{"id":"69aeb680c960aef98d0a4814","title":"Castles 8 February","path":"walks/walk-reports/2026/castles-8-february","contentMarkdown":"# Castles - 8 February 2026 (13 miles)\n\n![](https://sevenoaks.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/1b3c17ee-0f15-4ff9-926e-faf612ab91f2.jpg)\n\nAre you into Castles? - 13 miles Sunday, 8th February On a grey and melancholic February day, when even the Sussex countryside struggled a bit to live up to its reputation as a jewel of our national landscape, the party of thirteen gathered in the large car park at Hawkhurst Fish Farm where the leader had his first of three caffeine infusions of the day.\n\nDespite the drab weather and anticipated tricky walking conditions, morale was high as the group set out towards Bodiam. We were at first relieved by the fairly firm going under foot and a cracking pace was set, to allow us plenty of time to admire the symmetrically constructed and fairy-tale image Bodiam Castle (built by the River Rother in 1385 ostensibly as a defence against the French) where we stopped for refreshments. The going remained quite firm till we started our descent, through apple orchards, to the bottom of the Rother valley, known for its hop farms and, more recently planted, vineyards.\n\nLunch was taken in the quaint village of Salehurst, named in the Domesday book, which boasts a ‘free house’ as well as very imposing 13th century church. On resumption, when walkers approached the bridge across the River Rother the distinction between its course and banks was not visible owing to the risen waters. At one particular point waders rather than boots would have been more suitable footwear; but the physical dexterity, fortitude and good humour of the party remained to the fore, and the going became firmer as its members approached Robertsbridge where the local architecture, some of 15th century, and war memorial were admired.\n\nThereafter the going was again tough along the lower lying ground of the Rother valley before walkers circled back to the starting point where we compared the height to which the splashed mud had reached on our respective clothing.\n\nIt was agreed that the 13 miles covered would have been considerably less strenuous if they had been completed in the summer. All the more credit, therefore, to the intrepid thirteen for retaining high spirits throughout the day and for contributing to the excellent company. We look forward to completing the same route again, in more favourable conditions.\n\n---\n\n*Originally published as a [PDF on the Sevenoaks Ramblers website](https://sevenoaksramblers.org.uk/images/Ramblers%20Walks%20Summary/20260208%20Castles.pdf).*","contentHtml":"

Castles - 8 February 2026 (13 miles)

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Are you into Castles? - 13 miles Sunday, 8th February On a grey and melancholic February day, when even the Sussex countryside struggled a bit to live up to its reputation as a jewel of our national landscape, the party of thirteen gathered in the large car park at Hawkhurst Fish Farm where the leader had his first of three caffeine infusions of the day.

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Despite the drab weather and anticipated tricky walking conditions, morale was high as the group set out towards Bodiam. We were at first relieved by the fairly firm going under foot and a cracking pace was set, to allow us plenty of time to admire the symmetrically constructed and fairy-tale image Bodiam Castle (built by the River Rother in 1385 ostensibly as a defence against the French) where we stopped for refreshments. The going remained quite firm till we started our descent, through apple orchards, to the bottom of the Rother valley, known for its hop farms and, more recently planted, vineyards.

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Lunch was taken in the quaint village of Salehurst, named in the Domesday book, which boasts a ‘free house’ as well as very imposing 13th century church. On resumption, when walkers approached the bridge across the River Rother the distinction between its course and banks was not visible owing to the risen waters. At one particular point waders rather than boots would have been more suitable footwear; but the physical dexterity, fortitude and good humour of the party remained to the fore, and the going became firmer as its members approached Robertsbridge where the local architecture, some of 15th century, and war memorial were admired.

\n

Thereafter the going was again tough along the lower lying ground of the Rother valley before walkers circled back to the starting point where we compared the height to which the splashed mud had reached on our respective clothing.

\n

It was agreed that the 13 miles covered would have been considerably less strenuous if they had been completed in the summer. All the more credit, therefore, to the intrepid thirteen for retaining high spirits throughout the day and for contributing to the excellent company. We look forward to completing the same route again, in more favourable conditions.

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Originally published as a PDF on the Sevenoaks Ramblers website.

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