A certain proportion of the pleasure of a holiday is, or should be, obtained on the journey toward the goal.  This is, of course, much more the case where road rather than rail is taken, and most of the routes to the south run through a lovely and varied countryside which will repay a leisurely mode of progression.  To the writer there is no way of seeing England equal to doing that on foot; however, it would be unreasonable to expect every one to adopt this mode of travelling even if they were able, and these notes can easily be followed by motorist or cyclist without undue loss of time.

LONDON TO LEWES BY WESTERHAM AND MARESFIELD

This road keeps within Kent until the boundary of Sussex is reached, and runs via Catford Bromley and Keston, climbing gradually to Westerham Hill, after which there is a steep and dangerous descent to the small town of Westerham (23 miles) pleasantly situated between the North Downs and the sandy hills of the Surrey Weald.  It is famous as the birthplace of Wolfe, whose statue adorns the green, around which is grouped the quietly dignified assemblage of inns, shops and houses that are typical of this part of Kent.  The large and finely situated church also has a memorial to the local hero, who was born in the vicarage here and buried at Greenwich.

The road continues through pleasant country over Crockham Hill to Edenbridge (28 m.) on the small river Eden.  Although the immediate surroundings are dull and featureless this is a good centre from which to explore the district eastwards to Hever, Penshurst, and Tonbridge.  One mile out of the town we bear left and, in another three, cross the Kent Water into Sussex.  In 7-1/2 miles the road passes over the Medway to Hartfield (33-1/2 m.) on the edge of Ashdown Forest.  The Early English church has a lych-gate dating from 1520.  Inside may be seen three piscinas, one in an uncommon position near the south door.

[A long mile east is Withyam, with a Perpendicular church famous for its monuments of the Dorset family.  Only a gateway remains of the ancient Buckhurst mansion, the greater part of the materials going to the erection of Sackville college at East Grinstead.]

From Hartfield we climb steadily towards the centre of the Forest with occasional wide views between the close woods which line the northern slopes.

[Before reaching Camp Hill and near the summit, a path leads left to Crowborough, which of late years has become suburban and a second Haslemere.  The Beacon commands wide views, but the immediate surroundings have been spoilt.]

We now drop towards Maresfield with grand forward views over the Weald to the South Downs.

Maresfield (41 m.) has a small Decorated church with a Norman window in the nave.  Note the ancient woodwork and restored oak porch, also two stoups, one within and the other outside the church.  This was once an important “Black Country” centre.  Local names, such as “The Forge” perpetuate the memory of this strange period in the history of Sussex, which was at its busiest about 1680, the last furnace being quenched in 1828.