Starting Point For Parish Peregrination Series
Parish Peregrination is intended as a circular walking route, as opposed to a cache and dash circuit, linking our additions to sadexploration's Church Micro series here at Goodnestone ( GC2VNYW - CM 1820), Nonington (GC2VPVE - CM 1822), Womenswold (GC2WDV5- CM 1859), Barfreston (GC2VKH4), Chillenden (GC2VKF6 - CM 1815),and Knowlton (GC2TEA6).
The route is intended to start at and will be described from Parish Peregrination - Rosings. The entire route is approximately 14 miles (22.5km). A map given an approximation of the route can be found here. It will take in the 6 fore mentioned Church Micro's plus 23 additional 'trail' caches. There is an opportunity to split the route into two, one of 6.5 miles (10.5km) the other 8 miles (13km). The route is via public rights of way with a number of moderate climbs and descents, BUT does require some quiet lane walking where the usual care will be needed. There are NO FTF prizes as such, although a number of the small caches only contain a very neat LED Torch, so PLEASE Trade Up - Trade Even - Or Don't Trade these items folks.
PARKING: Waypoint co-ords given are for the Garden car park where Lady FitzWalter has kindly permitted cacher's to park for the walk to avoid causing congestion outside the church. PLEASE only use this parking during daylight.
From the car park follow the co-ords for Parish Peregrination - Rosings. This footpath will lead all the way across the parkland. The impressive Goodnestone Park House is tantalisingly visible over high wall. After you've past the far end of the wall, look back for a more revealing glimpse of the House.
"Rosings"
An estate has existed here since Saxon times when Lord Godwin, father of King Harold, held Goodnestone as part of his Kentish lands. It was known to still be occupied in 1560, although the original manor was eventually abandoned during the reign of Queen Anne. The estate was purchased in 1700 by Brook Bridges - 1st Baronet of Goodnestone, who held a senior post in the Treasury of King Charles II. His first act was to demolish the old manor and have a two storey Palladian house built of blue and red bricks, finished in 1704. In 1765 the estate passed to the Fitzwalter family through marriage, and remains with the family to this day. During WWII the house and grounds were requisitioned by the Army and the grounds became a tank repair depot. Extended and altered by following generations, it's importance to our heritage was recognised when, in 1952, it was granted Grade II listed building status. The grounds have also undergone extensive changes from the original formal gardens to the parkland you now see around you. The parkland contains some magnificent and rare trees, some of which may be seen from the footpath.
Goodnestone Park House is also well known to aficionados of the novelist Jane Austen. In 1765, Sir Brooke Bridges - 3rd Baronet, grandson of the 1st Baronet, married Fanny Fowler, the co -heiress of the ancient Norman barony of FitzWalter established in 1295 by the grandson of Robert FitzWalter who had forced King John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215. They had a daughter Elizabeth, who married Edward Austen, brother of Jane Austen. Jane Austen was a regular visitor to Goodnestone Park and during a visit in 1869, she began writing her 2nd novel 'First Impressions', later changed to 'Pride and Prejudice'. Many 'Pride and Prejudice' fans argue that 'Rosings', the house of the character Lady Catherine de Borough, was based on Goodnestone Park House, although a number of other Stately Homes vie for the title. Goodnestone Park House has been home to lady FitzWalter for over 50 years and is best known nowadays for it's Award winning gardens, thought by many as the finest in the South East of England. Parish Peregrination - Rosings cache has been placed with the kind permission of Lady FitzWalter.
After the cache, continue along the footpath - refer to GC2W7DA Parish Peregrination - Pinners Farm House.