Eleven off the train at Hever were joined at lunch by a late arrival who took the train to Cowden making a total of 12 on this lovely walk. Fields of long grass were surprisingly dry after the last few days of rain and there was very little mud between Hever and Cowden.

Most people picnicked in the churchyard in Cowden. Seven of them joined the pub luncher for drinks. Two opted to end the walk in Cowden and due to device failure took the road rather than the footpaths to the station where they caught a train at 3pm. Everyone else carried on to Ashurst, some motivated by memories of cider tasting at Perryfield farm shop on a previous visit. Perhaps they will report back on today's visit. We had a mixture of sunshine and light showers which stopped as soon as we donned waterproofs.

13 off the train at Hever and1 local, so14 on a glorious spring day under a blue sky and warm sunshine . Even the mud, such a distinctive and much discussed feature of walks in the Weald, was confined to a minimum, with one extensive stretch, near Ravenscroft Farm, thoughtfully covered in wood chippings, presumably by a public-spirited landowner. Such behaviour was a minor theme of this walk, with two footpath diversions both proving to be positively beneficial, one of them (gated but not yet waymarked) avoiding a walk along a road with no footpath. Bluebells were out in abundance, great rafts of them in secluded woodlands.

Cowden was reached about 1pm, most walkers opting for a picnic in the grounds of St Mary's church, 4(?) eating in the Fountain, a Harvey's pub under new management since last November - reports welcome.

The afternoon began with a stroll across the immaculately manicured greens of Sweetwoods golf club, with signs imploring walkers to follow the waymarked path - but no waymarks. Featherstone wood, immediately to the south, has many false trails for the unwary, and GPS (and a compass) is invaluable for this length. Failing those, bring breadcrumbs.

Across the A264 and, over a couple of fields, into the peaceful haven of Coomb Wood, awash with bluebells and with the path unusually clear to follow (perhaps because of the bluebells) and past the recently-restored Bolebrook Castle.

Large country houses upon which large country amounts of money had clearly been lavished were another theme of this walk, with much speculation about the sources of the funds required - Euromillions being the favourite.

A brief halt at Peeryhill farmshop to shample shome shider (delishious!) and then on to Beech Green Lane where a new diversion (not yet shown on the definitive map) was ignored for want of waymarking, and the old (officially extinguished, but still marked) path followed to Lodgefield Farm and down to Ashurst station in good time for the 16:56 to London Bridge. Most of the group had left Cowden earlier and presumably caught the 15:56 - or they may still be trying to find a way out of Fetherstone wood. A glorious day out - it should be prescribed on the NHS.

5 set off from Hever in warm cloudy conditions giving way to sunny spells and one heavy shower near the end of the walk. Paths were overgrown in places but luckily one of our number had brought secateurs and cut back some of the thorny brambles. We walked through several fields of long grass and it was so peaceful that grasshoppers could be heard chirruping in some of them. A bit of confusion on the golf course. The path leading off it through the woods was not visible and only the intrepid Mr T found it. We had sandwiches in the churchyard in Cowden before visiting the Fountain for a drink. Their garden was pleasant and their chips were very good. One person took the train from Cowden, the other four continued with the main walk and collaborated in finding the way. Paths were not obvious in many of the fields. It's not a well trodden route and might benefit from more frequent posting. There were some lovely views and We passed several manor houses. We didn't stop at Perryhill tea shop but decided to aim for the 5pm train which we caught by the skin of our teeth. Our connecting train from Hurst Green was cancelled. We spent half an hour in Oxted, two in th pub and two in search of tea and cake. The coffee shops had all shut but there was a burger place that also had ice cream including vegan options. They also did tea and coffee so may be a useful tea stop on future walks ending in Oxted. It's near Costa on the High Street. A very pleasant leisurely day.

Just to add....

If the Olympic Committee ever decide to introduce a Stile-crossing event, I know just the place for it. There are hundreds of the little devils on this walk. Big ones, small ones, high-step ones, two-close-together ones. Even the much-feared fertiliser-bag-over-barbed-wire-with-shaky-step. Just to make things more interesting, every so often someone's actually put a kissing gate. Not enough to make the route easier but enough to keep you guessing. All that pirouette training with the Royal Ballet really paid off today. If team GB were to pick me I'm sure I would bag a bronze at least.

I'm still crying inside that we didn't visit the Perryhill Orchard Cider-tasting Emporium in the afternoon. But, lets face it, I couldn’t have lugged more than a gallon over the remaining stiles anyway. And the others didn’t look like they were about to help.

