Toy's Hill

Toy's Hill

Sunday took us to Toy's Hill just outside Westerham.  We stopped at the large National Trust car park, free for once although the down side of this means there are no poo bins around.

There are a selection of well waymarked routes which make it easy to find something to suit and there are also some leaflets describing some longer walks for the more adventurous.  We selected our usual route of about three and a half miles although we invariably take a short cut towards the end to avoid a rather boring stretch.

The girls enjoy running through the woodland.

The Pond by Emmett's Garden.  Heidi has taken an accidental dip in the past, thankfully Kiki shows no interest in water at the moment after her swims at Box Hill and Tillgate Park.

There is a side gate to Emmett's Garden which is run by the National Trust near this point.  Facilities include a cafe and toilets if you feel the need.

The shortcut.  The official path does downhill to the left, if you follow the main track it's an easy five minute walk to the car park.  As I'm usually facing a mutiny after the steep climb from the pond it's usually an easy choice.

Tired but happy.

The local pub, the Fox and Hounds, used to be dog friendly, you'd often meet the two resident Bearded Collies, Cara and Bella, on your walk, however, it has recently changed hands and I'm not sure if our four legged friends are still welcome.  If anybody knows either way, please let me know.

St Leonard's Forest

St Leonard's Forest

The weekend promised the final arrival of Spring, how easily we were fooled...  We decided to head to St Leonard's Forest to the South of Horsham.  We've visited several times in the past but, as with so many places, never found a satisfactory walk.  I eventually located one on the Fancy Free Walks website of around five and a half miles that included a pub stop.

We started from the Roosthole car park and dropped quickly down into the forest.

Unfortunately, either myself or the author of the route is directionally and distance challenged and it was only with a little guesswork that we managed to complete the walk.  Sadly the Dragon in Faygate is now closed which nearly provoked a mutiny.

There are some lovely wide paths, and both girls enjoyed themselves chasing squirrels through the trees.

The forest was also rather muddy in parts.

The girls enjoyed themselves at least.

After the disappointment of the Dragon being closed, a quick look on Doggie Pubs suggested that the Cherry Tree, Faygate was nearby.  Unfortunately they don't appear to have a website and it was only en route that I realised we had driven past on several occasions, the large, yellow elephant in the beer garden being somewhat memorable.

It's not the best of locations, being on the Horsham bypass, although once inside it was perfectly pleasant.  Not sure I'd rush back but useful to know about nonetheless.

Reigate Hill - Snow

Reigate Hill - Snow

The snow returned briefly on Saturday and we found ourselves at Reigate Hill.  The views from here can be spectacular although it was a little overcast on the day.  The car park is at the top on the North Downs Way and has a nice little kiosk selling food and drink together with toilets.

Unfortunately, the car park at the top of the hill presents a dilemma.  If you want a circular walk then you are faced with a steep climb at the end, something which usually provokes complaints from certain quarters otherwise it's a simple "out and back again" walk.

A further problem is the National Trust have decided to put sheep in several of the fields along the way and there have obviously been issues with dogs attacking them.  As a result there are signs warning you to keep your dog on a lead.

Issues aside, the girls had a lovely time and were certainly tired after.

Camber Sands

Camber Sands

We decided to be a little more adventurous on Sunday and settled on Camber Sands, somewhere I'd not been for many years.  This would be Kiki's first visit to the seaside and we were a trifle nervous how she would behave after the day before's swimming exploits.  Heidi has long since decided that playing in water is not for her and will even skirt around puddles on walks.

There are several carparks by the beach with a couple of cafes near the holiday park.  Access for dogs is restricted between May and September so a lovely winter's day seemed the idea time to visit.  I was amused the discover that the beach was used for filming both Dunkirk and later The Longest Day.

The girls lost no time in stretching their legs.

Thankfully Kiki showed little interest in going for a swim.  There is little worse then the smell of wet dog in the car on the way home.

The tide was out which gave the girls plenty of room to run around.

A slight detour on the way home allowed us to visit Rye, again somewhere we'd not been for many years.  This is a lovely old town, one of the Cinque Ports, with winding streets and a fascinating variety of shops.  Thankfully, it being a Sunday, most were closed otherwise somebody would have insisted on visiting.

We had a quick drink in The Standard Inn, being unable resist the name, before heading home via Hastings.

Tillgate Park

Tillgate Park

Saturday saw us heading to Tillgate Park just to the south of Crawley.  The park has undergone a lot of work over the past few years and it was nice to see that this appears to be nearing completion with the walk around the lake restored.

Thankfully Heidi didn't fall in.

Kiki decided to take a shortcut across the stream...  Apologies for the poor quality of the picture, I wasn't quick enough to catch her actually in the water,

Not really one of the most exciting of our walking trips but a pleasant change nonetheless.  There is also a Nature Centre and cafe although dogs aren't allowed in either.

Ashdown Forest

Ashdown Forest

The forecast for Friday was far from inspiring with the afternoon in particular threatening to be most unpleasant, however, we were determined to go somewhere different and settled on Ashdown Forest.  It's a beautiful area, not too far away although we've always struggled to find a walk of a reasonable length.  We eventually settled on one from an old Pathfinder Guide near Colemans Hatch.

The girls seemed happy enough with the choice.

We headed towards Camp Hill from the car park.

Past Ellison's Pond.

One of the downsides of using older guidebooks is that things invariably change and so it was through the Old Lodge Estate where there has clearly been a lot of work since the book was published in 1997...  Maybe it's time to buy a newer one.

We headed to the Royal Oak in Staffhurst Wood for a drink and decided to stay for lunch.  We first tried the pub several years ago and the food was excellent.  Sadly it was not so good on the second visit and we've only been for a drink since.  Luckily it was back to the former standard and we shall look forward to returning.

The heavens opened on the way home, perfect timing.

Riddlesdown Common

Riddlesdown Common

The quest for somewhere different continued last Sunday and Riddlesdown Common was suggested, somewhere I'd never been before.  We were up early enough to negotiate Purley Cross  before the traffic built up which is always a relief.  

Riddlesdown is another of the Commons owned by the City of London and, while not as spacious as Farthing Down, is a lovely spot.  I imagine the views are impressive on a clear day but sadly there was a fair bit of mist around.

Overall, I feel it's one of those lovely areas to have on your doorstep but wouldn't consider it worth making a special journey but it never ceases to amaze how many of these areas there are around.