Contact brenda.milford@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
  
• West Midlands region are also planning a walk in mid-September - no further details available yet.  Try scott.williams@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk for further info.

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