Destiny:
Imagine 1066,
Crossing the Weald in the army of King Harold
On the way to decide the future of England
1066 Harold’s Way: Capital to Coast
From History Walks, Talks and Books
More than just footsteps on a Path.
For more information visit:
Bateman’s is the fourth cornerstone of this Walk around the High Weald.
Bateman’s is Kipling, enticed by its warmth and seclusion, nestling below Burwash by the River Dudwell, and is the start of the climb up to Brightling Needle, just one of Mad Jack Fuller’s Follies. There is a Pyramid in the churchyard and a Tower on the path to Darwell Reservoir. The Observatory can just be seen but Mad Jack was not all just fun, for it was he that saved Bodiam Castle from demolition, thank you Jack.
At Robertsbridge, Three Castles returns to a lowland valley walk where once ‘Hoppicker’s Specials’ ran from Robertsbridge Station towards Bodiam Castle and beyond. The trains may return once the line is restored but for the moment the final few miles must be walked.
Virtual Walks are taken from
Walking the High Weald – Three Castles and an Ironmaster’s House.
History Walks Talks and Books
http://www.1066haroldsway.co.uk
Scotney Castle is the third of our castles. The secrecy and spies of Castle intrigue were but a diversion from the job of making money. By the 17th century, the iron furnaces between Lamberhurst and Burwash were being stoked for the production of cannon, grave slabs and the railings for St Paul’s, London.
Wadhurst, long identified as standing on a prehistoric ridgeway, once had 36 ironworks within six miles and 24 local families were owners and operators of the furnaces and forges.
There is little evidence left of such industry on the way to Burwash and Batemans, along the River Rother and its tributaries, but in the churchyard at Burwash look for the ‘Skull and Crossbones’ that marked the graves of smugglers, hanged as their penalty for falling foul of the Revenue Men.
History Walks: Virtual Walks from Your Doorstep
Virtual Walks are taken from
Walking the High Weald – Three Castles and an Ironmaster’s House.
History Walks Talks and Books
http://www.1066haroldsway.co.uk
Sissinghurst Castle is the second of our castles but this ‘castle’ is attributed to whim and whimsey as it never saw a battle or defend anything more than its ‘far from pleasant situation, low in a wet clayey soil, without prospect, and enveloped with large tracts of surrounding woodland.’ (Edward Hasted 1798). Today it is one of the most visited gardens in England and the National Trust tearooms provide a welcome relief after Hemsted Wood.
Cranbrook, at the centre of the woollen trade, heralds the start of climbs up to ridges, descents to the valleys and the streams and rivers that once provided the power for the Wealden iron furnaces. Avoiding the vengeful dragon that lurks in Angley Wood, the path leads up to Goudhurst with its stories of the infamous Hawkhurst smuggling gang.
History Walks: Virtual Walks from Your Doorstep
Virtual Walks are taken from
Walking the High Weald – Three Castles and an Ironmaster’s House.
History Walks Talks and Books
Possibly the most beautiful castle in all of England, rising up from its moat, built to guard what was once the Appledore Estuary against a French Invasion. Follow the route along the flood plain of the River Rother and across the ancient Kent Ditch into meadow and pasture, mature trees and woods and isolated houses and farms that are the only habitation until Sandhurst.
The wealth of Sandhurst was not built on iron, but on farming, sheep and wool and later, no doubt, smuggling played its part too. The same can be said of Benenden with its beautiful green, one of the best and biggest in Kent, that resounds to cricket on lazy days in the summer.
History Walks: Virtual Walks from Your Doorstep
Virtual Walks are taken from
Walking the High Weald – Three Castles and an Ironmaster’s House.
History Walks Talks and Books
http://www.1066haroldsway.co.uk
“It’s a highly original work and the well-written guidebook is full of interesting historical information including smugglers’ tales, rebellions, industry and murders.” Walk, the magazine of The Ramblers.
With 20% off Both Books With this Code 1066HW20
from History Walks, Talks and Books – More than just footsteps on a Path. www.1066haroldsway.co.uk
To Celebrate Christmas
20% off with this Code until 24th December 2019
ADVENT-20%
from
History Walks, Talks and Books – More than just footsteps on a Path.
#HistoryWalksblog #AdventCalendars #SaxonTimes
from History Walks, Talks and Books – More than just footsteps on a Path. www.1066haroldsway.co.uk
To Celebrate Christmas
20% off with this Code until 24th December 2019
ADVENT-20%
from
History Walks, Talks and Books – More than just footsteps on a Path.
#HistoryWalksblog #AdventCalendars #SaxonTimes
from History Walks, Talks and Books – More than just footsteps on a Path. www.1066haroldsway.co.uk
To Celebrate Christmas
20% off with this Code until 24th December 2019
ADVENT-20%
from
History Walks, Talks and Books – More than just footsteps on a Path.
#HistoryWalksblog #AdventCalendars #SaxonTimes
