Geoff has given me the privilege of being this weeks Routemaster 🚌 sharing a route that takes in the grounds of Penshurst Place and the surrounding countryside, so as the saying goes…fasten your seat belts and here we go
The route starts and ends from the car park at Penshurst Place, which offers ample free parking, with the added bonus of the cafe there being open (9:30-4:30) for a post run reward.
The first couple of miles take in a circuit of the Penshurst Place grounds, with the only significant hill on the route, coming in the first mile up to Well Place Farm.
Exiting the grounds via the access road to the house, there is then a short stretch of road with no footpath – PLEASE TAKE CARE – face the traffic until the turn off and be visible.
Leave the road where there is a green metal Public Footpath sign on the left, taking some stone steps.
At the 3 mile point, there is a very short very muddy stretch (25m) but after that, lovely fields and views of glorious scenery.
The route is on well established field pathways and trails. (At the turning point at Hill Hoath, if you come to a farm with stables, you’ve missed the left turn down some fields – I managed to do this during a recce with Geoff last week!)
Please let Geoff know if you have a route to share with your fellow harriers (particularly off road) for future weeks.
Thanks to Casper for map production.
It just remains for me to say…
It doesn’t matter if you’re fast or slow,
Go to Penshurst and give it a go,
Enjoy the views, there’s even a lake,
Then treat yourself to coffee and cake!
Andrew Deighton
Harrier Publicity Officer and budding poet!