Near the end we did indeed get caught in a downpour. As I was hurrying for the train (by hurrying, I mean ambling less slowly), I didn’t stop to put a waterproof on. This turned out to be lucky. During the enforced stop in Oxted (which required a visit to the Oxted Inn), I accidentally entered myself into their Wet T shirt competition and won a pint of cider.

Had a pint of Harvey's Old last night in the Harp, Covent Garden. Very good.

13 in bright sunshine but cold in the shade .

One of the tricks that Mr Tiger is often able to pull off is to be seen by many walking purposefully at the back of the group, and yet be the first to reach pub. I managed exactly this feat, being last to leave the station as a result of fiddling with my phone, but was first to order at the Fountain in Cowden. I did not resort to any knavish shortcuts. The trick is to be the only one wearing wellingtons, on a walk that was beyond ankle deep in goo over large fractions of the route. I was able to catch up and cruise past the crowd in two fields particularly, indifferent to where I might splosh, as others' pace slowed to a handful of balance-imperilling staggers and squelches a minute.

Said hostelry was fractionally exasperated by our desire to order and pay separately. It obliged, but the food turned up together anyway, respectable of quantity and quality. We were given a nice table in the conservatory.

Quite a number of the sandwich brigade took tea in the Perry Hill Orchard Farmer's Shop. The timing resulted in them reaching Ashurst station just a few minutes after the 1552 train, and left them gently freezing for most of an hour on the isolated platform. Those who had taken the more time consuming pub lunch, but not the tea, drifted in later and had less time to chill before the 1652.

26 on an unexpectedly warm and sunny late October day.

Lunch at The Fountain, Cowden was reported as good but service was slow-and before you ask, she's from Telford. A number of people had a packed lunch in the church yard; the food was reported as limited but reasonable but the service was excellent.

The Perryhill Orchard Farm Shop and Tea Rooms were swamped by our sudden arrival, but handled the orders and service with elan, a joke, and a smile. The range of teas and cakes was impressive!

We all made it to the station in good time for the train.

This was an unexpectedly wonderful day, with everyone commenting on how beautiful both the weather and countryside were.

We walked across sunlit fields and through dappled woods, tramping across rustling leaves and chestnuts, with far-reaching views in all directions.

Cowden is a very pretty village, and its church well worth a visit - a postwar stained-glass window, with airmen, soldiers, nurse, evacuees, all celebrating their relief from the war, not to be missed.

The walk down to Ashurst, in the afternoon sun, was an experience which, I suspect, will stay with us always.

Barbara, I lost your email I am afraid! I will be doing this walk on Sunday the 30th so hopefully can get it again! Jodi

I may join you tomorrow, driving to Hever station.

9 walkers on a cloudy dry day. There was plenty bluebells. And wild garlic. And celandine.And a few orchids that were early, purple and spotted so must have been early purple spotted. Little lambs skipped about. The Fountain was OK. Some had tea at Perryland at least one bought cider. Some got the 16:01(just!) - others the 17:01

Beautiful walk as Ian said. Loads of wildlife and stunning bluebells.

Re Fountain Pub: Beware of publican. One member of our group needed pub lunch so when we purchased drinks we asked at the bar if we could eat our sandwiches in the (deserted) garden to keep her company and were told 'no problem' by a very pleasant member of the bar staff only for the publican to come out later and attempt to tell us off. Unfortunately, she was incredibly rude, so watch out for mixed messages from bar!

However, this did not spoil an amazing walk.

Sorry Liz, but I've got some sympathy for the publican. I know you were trying to be considerate when only one of you wanted a pub lunch, but I expect the publican flipped when she saw 8 out of 9 walkers eating sandwiches in her garden on a quiet Sunday when she probably had masses of unsold lunches in her kitchen. Of course she shouldn't have been rude (and the kindly bar staff will have been told off in no uncertain terms) but many pubs are being squeezed by rapacious pubco's and they need food sales to survive. If rural pubs like The Fountain close then this walk - and many others in the SWC repertoire - will become much less satisfying and might be dropped altogether. The FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page on our site says:

"The walk instructions assume that you will be stopping for lunch at a pub and one or more will be suggested. You can of course bring your own food, but please do not try to eat this on the pub's premises: find a quiet place nearby and then rejoin the others in the pub for a drink if you wish."

If publicans form a bad impression of walkers then other groups might be refused bookings or even turned away. Let's be discreet about eating our own food and try not to antagonise them.

Lots of room for sandwichers in the church porch or the covered bus stop outside it. Best to eat one's sandwiches first, then join one's companions for a drink afterwards.

lOVE this wakk but maybe muddy in places.

