Rock of Ages

A mile and a bit from the centre of town, which is a nice summer's strolling distance, is the fabulous ancient sandstone outcrops of the High Rocks. And it just so happens that today was a nice summer's day and the wife and I fancied a stroll.

Taking the route out of town via The Pantiles to pick up some refreshments, we headed out along the banks of the Spa Valley steam railway. For anyone that hasn't walked this way before it is truly a hidden gem of a walk, as you join up with the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk and follow the River Grom on its way towards Groombridge.

Entering Friezland Wood you are greeted by the most wonderful smell of bluebells which gives way to the surprisingly wonderful aroma of wild garlic after reaching the river banks. After just a couple of hundred yards the huge ancient rocks begin to peer out from the dense trees, first just a few small ones on the ground covered in tactile mosses and lichens but then the big boys start looming from the canopy.

Stone Age man was said to have walked the very ground that we walked today, amongst these rocks, and you can probably still find some markings amongst the I woz ere's from the 1980's and the One Hath Rested Here's of the 1880's.
Even Iron Age man thought the rocks were great, as there has been evidence of an Iron Age fort found amongst the rocks.
But the most recent history of the rocks began in the 1670's when they first became a tourist attraction, and although they still are, they were sold to a private owner in 1987 so now the only way in is through a small victorian turnstile via a £2 donation.

As you climb the stairs through the undergrowth you are greeted by something like a scene from an Indiana Jones set as stone steps are carved into the natural rocks taking you skyward towards the wooden bridges that span the tops. Of course not everyone climbs to the top via the steps as the rocks are listed as one of the top 100 places to climb in the UK, they were even used as practice for an early Everest expedition.
The views from the rocks can be breathtaking as you can see nothing but trees and gently undulating hills for miles and miles and miles across the Kent and Sussex countryside.

Alas some parts of the tourist resort's heyday are missing today. James the Second would have wandered around the rhododendron maze, bowled on the bowling green and gambled in the gaming rooms nestled amongst the rocks, but you can still enjoy some of the ancient traditions, such as the famous Bell Rock which it has been said that if you strike it the chime can be heard in the centre of Tunbridge Wells.

Go on, give it a go, take a walk there this weekend, but keep it a secret between us. I'll be listening out for the chimes.

If you'd like see a gallery of photographs of our High Rocks walk, then click here.

Comments

[Anke]

Thanks again for a lovely comment, John. Glad you enjoyed all my other non-TW photographs too :)

[John Hayes Fisher]

Im stunned too by the photos which gives the blog an added dimension. In fact I go a step further and look at Anke's holiday photos of puffins and the like. Nothing to do with TW but a visual feast all the same

[Glen]

Thanks very much. Have a few ideas for posts up my sleeve which I will get round to doing one day soon with a bit of luck!

Glen

[Anke]

Glad you like my blog, Glen. Your blog is looking good, keep it up :)

[Glen]

Hi - just came across your blog via another site. I remember (just about) being taken to High Rocks as a kid.

I find your blog very professional looking -especially the pics. I am also currently writing and developing a blog about Kent which is mainly about the places I visit with my family here but also touching on matters of historic interest, local trivia etc.

If you would like to have a look it's at http://kenttodayandyesterday.blogspot.com

Glen

[Anke]

Thanks, very much, Anne. I'm blushing :)

[Anne]

My husband is stunned by the quality of these pictures and keeps talking about them. He says they're remarkably good. I agree.