Volunteer
Distance: 4.5 Miles (2 Hours)
OS Map: Explorer 147 (Start at TQ559532)
Park in free car park at One Tree Hill, on road south from Godden Green.
Leave car park by top corner, just to left of information board. At T-junction with fine views across Kent turn right downhill to road. Cross over and turn left, very carefully. At first bend take path to right of entrance to Shepherds Mead between fences and along top of large field. At junction of paths at corner of field, turn sharp left down sunken track between hedges – may be muddy after rain.
At bottom, turn right past converted oast house. Follow metalled track to sharp bend just beyond Coach House on right. Do not follow main track bearing right uphill but instead take stony track on left between hedges and follow past pond from which there are fine views of St Julian’s, an early nineteenth century mansion now used as a country club. After half a mile or so, pass through narrow band of woodland. Immediately after woodland on left ends, take path through gate on left along left hand edge of field to corner. Bear left and go over a stile beside a gate.
Bear right across field to stile in hedge to right of farm. Climb stile, cross private drive and climb another stile into afield. Bear left across field, passing large pond on left, go over stile by gate and cross short field to second stile.
Continue straight ahead uphill passing just left of electricity pole to edge of field and go through gate onto enclosed track. Soon turn sharp right, cross playing field alongside village hall and emerge on road in attractive village of Underriver opposite church (built 1865 by John Davison MP who then lived at Underriver House). Turn left past the “The White Rock” inn and immediately after The Forge take footpath on right through two gates into field.
Initially follow hedge on right. When hedge ends, continue forward to stile. Cross this stile and bear slightly right uphill across the next field to boundary ridge then in same line descend to second boundary ridge and continue to stile at far side of field. Cross next field to protruding corner of hedge then on to stile in corner of field. Cross next field towards another stile, but before you reach it bear left and follow fence on right to another stile.
Once over this stile bear left across field aiming somewhat to right of large dead ash tree and then to stile in hedge. Climb stile into road and turn left.
When road bends left and entrance to Absalom’s Farm is straight ahead, take a lane (Rooks Hill) on the right immediately before farm entrance. Continue up lane until, just past entrance to White House, there is woodland on left. Soon after start of woodland take clearly signposted footpath on left. Continue past entrance to White Rocks Farm Boarding Kennels. Follow access drive to kennels, avoiding all left turns, to reach road opposite where you left it near start of walk.
Taking great care on short section of road, turn right and then right into wood retracing your steps back to car park.
According to the information board, this site was just a couple of fields separated by a few trees prior to 1911, which may explain its name. It was severely affected by the 1987 storm but has recovered rapidly. There are plenty of trees now.
The name is derived from 'sub le ryver' meaning 'under the hill'. The village was called 'The Golden Valley' by Samuel Palmer, the painter who lived for a time at Shoreham. The village has its own web site: www.underriver-village.org.uk.
Like the village of Underriver, the original Romschedde was probably settled because it lies where the bottom of the greensand beds meet the Wealden clay resulting in a series of springs that ensure a reliable water supply. Romshed Farm is an organic farm seeking to conserve the traditional landscape of small fields, hedgerows and belts of ancient woodland.
Bus service 204 runs from Tonbridge to Underriver where you could start and finish the walk. It is infrequent and does not run at weekends or Wednesdays but if you take the 10:00 bus out and the 13:31 back you will have plenty of time for the walk.
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