East Sussex -
Iron Country
(Castle
and Steam Trains Tour )
This tour will
take you around the villages to the East of the area
including Bodiam Castle, Great Dixter, and the Kent and East
Sussex Railway. This tour will take a minimum of 2 hours.
Choose the village where
you wish to start from.
If you are coming into Sandhurst
village from Hawkhurst or Benenden.
Turn right in the village centre, and drive about 1 mile
until you come to a cross road. Take the left hand road to
the church, and stop there for a fine view to the North.
Drive back to the village centre and walk around the green
and its surrounding white weatherboard houses.
If you are
coming into Sandhurst from Bodiam, at the top
of the steep hill coming in to the village, there is a cross
road, turn right to the church. and stop there for a fine
view to the North. Drive back to the junction, turn right to
the village centre and walk around the green and its
surrounding white weatherboard houses.
If you are
coming into Sandhurst from Tenterden or the Rye direction,
we suggest you start your tour from 
.
To move on to take
the main road through the village signposted to Rye, and
follow the road for about 3 miles East.
If
you are coming into Newenden from Tenterden, or Sandhurst, stop by the cricket green, and look to the
East down the Rother valley, and try to imagine the area as a
bustling medieval port with all its taverns, ships and shops.
Take a peaceful walk down the valley, and see if you can find
the location of Alfred's fort or the Roman Port.
If you are
coming into Newenden from Northiam, we suggest you start from
then
your tour will end at Newenden.
To move on to
drive South over the river for about 1/2 mile, when you will
see the K&ESR level crossing.
If you
are coming into Northiam from the Newenden direction,
pass over the level crossing, and turn right into the Kent
and East Sussex Railway car park. Get out and stretch your
legs, and see the Steam Trains rumble in from Tenterden. If
you have time take a nostalgic ride through the Kent and East
Sussex Countryside to Tenterden. From the station drive into
the village centre, and follow the signs for Great Dixter,
this timber framed building from 1410 has some beautiful
gardens laid out by Lutyens.
If you are
coming into Northiam from other directions,
travel through the village to the level crossing, turn round,
then use the above instructions.
To move on to 
drive back down the small road from Great Dixter, to the main
road. Turn right towards the South, and follow the road until
you reach Staplecross.
If you
are coming into Staplecross from Northiam,
travel into the village centre, and turn right at the War
Memorial, towards Bodiam. Stop about 150 yards down this
road, past the buildings, and look North across the Rother
Valley, for a wonderful view.
If you are
coming into Staplecross from Cripps Corner,
at the War Memorial bear left, and follow the above
instructions.
If you are
coming into the Village from the Bodiam direction,
we suggest you start your tour in
.
To move on to 
carry
on down the hill and up to the top of the next ridge. Just
over the ridge, about 1 mile from Staplecross turn right at
the first junction. Carry on for about another mile, and you
will arrive in Ewhurst Green.
If you
are coming into Ewhurst Green from Staplecross,
travel into the village centre, near the church, and turn
around, so you can head back the way you came. Walk around
the quiet and peaceful village, with one of the best views
back in the direction you have come from.
To move on to carry on back the way
you came, but take the first right, about 1/2 mile from the
village towards Bodiam. This lane travels another 1/2 mile,
then comes to a T junction, turn right down the hill until
you reach the level crossing at Bodiam.
If you
are coming into Bodiam from Ewhurst Green,
you will now be at the level crossing. This is soon to be the
station at the end of the Kent and East Sussex Railway. We
suggest that you stop here and look across the valley towards
the castle, as this is a nice first view of this magnificent
building.
Travel down to the Castle car park, stop and
spend an hour or two investigating the towers, and rooms.
Imagine what this would have been like in its heyday, with
knights in armour jousting in the grounds. Just consider how
different the pace of life was in those days.
If you are
coming into Bodiam from Robertsbridge or Hurst Green,
you will need to travel through the village to the level
crossing, turn round, and then follow the above instructions.
To move on to 
,
come out of the castle car park, and turn right. Carry on up
the hill, until you come to a road junction. Again turn
right, this road which travels north, will bring you to
Sandhurst
Map showing the
route of the Castle and Train Tour
© VillageNet
1998
