Читать книгу Railway Day Trips: 160 classic train journeys around Britain - Julian Holland - Страница 36

This delightfully short train journey can only be currently undertaken on Saturdays from April to October but the destination of Hever Castle is well worth the effort. The first part of our journey is along the Spa Valley Railway from Tunbridge Wells West station to Eridge – this section was closed by BR in 1985 and was completely reopened in 2011 as a heritage railway. Passenger services are either steam hauled or provided by a diesel multiple unit, with trains calling at High Rocks Halt and Groombridge before heading south to parallel the national rail network line from Hurst Green to Uckfield, as far as Eridge.

Passengers for Hever board a northbound train at Eridge for the 15-minute journey along the mainly single-track line to Hever, calling en route at Ashurst and Cowden then passing through Mark Beech Tunnel to arrive at their destination. The attractive village of Hever and its castle are about a 20-minute walk from the station via the signposted Eden Valley Walk.

Hever Castle has a fascinating history. It was built in the 13th century and from 1462 to 1539 was the seat of the Boleyn family. King Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, spent her childhood there but following her execution in the tower of London in 1536 and the death of her father in 1539 the castle became the property of the king. He then bestowed it to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, as a settlement following the annulment of their marriage. After passing through several other owners the castle was bought in 1903 by American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor, who restored it to its former glory.

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

15th-century Hever Castle (home of Ann Boleyn) with its mazes, lakes and gardens

FREQUENCY OF TRAINS

Tunbridge Wells West to Eridge 5 per day (Sat-Sun, Mar-Oct) Eridge to Hever 1 per hour (Sat)

13¾ MILES 30 + 15 MINUTES

NUMBER OF CHANGES: 1

(Eridge)

Restored Southern Railway Class ‘M7’ 0-4-4T No. 53 makes a fine sight while heading a train on the Spa Valley Railway between Eridge and Groombridge.

The moated Tudor castle at Hever was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII’s second wife.