Halling to Wouldham...

My earlier post described how this journey has been conducted over the centuries, until the advent of Peter's bridge.  Nowadays, it takes just 30 minutes or so to walk from the centre of Halling to Wouldham... 

Primroses at Warren House...

Wouldham church from Halling riverside...

By the riverside beyond the end of Marsh Road in Halling, the foundations of the war-time 1941 Bailey bridge (described in my previous post) can still be seen (as above...)

The ferry steps at Halling...

The ferry steps at Halling, as they are today...

Looking across the river to Wouldham ferry steps...

Wouldham ferry steps...

The ferry steps on the Wouldham side of the river...

The Wouldham ferry steps can only be seen at low tide.  Once on the Wouldham side, I tried to get down Ferry Lane and out on to the marshes to see if the track down to the steps was still there.  Unfortunately, Southern Water were doing some excavations there and I was very politely advised not to get in the way by the workmen (and fair enough!).  I'll have another go sometime soon...  

The remains of the Bishops Palace, behind Halling Church...

Bishops Palace...

Undoubtedly the oldest building in Halling, the Bishops Palace was built at the behest of Gundulph, Archbishop of Canterbury sometime towards the end of the 11th century.  It has spent much of its 900 year lifespan in a state of neglect, a history I will get around to recounting in a future post...

Some strange modern sculpture with Halling church in the background...

Springtime at the riverside...

The church as seen from further up-river...

View from Peters bridge, looking north

View from Peters bridge, looking south...

Peters Bridge, Halling side...

Peters Bridge, Wouldham side...

Installation at Peters Village roundabout...

All Saints Church, Wouldham...

All Saints Church, Wouldham...

All Saints Church, Wouldham...

Wouldham Court farmhouse...

Wouldham Court Farm House is a 16th century building with a Georgian front. This front was added around 1719 later by Captain Robert Trevor, a naval sea captain. The original farmhouse is at the rear.

Captain Trevor's wife, Mary Sole of Sittingbourne, daughter Sarah and his servant Jeremy Trapp died there in 1731. It is thought that Captain Trevor died in the West Indies in 1743, survived by his second wife Elizabeth and daughter Mary.

In the early 1960s, the Farm House was used as a doctor's surgery.  The Grade II listed building is now a bed and breakfast.

Foundation of 1941 Bailey bridge across the Medway, Wouldham side...

Wouldham High Street...

View of Wouldham from Halling rec.