BETCHWORTH. Within a short distance, situated in Betchworth Park (Col. Goulburn), washed by the "Sullen Mole," are the ruins of Betchworth Castle. They are most picturesque, and the grey walls, contrasting with the rich green of the ivy creeping over a great part of them, stand out finely against the deep blue sky. Notice the old Chestnut trees and the walk to Pickett's Hole. Proceeding on our way, with the lofty Down on our right, we pass over the Mole by a viaduct 50 feet high, and then through Box Tunnel to the station at BOX HILL (Surrey). HOTELS-Running Horse; Fox and Hounds. Tourists alight at this station for the point on the Surrey Hills with its celebrated prospects. It took name from the Box Trees planted here in the reign of Charles I., and is now a resort for pic-nic parties. MONEY ORDER OFFICE at Guildford. Half a mile from the station is the village, near which is Shalford House, the demesne of Sir Henry Austen. This is the nearest station to Farley Heath, the scene of the Volunteer Review of Easter Monday, 1864. GUILDFORD (Surrey). POPULATION, 9,801. HOTELS.-White Hart; White Lion. POST HORSES, FLYS, &c., at the station and hotels. A town returning one member, picturesquely situated on the banks of the Wey, and spreading over the steep hill as it rises from the side of the river, It consists of a principal street, nearly a mile long from the bridge on the west, to Stoke on the east, whence several smaller streets extend into the suburbs. It is noted for its good bread, and as the residence of many respectable persons of moderate means. Guildford Castle is supposed to have been built The principal part now remaining is the Keep, of a as early as the time of the Anglo-Saxon kings. and built on an artificial mound of earth. Admission quadrangular form, rising to the height of 70 feet, may be had free, on application to the proprietor of a school adjoining the castle grounds. This is the nearest station likewise for MICKLETAX, a charming village, 24 miles distant. Forbury Park (2 miles), T. Grissell, Esq., a beautiful seat surrounded by fine plantations of oak, beach (one 25 feet round), walnut, yew, in the central situation and convenient distance from the The trade of the town is considerable, from its Draid's Walk, was formerly the seat of the Lockes, metropolis. The Guild or Town-hall, with its prothe friends of Madame D'Arblay, who lived near.jecting clock, and the Corn Market are handsome One mile beyond this is the town of LEATHERHEAD, tee page 76. DORKING, see page 54. buildings. Notice, also, Archbishop Abbot's Hospital, a red brick building, founded 1619; the old Grammar School; Holy Trinity Church, with curious The line, still skirting the Downs, soon brings us old monuments; and the Church of St. Nicholas, to the station of GOMSHALL and SHEIRE. STEIRE was the residence of Bray, the antiquarian, who edited Evelyn's Memoirs. In the immediate rinity is Abinger Hall (2 miles), built by Lord Abinger. Hound House. Lord Justice James. Netley Place (1 mile) Albury Park (1) mile), seat of the Dake of Northumberland, containing the Irvingite cathedral, built by Mr. Drummond, the banker, the Duchess's father. A yew hedge is quarter of a mile long. Near this is Newland's Corner, from which a most extensive prospect may be obtained. Merrow Down Is 525 feet high, C 80 which was rebuilt, 1876, on the former site, and is a stone Gothic structure, 118 feet by 61 feet. It cost £12.000. The Loseley Chapel, which makes part of it, has been restored. Two miles to the eastward of the town is a fine circular Race-course. The roads in the neighbourhood are extremely picturesque-that from Guildford to Farnham in particular, running along the Hog's Back, a ridge of high chalk hills, eommanding an extensive prospect. The County Hospital is near. The following are at hand:-Loseley House, J. More Molyneux, Esq., the former seat of the Mores, having much old furniture, pictures, letters, &c., From this station the railway passes that of EARLEY, near Maiden Erleigh Park, and over a level but highly cultivated country, interspersed with villages and country-seats, until it ASH.-Distance from the station, 1 mile. OMNI- reaches the terminus at The line now diverges or turns more towards the north, to ALDERSHOT Station (North Camp), and thence to FARNBOROUGH, about a mile from the station of the same name on the South Western line, see page 80. The line then proceeds through the valley of the Blackwater to BLACKWATER. HOTELS.