# Kent Ramblers: Walk 109

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/banner_109.jpg)

## Points of Interest

### Cudham Workhouse

![](https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/images/P109a.jpg)

This was one of the first workhouses to be 
						purpose-built in response to Sir Edward Knatchbull's Act 
						of 1722-23 which sought to act as a deterrent by making 
						the workhouse the only relief available to the poor.  
						Poor people not desperate enough to accept the harsh 
						regime were to be 'put out of the Parish Books' and not 
						entitled to relief in that or any other parish.  
						According to a Parliamentary survey in 1776-88, Cudham 
						workhouse could accommodate 35 people.

### The Wilberforce Oak

Beneath an old oak in the grounds of Holwood, the 
						home of William Pitt, William Wilberforce decided to 
						seek the abolition of slavery.  The original oak 
						died around the turn of the century (the sorry remains 
						can be seen below the path) and a replacement has been 
						planted closer to the path.

### Keston Common �

' is the scene of an ecological disaster in H G 
						Wells' book The Food of the Gods.  A local doctor  
						experiments secretly in a nearby cottage with an 
						alkaloid that promotes exceptional growth.  Some of 
						the alkaloid escapes into the ponds where it is eaten by 
						tadpoles and works its way up the food chain.  Soon 
						the Common is overrun with giant plants and animals.  
						The tale is apparently an unconvincing allegory for the 
						contrast between large and small units in local 
						government ' Wells preferring the large.

### Public Transport

The following buses pass the roundabout at the 
						junction of Westerham Road and Heathfield Road passed 
						near the beginning of the walk (from where you follow 
						Westerham Road southwards'):

Bus 146 from Bromley North and Bromley South on its 
						way to Downe.  The service is hourly every day.

Bus 246 from Bromley North and Bromley South to 
						Biggin Hill and Westerham.  The service is 
						half-hourly from Monday to Saturday and hourly on 
						Sunday.

Bus R2 from Orpington High Street or station 
						(half-hourly, not Sundays).

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