Wonderful inexpensive omelettes available a lunchtime pub.

jfk

Hoping to join you on Wednesday. Mud? Definitely.

What's the Pub Restaurant like inside?

Marc,

It's very pleasant with a couple of bars in the original building and a new conservatory section with a glass roof used as an extra eating area. Good beer and good food. Bit too cold for the garden just yet!

Photo's on the Pub's website here

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We did the Cowden to Ashurst version last Saturday (30 January). It was one of the most beautiful SWC walks we've done. But, it was very muddy, almost all of it. Furthermore, just before we arrived at Ashurst station, close to the Medway, we had to wade through water 15cm deep. We didn't have time to look for an alternative because we wanted to catch the train.

Thanks for the warning Catrien jfk

14 mild and mostly sunny

A very good turn out for this mud-fest on a day when the sun shone and the temperature was mild for a winter's day, once out of the morning wind. The mud, of slubadub variety, was relentless, particularly in the morning fields and when it was safe to look up from submerged boots one noticed the route was pleasant, with some good views through lovely countryside. But progress through the wretched mud was darn hard work and it was with some relief when we reached the lunchtime pub, the Fountain in Cowden. Having forewarned the hostelry of our numbers and pending arrival we were not expecting the kitchen to be so disorganised: meals, when they arrived, were mostly excellent, but some of us waited for fifty minutes, which resulted in our group splintering, with 5 picnickers setting off in advance.

Post prandial, 3 headed for Cowden station, leaving 6 of us to venture forth on the afternoon leg, now in lovely winter sunshine, taking the direct route to Coomb Wood. We by-passed the tea stop at Moat Farm and pressed on. Reaching the hill-top above the Medway Valley we came across a prone ewe, injured and in severe distress, which was upsetting for us. 2 in our group made for the farm on the horizon to notify the farmer, and having done so they re-joined us on the platform at Ashurst Station, in good time to catch the 16-55 back to London, with the train info notice stating "service on time".

The train never arrived.

It had broken down in Crowborough - a dodgy door, or was it mud on the line, or both. A lady waiting on the platform very kindly gave lifts in her car to 3 in our group - to East Grinstead, I believe - leaving 3 of us to wait for the next train. Southern Rail came to our rescue by putting on an intermediate service to Oxted where we connected with the East Grinstead service to Victoria - and home to brush off the mud.

An eventful day.

Hint to walk posters: Thinking this walk might be muddy, I instead went out to check and update my Maidenhead to Marlow walk (SWC 56) on Tuesday. Lovely day, beautiful walk, MINIMAL MUD.

Otherwise, bear in mind the two great maxims: "Never invade Russia" and "Weald walks are very muddy in winter".

Great turnout for a notoriously muddy walk. My tolerance of mud never high at the best of times and the fact I had other commitments on Wednesday meant I went out on Tuesday for a bracing 12 mile Thanet coast walk from Margate to Herne Bay. Beautiful day and for those wanting a respite from muddy fields this part of the coast is recommended.

looks like horrible downpour on Wednesday unless it changes.. anyone going on this ?

If the weather forecast improves I hope to do it.

I am planning to do the walk whatever the weather.

If you look at the weather for Ashurst, it's not as bad as it initially seems; things brighten up by 10am and there are just a few showers late afternoon.

I'm planning on checking out my new waterproof on this walk.

get urself well covered then Arthur! accordin to bbc its going to pour all day..

For anyone wanting to travel from Clapham Junction in their goloshes and macs and wellington boots there is a train from clapham at 10 08 to East Croydon. there you need to change and get the 10 23 to Hever . Only 6 minutes changeover time jfk

Sorry guys but I won't be joining you today. Ive been twice recently with other groups and its very pretty. Last time however on a SWC walk it rained quite gently and no-one kept dry because their jackets were inadequate and several walkers had to drop out at lunchtime. Heavy rain, gusting winds and thunder storms will require the best of waterproofs so don't chance it unless you're fully equipped! Good luck

5 hardy souls on this walk (some might say daft b***ars). The rain arrived as advertised, but was generally light with little wind.

The Fountain at Cowden was homely with excellent food and the only serious rain of the day came and went as folks ate under the glass roof of the conservatory.

As we left Cowden, an untended allotment provided foragers with an abundance of wild raspberries. There was a little excitement walking through a field of bulls and calves, but no one came to any harm despite the frisky nature of the bovines.

Peryhill Orchards provided a for a welcome tea and cake stop and rumour has it that one walker purchased a fireplace in the adjoining fireplace centre, whilst others purchased cider in the farm shop.

The rain cleared as the group approached Ashurst to catch the train back to London Bridge