Leigh (Kent) Circular

28 October. This was the first walk I had led since a hip operation, and so I kept the distance to about seven miles, and we avoided the steeper hills around Penshurst, staying mainly on farm tracks and country lanes.

For reasons known to Victorian engineers, Leigh station is closer to Penshurst village than Penshurst station itself is. After three or four minutes we were in Penshurst Deer Park, with views across the Medway valley and glimpses of Penshurst Place, once home of the powerful Elizabethan courtier Sir Philip Sidney.

We then did a short loop round, up to Wat Stock and back to the village of Penshurst. Some had a picnic in the Church porch and others walked on to the cafe at Penshurst Place which was a welcoming lunch spot for a group of rather wet walkers. (The pub was closed for refurbishment.)

A brief moment of sun

Although there were spots of sunshine, the rain became more persistent as the day continued.

We split in to two for the journey home (some via Redhill, some via Penshurst). Their train was about to come! (Home and nearly dry)

Janet – with thanks to Christine M, Daphne, France, Sally and Sue C for photos.