WES BY WESTERHAM AND MARESFIELD

This road keeps within Kent until the boundary of Sussex is reached,
and runs via Catford Bromley and Keston, climbing gradually to
Westerham Hill, after which there is a steep and dangerous descent to
the small town of Westerham (23 miles) pleasantly situated between the
North Downs and the sandy hills of the Surrey Weald. It is famous as
the birthplace of Wolfe, whose statue adorns the green, around which is
grouped the quietly dignified assemblage of inns, shops and houses that
are typical of this part of Kent. The large and finely situated church
also has a memorial to the local hero, who was born in the vicarage
here and buried at Greenwich.

The road continues through pleasant country over Crockham Hill to
Edenbridge (28 m.) on the small river Eden. Although the immediate
surroundings are dull and featureless this is a good centre from which
to explore the district eastwards to Hever, Penshurst, and Tonbridge.
One mile out of the town we bear left and, in another three, cross the
Kent Water into Sussex. In 7-1/2 miles the road passes over the Medway
to Hartfield (33-1/2 m.) on the edge of Ashdown Forest. The Early
English church has a lych-gate dating from 1520. Inside may be seen
three piscinas, one in an uncommon position near the south door.

[A long mile east is Withyam, with a Perpendicular church famous
for its monuments of the Dorset family. Only a gateway remains of
the ancient Buckhurst mansion, the greater part of the materials
going to the erection of Sackville college at East Grinstead.]

From Hartfield we climb steadily towards the centre of the Forest with
occasional wide views between the close woods which line the northern
slopes.

[Before reaching Camp Hill and near the summit, a path leads left
to Crowborough, which of late years has become suburban and a
second Haslemere. The Beacon commands wide views, but the
immediate surroundings have been spoilt.]

We now drop towards Maresfield with grand forward views over the Weald
to the South Downs.

Maresfield (41 m.) has a small Decorated church with a Norman window in
the nave. Note the ancient woodwork and restored oak porch, also two
stoups, one within and the other outside the church. This was once an
important "Black Country" centre. Local names, such as "The Forge"
perpetuate the memory of this strange period in the history of Sussex,
which was at its busiest about 1680, t