High Weald holidays

Favourite bike ride

"Winding through quintessential historic 'den’ villages - originally settled by pig drovers, cycle some of Sustrans Route 18 which runs from Tunbridge Wells to Canterbury (roughly 70 miles), taking in some of Kent's most beautiful scenery."

"Start off in Tunbridge Wells following the route eastwards out of town towards Pembury. The ride runs along the northern edge of the High Weald, an area typical of this undulating landscape; one minute you'll see some breathtaking High Wealden views and the next you'll be deep in an historic sunken lane. Parts of the route are traffic free - with a particularly lovely section runs through Bedgebury Forest."

Matt Pitts and Ruth Childs

Bird-tastic walk

"A walk in the Forestry Commission’s Darwell Wood, includes some interesting bird spotting at this time of year. Look out for birds such as siskins and redpolls that start flocking together in search of nuts and seeds to fatten up for winter."

"In Darwell Wood in particular, there are patches of Alder trees, the tops of which are full of these small but noisy birds. Occasionally you may be lucky enough to find Crossbills in the conifers and it seems the whole forest is alive with various members of the Tit family; Long tailed, blue, great, coal and the occasional willow that also flock together for the winter season."

Kerry Baldwin

Best place to explore the architecture

"Great Dixter is renowned for its gardens – created by the late Christoper Lloyd. The magnificence of the plantings means it is easy to ignore the buildings and view them merely as attractive backdrops but they are some of the finest examples of Wealden architecture"

"The house is one of the largest timber-framed halls in the country still standing, the barn has a long tiled roof that almost reaches the ground – a feature characteristic of Weald barns; and the exotic garden has been developed by the cow shed on what was the old cattle yard. There is also a fine example of the much-loved oast house with three kilns attached."

"Autumn is a good time to visit as the glory of the garden is beginning to fade leaving time to concentrate on the beautiful architectural detail."

Gerry Sherwin