Roots walk of Robertsbridge

This was a walk postponed from some while ago, (due to a spell of continuous bad weather) when our newest member was about to join this walking group. In honour of his local heritage we had discovered a walking route around Robertsbridge from whence he spent his formative years. We have, therefore, Robertsbridge to thank or blame whilst he spent his baby and toddler years living over the Public House, The Ostrich.

The car park in the centre of Robertsbridge had both 2 hour limited spaces as well as 9 hour (or was it 6hour?) spaces, of which we opted to occupy the latter space. We laced up and strapped the rucksacks on, with one eye on the weather which was threatening to shower around 11am.

We followed the directions past the Seven Stars Inn and mused at the Bank Holiday entertainment provided as well as being further tickled by the sight of a car with a business card holder on the outside of the drivers door. There's a first for anything around here.

Such was our distraction, within a few more steps we had already taken the wrong pathway to cross the school playing field. We re-traced our steps and gathered our bearings (and pride) to find an overgrown yet well signposted footpath in order to cross the A21.

The route on the opposite side of the road didn't improve too much until we were climbing the first of many stiles. The signs gave clear instructions to keep to the footpath as it seemed we were surrounded by private woodland. We eventually came out into daylight and continued walking across fields and then turned left along a protected pathway. The recent rainfall had caused the tracks to return to its former impassable status. We persevered and reached a cross roads of tracks next to Stone Cottage. We were initially greeted by a loudly barking Labrador, but as we pondered the next direction he became increasingly passive and maybe sympathetic to our plight. After referring to the map, we established which way to turn and left the dog at the crossroads.

Around the next corner was something we hadn't bargained to see. An old Morris Minor, held together with rust, paint and an abundance of home produce spilling from every part of the chassis.
Free Range eggs were being sold from its boot alongwith a selection of newly planted seeds. The owner of the nearby "Keepers Cottage' was on the doorstep. A polite 'good mornings' were exchanged and we walked across the front of their view towards Lordship Wood.

Over the next stile and we were heading uphill for some startling 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside. Our next marker point was Pippinghole Lane, which we crossed with considerable ease and then into the field opposite with our sights set for Johns Cross pub where again, we would be crossing back over the A21.

A lane opposite the pub led towards Mountfield Court. An ancient chestnut tree lined avenue heralded our arrival down the grand driveway, but were guided to the small track to the side of the main entrance of the house. A colourful display of Rhododendrons surrounded the main garden lawns in the distance as we navigated our way around the perimeter wall to find our way to the rear of the building.

As we walked away from the main manor building we observed a small herd of deer disappearing to a neighbouring field. We descended toward a small pond surrounded by trees and decided it time for a short break and take on those much needed nuts!

Just as we started to gather our belongings onto our backs again, the storm clouds were gathering and it was clear that although expecting the rain a half hour earlier, we were about to have some shower action. We quickly donned our rain apparel and stepped quickly on.
We continued downhill and not realising we were as close to the railway line, we hurdled an unnecessary stile and again re-traced our steps to find the short tunnel under the railway line only 100 yds from where we were.

The final section of the walk had cause to encounter both more stiles and fields full of numerous array of livestock including some docile (thankfully) cows that almost blocked our pathway across a small footbridge, not to mention some rather grand looking Angus cattle in another field. The footpath was full of wild Campion. The rain had stopped and the sun was again shining through so it was time to quickly stop and remove our waterproof coats. Trains on the main London to Hastings route passed nearby with little sound.

We climbed over the final stile and headed back through a small estate of houses toward the centre of Robertsbridge and the car park. We reflected on the 5 mile walk with much delight as it had provided some new interesting landscapes. Whilst being a well signposted route, the condition of some of the tracks gave the indication that only a handful of people used it on a regular basis.