Monday 27 October 2008

A Walk around Ightham Mote Estate

It's been a nice day so far, coffee when we arrived before touring the house and gardens and then a picnic. The National Trust do very reasonably priced home cooked type meals with locally sourced food but today we brought a picnic for a change. We thought it was going to be a warm and sunny day but half way through our picnic it began to rain lightly, the sort of thing that we call 'Scotch mist'. Having finished eating we went into the restaurant for some hot tea.

It was then time to take a walk around the estate. The landscape comprises plateau hilltops with steep valley sides dropping to Dinas Dene to the north and the scarp edge of the Greensand Hills to the south. Southwards the land is gently undulating. Woodland clothes the hilltops and the valley sides, giving the estate a secluded and intimate atmosphere. So let's go and enjoy it and take in the scenery.

Our walk begins by transcending a long and steady slope and it will take us about 35 minutes to reach the top. I thought the seed heads on this loose strife were even prettier than the summer flower.

We are half way to the top and are taking a little time to look across the corn fields, get our breath back and drink some water.


We have come down the steepest part of the hill and are now on the other side of the estate. We will cross over the style and continuing walking down a pretty steep path enjoying the scenery on the way.




Don't fall over the edge - it is steep








We are getting nice views over the Kent Weald now as we begin to leave the woods behind and are nearing the bottom of the hill.


The Estate Farm, incorporating Oust Houses. There are Oust Houses all over Kent which used to be a Hop growing area and these were used for drying the Hops.



It's been a good and exhilarating walk and in about 20 minutes time we will be back at Ightham Mote where we will have tea and lemon cake before making the journey home.

12 comments:

Elizabethd said...

We were only saying yesterday how we miss the NT properties, and how good it would be to visit one again. their restaurants are usually very good value too.

Lorrie said...

Tea and lemon cake after a long walk sounds wonderful!

Lorrie

Needled Mom said...

Beautiful walk and now I am ready for hot tea and a warm bath.

a woman who is said...

Oh I learned something new today. I saw those Oust Houses in Sissinghurst’s and had no idea what their particular use was...I was goggling to much at the gardens I guess to pay attention to history. They are very picturesque around the countryside.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

The National Trust is such a treasure. This was a wonderful walk. I'm glad you mentioned the Scotch Mist...I could remember the feel of it on my face!

Tea and lemon cake sound just the thing!

Willow said...

Thanks for a great walk, Barbara. I had to stop and catch my breath on the steep walk down the hill and gaze at the beautiful views!

National Trust properties are a great way to see English country and history.

Linda said...

Lovely countryside and how nice to have tea and cake waiting after a nice walk.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely walk. Yes I do like NT food. We went to Rufford Old Hall- you probably know it well North of Ormskirk. I'll do a post now hubby has rebuilt my computer.

Those oast houses are so beautiful. I kept thinking of The Darling Buds of May when looking at your photos. Thank you for sharing.

TBM said...

I do so love a good country walk. Thank you for sharing yours! I need to start taking notes...

nanatrish said...

This was so neat! I love your tours. It feels like I'm almost there. I'll bet you had such a wonderful day! The sheep look so peaceful! Great post!

Elizabeth said...

As ever, I really enjoyed your outing.
You are the most excellent tour guide.
And I enjoy the food too.

Lavinia said...

I was especially charmed by the second last photo. I made it my new desktop wallpaper background. It looks like a painting from 200 years ago. Lovely.