Scotney Castle parkland, Lamberhurst

 

A visit to Scotney castle NT site on our return from Kent. We were too early to go around the house (castle is a misnomer here for both the big house and also the ruined stronghold). So we opted for a tour around the grounds ... following the parkland trail

Leaving the van in the "overflow" parking area, and down the pathway to the Salvin gate

Opposite the gate looking over the parkland south. then through the outside of the house, café, and toilets until we could pick up the trail beside the NT offices.

Escaping to the outer fields of the near estate (edge of the parkland walking area). Along the fields to the back road, with a slight view of the roofs of the big house.

Dropping down to the stream and footbridge, before turning back along the stream - with better views of the house.

Passing the reptile reserve and also the older castle remains to reach teh old carriage way from Kilndown.

Over Bewl bridge - not impressive, then Sweetbourne bridge - slightly better, however Bertie could drop down from this one for a dip.

Finishing the circle at the Salvin gate where we had entered the tour. From here it was less a walk and more a day out, and I left the description in the other journal. This was the better weather of the day, as it gradually got worse until we left in rain.

Camber Sands Stroll, Camber

Parked in the field beyond the dunes - we had to enter via teh coach gate, but then cross over to the normal section. then pay by phone - £4 for one hour or £8 for three .... plus of course the 10% for admin fee. then up the soft sand track leading over the dunes.

First view of the sea, before dropping down the other side to the firmer sand of the beach. Looking over to the pier of Rye harbour where we would head - going left was banned to dogs.

Setting off across teh flat sand into the strong wind, trying to avoid getting sand in our eyes, heading for the end of the piers marking the river rother..

Looking back to the village of Camber and a large number of kites flying over the beach.

Approaching the edge of the piers, sea and river, just time for a paddle

Bertie does not like the moving water and runs away, then back to be with us. Looking along the length of the sand into the distance with the power station a faint outline on teh far extreme.

Back to the dunes, to the left of where we had broken through. The wind was blowing miniature sand storms over the beach.

Climbing the dunes to return along the tops - unfortunately it was not mined with dog poo but human.

looking inland from teh top of the dunes, and back out to sea

I missed the track to the coast guard cottages and we went along the dunes to the track we came out on and back to the field.

Samphire Hoe, Dover

 A visit to Samphire Hoe - I had seen the signs every time we came back from the Dover Ferry ports, and it had been on the list of things to explore when the opportunity arose. As we were in the vicinity and although we had already walked a bit, it was too good to not take up. We arrived from Dover (as there is only access from that direction) and take the slip road that stops at a traffic light. This controls access to the Hoe through a tunnel that crosses both the Channel tunnel and the rail tunnel, and comes out on the man-made promontory below the cliffs.

We parked in the main car park and wandered over towards the sea reading the information signs on the way and looking back towards teh cliffs and the tunnel entrance

There were two paths - a walk through the parklands/ reserve and the sea wall/ promenade. we set off on the first crossing the parkland to a rise and views across to Folkestone.

The other side of the rise dropped back to teh end of the Hoe, and the beach. There was a couple of ponds at teh end that Bertie could not resist.

Down onto the beach and across teh large pebbles to teh water before returning to the Hoe.

Back to the car park along the sea wall.. a flat(ish) expanse of concrete around the edge of the Hoe.

The view out to sea from Dover around to Folkstone

 

On the way back to teh car park we passed this structure ...  actually a folly which was supposed to have some sound feature, but this was missing.

Back at the car park we continued on towards the toilets and kiosk, where we gave in to the attraction of ice cream. Then back to the van and the return up the tunnel to the A20 and back to the campsite.

White Cliffs Walk, Dover

The National trust owns an area of the white cliffs near Dover,  and while we were here it made sense to go and have a look (the good thing about life membership is teh free access without having to worry about the cost). From the Dover castle car park it was simply about following the road beside across the A2 and up the opposite slope. Past the gate checkpoint and up the access road with multiple ramps and beyond the visitors centre, then climbing up the levels of car park to an area at the top (there was a minor incident with the waste drains on the van and the side of the track, but only superficial damage I could repair onsite).

Down to the visitors centre, and discovering a map of the local walks we chose to go over towards teh lighthouse and also check out the tunnels on the way. The view down to the ferry terminal below gave a different perspective on the multiple times we had been down there queueing for a crossing.

Leaving the centre and along the path above the cliffs, up past the radio masts with views over the cliffs ahead

Looking back to the harbour and climbing up before dropping into Langdon Hole.

After a drop into Langdon Hole we then climbed up the other side, where we got the first views of the lighthouse.

Along the flatter track as it rounded the Fan point and past the tunnels entrance - we opted not to go in.

Approaching the lighthouse, on the other side of a dip was what appeared to be another lighthouse, but this one had keep out signs.

We did not go into the lighthouse as we would have to leave Bertie and it was only by organised tours. So after looking around and over to France we then left on the track a little inland.

We passed the inland side of the Fan Bay deep shelter - All you can see from above is the entrance to the tunnels.

When the track moved further inland we cut over in the NT land and followed a track through the field above Langden Hole keeping as high as possible before having to climb up to the radio masts once again.

final slop up tot eh masts then we contoured along to save dropping to the visitor centre then climbing back up to the van. On the way around we had views over to Dover castle and the church.

Back at the van for tea and cake, the castle behind the trees.