"Putting Down Routes" Rail Ramble from Cuxton Station, Sunday 9th March.
The Kent Downs National Landscape Putting Down Routes team partnered with Kent Community Rail Partnership and North Downs Way Ambassadors to deliver the Cuxton and Ranscombe Farm Circular Rail Ramble. Together we aim to bring under-represented groups into the Kent Downs, encourage sustainable tourism to the area and extend the typical summer tourist season to all year round.
On Sunday 9th March we were joined by 15 walkers for a 6 mile circular walk taking in the stunning chalk downland and farmland of Ranscombe Farm, the impressive Darnley Mausoleum, village of Cuxton and Britain’s newest National Nature Reserve.
We began by passing through Cuxton village to find a bridge that takes the North Downs Way across the London – Dover mainline railway. We were then in woodland with extensive views across Dean valley and Bush Valley, providing some wonderful photo opportunities.
The anticipated mud largely failed to appear as we crossed wildflower meadows with Skylarks and Red Kites above us into Cobham Woods, taking a rather overgrown path to emerge at the Darnley Mausoleum.
The mausoleum was intended to be the last resting place of the Earls of Darnley. Completed in 1786, the Bishop of Rochester refused to consecrate the grounds and it was never used for burials.
The Darnley family sold Cobham Hall in the 1950s, leaving the woods and the mausoleum unwatched. The mausoleum suffered vandalism and an arson attack, finally being restored before its transfer to the National Trust in 2014.
Having returned to Cuxton some of the group visited the pub and local shops for refreshments, bringing some tourist spend to the local economy.
Everyone was smiling and had enjoyed the walk. There had been friendly conversation and laughter throughout, with many people planning their next Days Out By Rail adventure.
We hope our walk will inspire you to explore the Kent countryside by train, participants will receive a survey shortly seeking their feedback.
