One of the relaxing things to do in Deal in Kent is walk. There are many walks that can be arranged, some are also suitable for taking picnics.
One of the most beautiful walks, not to be missed in spring is the Bluebell trail. Canterbury University of Kent has an amazing small wood with beautiful Bluebells, but the BEST walk is in the woods at Kingsdown. Known locally as Kingsdown Wood, it is like walking into a small part of heaven, especially on a later afternoon, when the smaller children are in bed.

Upon walking there recently to check out and see if the bluebells were yet in flower, my husband and I came upon the old owner of the woods, and his daughter taking an afternoon stroll. We had no idea he had owned the woods until he introduced himself and started talking. The history he told us was so interesting I have written it here both to honour the gentleman himself and to keep the history alive as it is so interesting.

He had given the wood to the National Trust over 25 years before so that the public would always be able to enjoy the walks. His daughter told me that the woods had originally been called sixpenny woods, as there had been a charge of six pennies to walk in it. This was used to maintain the wood, and keep it clean. It had actually been maintained by the daughter’s childminder for many years; who had loved the woods and maintaining them had been a labour of love. It had also been known as Primrose Wood as it had absolutely beautiful pale yellow primroses growing wild in it. Sadly the primroses were taken by travellers for their own gardens and there are now hardly any left, though for the connoisseur, if they look hard they are occasionally to be found here and there.

The woods themselves have since been most excellently kept by National Trust. The moss covered trees that are felled (these are for maintenance reasons) look part of the scene naturally and the bluebells are growing thickly. There is an ancient rope swing that the previous owner of the woods told us his children had been the first to use many years before. The children love it. It is perfectly safe, or it was when I did actually try it! It swings out over a pit, and is quite high, so not for the faint hearted or young children.

Coming out of the woods the views of the Dover Channel in the distance are truly magnificent. There is no café, but it is ideal to take a picnic. There are no bins, so a carrier for rubbish will be needed. Dogs are also walked there, and though the pathway to the woods is not cleared always by the dog owners, the woods itself is clean.

So if you come for a visit in spring the woods are a must of a true English countryside in spring.

I would like to thank the former owner for giving the woods to the public to enjoy; also to thank him and his daughter for the history of Kingsdown woods. The Link below has some beautiful photos of the bluebells and the wood.

http://www.kingsdown.net/woods.htm