-Duke of York; Duke of Cambridge. A mile further is Sandhurst Royal Military College (Staff College and Cadet College), situated to the right of the line, in the centre of a fine Park. Peculiar interest attaches to this establishment, from the fact of its being the school where some of our ablest military men have acquired their rudiAlfonso XII., the present imentary education. Cambridge King of Spain, was a student here. Town, as the village was ca led, is now styled Camberley; and is near to York Town and the new Farnborough and Ascot line (page 80). The railway then takes almost a direct line for several miles, passing the Wellington College, a building erected in 1856 for the sons of military officers, as a memento of the Duke of Wellington. WOKINGHAM (Berks.) POPULATION, 2,868. HOTELS-Rose; Bush. Reading, on the Thames, for the description of which and other information, see Section II. South Eastern Main Line continued. On leaving Red Hill, from which the line was first projected to Dover, the railway turns off towards the south-east, past the village of Nutfield, a short distance beyond which is Bletchingley, both situated on a range of hills Bletchingley church is a handsome building containing several fine monuments and remains of a stolen brass-and there are the ruins of a Castle in the neighbourhood. A little further on, the line passes through Bletchingley Tunnel (1,824 yards), and shortly after the train reaches GODSTONE (Surrey). The name of the village adjacent is derived from a corruption of "good stone," significant of the excellence of the quarries there worked. There was formerly a mineral spring of some repute a short distance from Godstone. The parks and mansions in this neighbourhood are much admired, and from some of the hills there are beautiful views of the surrounding country of Surrey and Kent. Tandridge and Limpsfield are pretty villages, about 2 miles distant. At Rook's Nest, 24 miles POST HORSES, FLYS, &c., at the station and from here, the beautiful creeping plant, the Wistaria, hotels. FAIR.-Whit Tuesday. was first grown in England. DISTANCES OF PLACES FROM THE STATION. Anchor Farm Blackgrove ............ Bletchingley. Blendley Heath Wokingham is situated on the River Wey, on the borders of Windsor Forest. The town consists of three streets, with a handsome new Town Hall (modern Gothic) and Market Place in the centre. The Parish Church is picturesque, and has been restored. A new church has been built by J. Walter, Bradfield Esq., M.P., of Bear Wool, proprietor of The Times. | Byes Miles. 24 Miles. Comforts Place........ 34 04 3 Felbridge Park......... 5 Miles. Miles. 3 Oxted. Godstone Green ...... 4 Park Farm............... 3 Goulds 3 Postergate. 4. Hedze Court... 7 Peartree........ Perry's Farm Perry's..... 3 Hook Priory House 4 ............. 4. Irr House 24 Jenkins Land......... Rook's Nest ............ Snout's Farm Starborough Castle... 8 Live House Lee Place........ 24 Lezhan................. 2 Ling held.............. 4 Moat Farm ............ 34 2 3 3 24 ......... 2 Stile........ North Park ....................... KENT. This county forms the south-eastern extremity of the island of Great Britain, bounded on the orta by the Thames; on the east and south-east by the German Ocean and the Straits of Dover; on the south-west by the English Channel and county of Sussex; and on the west by that of Surrey. From the diversity of its surface, the noble rivers by which it is watered, the richness and variety of land scenery, and the more sublime beauties of coast, this county may be said to rank among the most interesting portions of our island; while merous remains of antiquity, the splendid drals, venerable castles, and mouldering moedifces, are connected with some of the most arkable events in English history. Two chains of hills, called the Upper and Lower, rasthrough the middle of the county from east to generally about eight miles asunder; the the range is part of the extensive ridge which Ta through Hampshire and Surrey to Dover, where it terminates in the well known white cliffs. Beyond the southern or lower range is what is called the Wead of Kent, a large tract of rich and fertile land. devoted to hope, fruit, &c. Kent is essentially and sely an agricultural county. The Isle of tremarkably fertile, but in the Isle of Sheppy ne-fifth of the land is arable; the rest consists marsh and pasture land, and is used for breeding and fattening sheep and cattle. The Thames, the Medway, the Stour, the Rother, the Durent are the principal rivers; while 39 amall streams diffuse fertility in every EDENBRIDGE (Kent). HOTEL-Albion (at the station). FAIR.-May 6th. The village of Edenbridge, situated 1 mile from the station, derives its name from the little river Eden, one of the tributary streams of the Medway. There are several chalybeate springs in the neighbourhood. The church of Edenbridge is a fine ancient edifice, containing several handsome tombs; also a curious monument of the Earl of Wiltshire. At 5 miles distance is the village of WESTERHAK (to which a branch rail is projected), where General Wolfe was born, 1727, and a short distance south of the line is Hever Castle, once the residence of Queen Anne Boleyn. The Castle was erected in the reign of Edward III. by William de Hean. It subsequently fell into the hands of the Cobhams, who disposed of it to Sir Geoffrey Boleyn, a rich mercer of London, and great grandfather of Anne Boleyn. ing; many of the rooms present the same appearIt