Upper Ifield

Path in Ashenbank Wood

Entrances to underground air raid shelters in Ashenbank Wood

The northern part of Ashenbank Wood here is owned by the Woodland Trust whilst the southern part is in private ownership. A small part of Ashenbank Wood was lost when the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was built to the north. The striking features of Ashenbank Wood are the numerous veteran trees and pollards. Ashenbank Wood is also well known for its prolific shows of bluebell and wood anemone throughout the site in the spring. Three RAF camps known as Camps 1, 4 and 5 were constructed in Ashenbank Wood following the outbreak of the Second World War when Gravesend Airport was requisitioned by the Air Ministry to become a satellite station for Biggin Hill. There were 76 structures within the camps including three officers' barracks, but the remains of Camps 1 and 4 were lost to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. However, there are still four underground air raid shelters on the site and the entrance to two of them can be seen here. There is also an information board - see Link

Information board in Ashenbank Wood

Entrance to underground air raid shelter in Ashenbank Wood

The northern part of Ashenbank Wood here is owned by the Woodland Trust whilst the southern part is in private ownership. A small part of Ashenbank Wood was lost when the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was built to the north. The striking features of Ashenbank Wood are the numerous veteran trees and pollards. Ashenbank Wood is also well known for its prolific shows of bluebell and wood anemone throughout the site in the spring. Three RAF camps known as Camps 1, 4 and 5 were constructed in Ashenbank Wood following the outbreak of the Second World War when Gravesend Airport was requisitioned by the Air Ministry to become a satellite station for Biggin Hill. There were 76 structures within the camps including three officers' barracks, but the remains of Camps 1 and 4 were lost to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. However, there are still four underground air raid shelters on the site and the entrance to one of them can be seen here. There is also an information board - see Link

Entrance to underground air raid shelter in Ashenbank Wood

The northern part of Ashenbank Wood here is owned by the Woodland Trust whilst the southern part is in private ownership. A small part of Ashenbank Wood was lost when the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was built to the north. The striking features of Ashenbank Wood are the numerous veteran trees and pollards. Ashenbank Wood is also well known for its prolific shows of bluebell and wood anemone throughout the site in the spring. Three RAF camps known as Camps 1, 4 and 5 were constructed in Ashenbank Wood following the outbreak of the Second World War when Gravesend Airport was requisitioned by the Air Ministry to become a satellite station for Biggin Hill. There were 76 structures within the camps including three officers' barracks, but the remains of Camps 1 and 4 were lost to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. However, there are still four underground air raid shelters on the site and the entrance to one of them can be seen here. There is also an information board - see Link

CTRL and A2 at Shorne

The CTRL (Channel Tunnel Rail Link) running parallel to the A2 at the (road) junction for Shorne and Cobham.

Entrance to Shorne Wood Country Park

Grounds of Cobham Hall

Cobham Hall is a private school with extensive grounds - viewed here from the road along the western edge of the estate.

Ashenbank Wood, Cobham

One of several public paths through Ashenbank Wood

Byway through Ashenbank Wood

Eurostar at Cobham

Eurostar on the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link near Cobham at the point where it runs from embankment into cutting.

View towards Park Pale

Park Pale is by the A2 just about where it becomes the M2. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) may also mistily be seen.

Robin Webster

Entrance to Rochester and Cobham Golf Course

On small road that goes over M2 and CTRL, from Shorne. Also part of a footpath from Shorne to Cobham, goes through the golf course on a well marked route. Although beware flying golfballs from amateur golfers...

CTRL railbridge over road

Unnamed road heads towards Shorne from Rochester and Cobham Golf Course. Also part of a footpath from Cobham to Higham and Shorne. Footpath on right heads towards Knight's Place, but maybe diverted or blocked as footpath on other side of Place is diverted. Railway carries fast trains from Ashford/Folkestone to London, heading right to left.

Entrance into Ashenbank Wood

From carpark on Halfpence Lane. Wood was once part of the Cobham Hall Estate. It covers 29.9 hectares and is managed by the Woodland Trust.

Footpath in Ashenbank Wood

NS178 from Cobham leads to A2 dual carriageway (past 2nd fence in photo) and then onto Shorne Wood Country Park.

Road Bridge over CTRL

Offramp from A2 dual carriageway meets roundabout (unseen on left) leading to Cobham, Cobham Hall School or Shorne. Channel Tunnel Rail Link heads to London from Ashford, via new Ebbsfleet Station.