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A walk from Newington Railway Station to a WW1 Pill Box (about 2.3 miles; 50 minutes)
The pill box in question is unusual in that it retains some of the original "window frame" wood.
Walk out of the station and look at the building front/left...
...This is the site of the Leigh Arms (pub) - now a private dwelling.
Earliest reference is about 1868. Which makes sense as the railway opened 25 January 1858 and the station opened 1 August 1862 by the East Kent Railway (later London, Chatham and Dover Railway).
Walk south from the station to the A2 and notice the twinned buildings either side of Station Road.
Keep to the east (your left) side of the road. When you reach the Chinese take-away, turn left and cross over the A2 using the pelican crossing.
Turn back towards the Bull Pub & Indian take-away. Look right towards Station Road at "the twins".
They were erected in 1863 soon after Station Road was built. (Ref: "Newington Then & Now", P Judges, G & T Dudley). An old "GR" letter box can still be seen in the wall,
Turn south (left) into Bull Lane and continue until you come to Callaways Lane on the left.
Walk a few yards up Callaways Lane to find Newington Manor house on your right - now a private house.
Originally called Cranbrook Manor, it's a grade II, 14th century medieval hall house with 17th century additions.
It is alleged that Henry VIII stayed here, although he may have stayed in the black & white building at the junction of Church Lane and the A2 (know locally as "The Inglenook").
The interior of the manor was used in an episode of "London's Burning" - I only know this because my neighbour was a cleaner at the time!
A few yards further on is the National Witch Hazel Collection.
It isn't advertised and you would never know it was there!
Occasionally, the owner opens up the site for tours (maybe once a year).
Walk on around the bend to the unmade road between the "new" houses. Walk down here (east) to the second gate on your right (about 300 yards).
Be careful underfoot - this lane is occasionally used by irresponsible dog owners.
This second gate marks the start of a long green lane running almost dead south. Turn into the lane and take time to read the information board (provided by Newington History Group).
Continue walking south down the green lane to the second information board near to the Activities Centre (paint-balling and quad-biking).
Here the lane turns to gravel/earth - continue south uphill.
Continue south up the hill over the plastic reinforcements.
When you see the farmhouse in front of you, climb over the stile on your left, or go through the gate (remembering to close it behind you please!).
Take a moment to locate the gate opposite you at the top of the field.
The path is a straight line from the stile to the gate. The path is not clearly marked by footfall.
You can see the pillbox in the distance.
Go though the gate to find the pillbox to your left.
Go through the gate and the pill box is a few yards in front of you.
Notice the wooden "window frames" - these helped prevent bullets & shrapnel ricocheting into the box and injuring the soldiers inside.
Note the offset window opening for firing east (left).
This box (and others in the same defence line) were never used in anger because the enemy (the German Army) never invaded England during WW1.
Notice the placement of the windows - they were only designed to defend from attack from the eastern side.
To return to the station, retrace your steps.
Variation: at the very far north end of the green lane...
...at the junction of the unmade road & green lane, take the narrow footpath immediately opposite the gate. it leads to "The Tracies" and onto the start of Callaways Lane. Walk right (north) onto the footpath on the A2 (Note: footpath is narrow here and it's a blind turning in for cars). Follow the footpath left (west) to the Pelican crossing, cross there and then back onto Station Road.
Newington in a Nutshell
Free event on Sunday, September 6th at the Village Hall covers 2,000 years of Newington history in just 2.5 hours! We'll have talks, the chance for you to chat with local experts and displays.. 2pm-4.30pm