stands in a flat spot, and is an interesting buildance as during the visits of Henry VIII. Various shields, with the arms and alliances of the Boleyn is still inhabited; it is surrounded by a moat, the family, are displayed on the windows. The Castle entrance embattled and defended by a drawbridge and portcullis. It belongs to E. Waldo, Esq., of Stonewall Park, a cattle breeder. Anne of Cleves died here in 1557. It is open on Wednesdays. The half ruined Church has two good brasses. ing"), near Hever, is one of the prettiest in the The village of Chiddingstone (sounded "Chidecounty; and is so named from a stone which is, or was, in a farmyard here. Chiddingstone, or High of Mr. Nasmyth, the engineer and astronomer. Street House, Capt. Streatfield. Near it is the houes The neighbourhood here begins to get thronged with objects of attraction sufficient to draw the tourist from his main route. FAIR.-Monday after June 24th. This is a small but exceedingly pretty village, celebrated for Penshurst Castle, the seat of Lord de L'Isle and Dudley, who has carefully restored it. This Elizabethan structure stands in a good Park, and covers a large area with its court, halls, and quadrangles. It also contains a valuable collection of paintings, which visitors, by the kindness of the noble owner, are permitted to view. It was formerly the seat of Sir Philip Sidney. Open days and Saturdays. There is an old rectory, with an old restored Church, containing brasses and the Sidney Chapel. This town is, with the exception of Bath, the most ancient of the inland watering places. Nature has eminently favoured it by the salubrity of its air, the potency of its mineral springs, and the adjacent appendages of romantic and agreeable scenery. Dudley Lord North, a young nobleman of the Court of Janies I., whilst on a visit to Eridge House, happened to taste the waters, and these renovating a constitution impaired by too much Mon-indulgence, caused him to bring the place into fashionable repute. From that time visitors gradually increased, streets were laid out, lodging-houses built, and now, though the caprice of fashion has somewhat depreciated the fame of our own spas, Tunbridge Wells may still boast a large share of patronage in the season, which extends from May till November. South Park, the seat and property of Lord Hardinge is two miles distant towards the south. DISTANCES OF PLACES FROM THE STATION:Miles. Belle Vue (Col. Aus Miles Knole Park (Lord Sackville)............ 4 Leigh Park ............ Penshurst Salmonds 2 3 2 34 we MARKET DAY.-Alternate Tuesdays. FAIRS.-March 6, July 5, and last Friday in Oct. Situated on the Tun and four hranches of the Medway, all crossed by bridges. It is noted for its excellent old Grammar School, lately rebuilt and enlarged, with sixteen exhibitions. A Public Hall was built 1876, in the Gothic style, with a tower 74 feet high. The Castle, of which a fine noble gateway flanked by round towers still remains, was built by Richard Fitz Gilbert, Earl of Clare and Hertford, who likewise founded a priory here for Augustine Canons, the refectory of which may be seen. Open on Saturdays from 10 till 4, by permission of the proprietor. Tunbridge, besides being the branch station for passengers to Tunbridge Wells, has a convenient refreshment-room appended. Oxenlwth, Sir W. P. Geary, Bart. Hadlow Tower, 4 m. TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND HASTINGS BRANCH. Tubridge Junction to Hastings. The railway commences through a series of deep cuttings, and then proceeds through a tunnel of considerable length. The strata on each side of the line is composed of ironstone and sand-stoue, diversified with clay, in a manner quite peculiar to the county. TUNBRIDGE WELLS (Kent.) POPULATION, about 19,410. HOTELS. The Calverley; Kentish Royal; Royal Sussex; Wellington. OMNIBUSES to and from the station, also to Paddock Wood. POST HORSES, FLYS, &c., at the station and hotels. MARKET DAYS.-Daily. The town is built upon a sandy soil, and is divided into five districts; it has been much modernised of late years, the Parade, paved with pantiles, alone evincing any symptoms of antiquity. The houses are chiefly detached villas with lawns in front, and large gardens in the rear. Those that are situated on the mounts have extensive views, that combine hill and dale, forests and fields, commons, meadows, and corn lands, with a large tract of hop-grounds. The springs rise at the end of the Parade, or Pon tiles, at the Old Wells and a new Pump Room (1877), close to the Post Office, with trees on one side, and a colonnade with shops on the other. The water is a strong chalybeate, and possesses great tonic power, but ought not to be taken without medical advice. A band plays three times a day on the Parade in the season, from July until November; but the former gaieties have long since declined. At Bishop's Down Grove is a Hydropathic House and Spa. The climate is congenial, and the air upon the Downs has a fine