Easy hikes and walks around Darwell Reservoir

The patronage of this church—dedicated to Saint Thomas of Canterbury—takes us back in time to the 12th century and geographically to southeastern England. Thomas Becket (born 1118) was Archbishop of Canterbury and, in the dispute between the Church and the Crown (King Henry II), a "martyr of canon law and ecclesiastical freedom," as Pope Alexander III put it on the occasion of his canonization (1173, just three years after Thomas's violent death). His feast day in the calendar of saints is December 29th. Canterbury Cathedral, where he was murdered in 1170 and which contains his tomb, can be visited virtually in the komoot system at the following link =>> https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/231266

Although their foundation often dates back more than a century – many were erected after the First World War (1914 to 1918) – they are by no means mere relics of a bygone era. The message of the almost ubiquitous "War Memorials," which continue to commemorate the victims of war and tyranny in villages and towns, remains relevant today. Despite certain similar basic patterns, the design of the memorials varies from place to place. But what they all have in common is the urgent appeal to remind us – each generation anew – of the necessity of preserving peace.

As a memorial to the many dead, such monuments - usually called "war memorials" in English - are still very important today. "Now, Lord, you let your servant depart in peace, as you have said..." says the so-called "Hymn of Simeon" (Luke's Gospel, Chapter 2, Verse 29). However, the people who are remembered here did not depart in peace, but became victims of war and tyranny. Therefore, the term "fallen memorial" is now sometimes used in German instead of the previously more common "war memorial".

This tower was erected by the people of Robertsbridge in memory of all those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars. The plaques bear the names of the persons.

This pleasant stretch of the path runs between the train tracks and the Darwell Stream. Next to it, there is a small pond formed between the Darwell Stream and the Glottenham Stream.

In addition to the grave pyramid for John Fuller, whose nickname was "MAD JACK", which is located here in the cemetery, there are a number of buildings to be discovered in the area, which are sometimes referred to as "Fully's Follies". For example: => a round temple (see https://www.komoot.de/highlight/1497509) and => a tower called “Sugar Loaf”. (see https://www.komoot.de/highlight/1497508)

Nice local bakery with cafe. Perfect as a stopover during your bike ride. In addition to whole loaves of bread, the bakery also sells lunch sandwiches, biscuits, cake, milk, soft drinks, beers and of course coffee: everything from black to cappuccinos and flat whites. In addition, they also sell provisions that someone would enjoy on a cycling holiday: everything from pasta to jam, so you can also buy whole loaves of bread at this bakery and spread them immediately for the road. There are seating areas inside, but you can also sit outside in the sun in the summer.

This 35ft high circular stone tower is now obscured by trees. The onginal wooden staircase and platform were lost in a fire and have now been replaced with an iron staircase. There have been many guesses as to why John Fuller built this tower here but none have confirmed.