25/11/17 - Edenbridge and the Eden Valley

Distance - 10.2 Miles
Geocaches - 8
Walk Inspiration - Adventurous Pub Walks in Kent, Walk 2
Pubs - The Old Eden and Ye Olde Crown


Edenbridge, 38 minutes out of London Bridge and worlds apart.

I'd never been to Edenbridge before but a new walking book. combining pubs with adventurous walks, provided just the inspiration.  The weather could not have been more perfect, the mud mostly frozen, the skies perfectly blue.

A Sidetracked Multi Geocache waits at the station with no more geocaches until I am half away around the Kentish sheep fields, oast houses and farms.  The route picks up the Eden Valley walk from the town centre, which awaits exploration on my return.

Early marker for the Eden Valley Walk

Specific Instructions to Dog Owners. Shot. Dead

Kentish Farm Houses

Kentish Oasthouses

Crippendon Manor is roughly the half way point.  The terrain changes from farm land to wood land and I pick up part of a circular geocache trail centered around Dry Hill Fort.

Ten Acre Woods

The river Eden provides the navigational aid to walk home, passing Starborough castle - now a dressed country house but a full on castle until Cromwell got his hands on it in 1648, leaving just a moat.

3 hours 30 minutes and I'm coming back into town to see what is available refreshment wise.  The guidebook recommended Ye Olde Crown Inn for its "Tetleys and Greene King IPA".  Its 14 years old.

The Old Eden, 121 High Street, Otter Bitter

The pick of the pubs.  If the guidebook is ever updated, it should change its recommendation.  C15th building and fitting nicely in with the other ancient buildings in the high street.

The Old Eden

At home in the High Street

A choice had to be made between Otter Bitter and Harvey's Sussex Best.  Doom Bar was also available but as I said, a choice had to be made.  I went Otter and avoided taking over one the tables that was much needed for the many diners by sitting at a bar stool.

Relaxing with an Otter

A little further up the high street is The King and Queen.  I popped my head through the door, saw a single other punter and couldn't identify any real ale.  I quickly popped back out.

Ye Olde Crown, 74-76 High Street, Ringwood FortyNiner

History wise, there's not much else you could ask for from a pub.  Secret tunnels between the pub and the church, used by C17th smugglers.  Landlords that can be traced back to 1593.  Unique signage spanning the high street.

This is why micro pubs, in converted haberdasheries, will never pass the test of time.

Welcoming boozers since the 1300s

Unique, road spanning sign

Just the one real ale on here but to be fair, it was in decent condition.  No complaints from me.

A chance to soak in the history and the timeless qualities of an English Inn that has been running for centuries.  When you wait 45 minutes for a fish finger sandwich, you have plenty of time to reflect.

Ringwood Fortyniner