bracing and exhilarating property, There is almost perfect immunity from fog, and being sheltered from the north-east winds by the North Downs, the temperature throughout the winter is pleasant and equable. The hotels and boarding-houses are generally of a superior description. The manufacture of wooden toys and articles of domestic use, long celebrated as "Tunbridge Ware," is still carried on here to a considerable extent. The old Race-course still exists, but it is not used; a new cricket ground has been made where great matches are held. The old Chapel has a sun-dial with this inscription: "You may waste but cannot stop me." A Great Hall has been built St. Peter's Church was built 1875, in Windmill Fields. Large Gasworks in 1879. The drives are numerous, Excursions may be made to the Eridge Rocks, about 3 miles south-west of the town; great masses of sandstone, overgrown with trees. To Eridge Park the property of Marquis of Abergavenny. To the Toad Rock on Rusthal Common. To High Rocks (14 mile similar to Eridge Rocks. Penshurst is five miles distant. Herer, seven miles distant. Southboroug two and a half miles, at which there is a noble cricket ground, in great request among the clubs d the neighbourhood; there is also a smaller one o OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. Southborough Common. Somerhill (Sir J. Goldsmid, Bart. 2 miles, a fine Elizabethan building, once the residence of the Earl of Leicester and General Lambert. Bagham Abbey, the seat of the Marquis | of Camden, four and a half miles distant, the ruins being exceedingly picturesque: the modern mansion is in the Gothic style. Open Tuesday and Friday. There are other fine seats and handsome villas in HOTELS.-Old George; Ostrich. 37 the vicinity (including Dornden, sometime the resi-banks of the river Rother. The village of red brick houses is situated on the beautiful walks and drives. From Tunbridge Wells the railway proceeds souththrough a short tunnel at starting, and then proceeds rd. and enters the county of Sussex, passing | through a deep cutting. FRANT (Sussex and Kent). Distance from station, 1 mile. HOTEL-Abergavenny Arms. Excellent gypsum was found in the unsuccessful search for coal. BATTLE (Sussex). POPULATION, 3,495. Distance from station, mile. OMNIBUSES to and from the station. Art distance from this station is Eridge Castle, month. FAIRS.-September 26 and November 22nd. MARKET DAY.-The second Monday in each the demesne of the Marquis of Abergavenny. There are several handsome villas in the neighbourhood, the its present name from being the spot on which the Bery of which is exceedingly varied. This town was formerly called Epiton, and received Frant Court, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe. Dr. Allnatt's the Duke of Normandy, in 1066. After the contest Saxons, under Harold, were defeated by William, ratory is 595 feet above the sea. Between Frant and Robertsbridge the scenery memorate his victory, and the high altar in the the Conqueror founded a magnificent Abbey to com picturesque, though the country is My rated, and the hop-grounds are particu- the body of the heroic Saxon prince was found. The church is said to have stood on the very spot where Distance from station, 4 mile. WADHURST. MAT DAY-Saturday. Fan-Apr 29th and November 1st. noble gateway of Battle Abbey has a fine effect when seen from the town. The grounds are now in possession of the Duke of Cleveland, who liberally throws them open to public inspection every Friday, at 14 p.m. It gives name to the "Battle Roll," a sort of primitive "Court Guide," which furnishes a Yor to this station there is rather a long tunnel: list valuable to the antiquary and historian of those here is worth a visit. To Rotherfield and where the iron railing of St. Paul's was made. Castle. The Church contains some old monuments Brawn (804 feet high). To Lamber. families who came over with William the Conqueror. The original was burnt at Cowdray TICEHURST ROAD. MARKEY DAY.-Sat. FAIRS.-May 4, and Oct. 7. and three brasses. It is rather a large town, situated on mingled scene of hill and dale, wood and village, The view from the Abbey grounds takes in the To station, in a fine agricultural country. Wes'? with its old Palace of the Primates. too often disregards the beauty of the country tunnel and cutting, to annihilate time and space, , and view of 50 churches. Bedybury, through which he passes. gt Hon. A. Beresford-Hope. ETCHINGHAM. The stations at Frant, Etchinghain, and Battle | 1 drth at Etchingham is a fine old edifice, To ALfew brasses of the Etchinghams. Berwash or "Burrish," in a beautiful a nest of sinugglers, and the old seat of her family. Brightling Needle (view) Fine views at Heathfield Park (Sir C. Bart and Cross-in-Hand. Bodtham Castle (5 m) pronounced "Bodj-am," arly perfect mediaval ruin, built 1386, by the Purge family; consisting of a moated e with round and square towers at the and sides, a machiolated gate, hall, chapel, cases. &c. |