|
Although you do not need to do the food trail to find the cache,
the trail offers you a wonderful day out walking and taking in the
local sights, along with enjoying a meal or drink at one of the
area’s fine local eateries or pubs.
From manicured orchards to distant reminders of the area’s
industrious brick-making past, you’ll be bowled over by the
tranquil beauty of this rich oasis, grazed by sheep and adorned
with blossom in spring and abundant fruit in summer along this
First Fruit trail.
At every turn you’ll understand why Teynham was the place
Henry VIII chose to plant his historic orchards - the birthplace of
the English cherries we know and love today.
While areas of the expansive orchards planted by the
monarch’s fruitier Richard Harris have been built on, you
don’t have to walk far before fruit trees greet you, lining
your route through grazed pastures to the picturesque coastal
hamlet of Conyer.
The area’s renowned rich soil was once in great demand,
not just for agriculture, but also for brick making. At Conyer
Creek the remains of this once thriving industry are still in
evidence on the waterfront, where bricks were carried to the
capital by sailing barge. Today, much of this land has been turned
over to wildlife and you can catch fine views of nearby Fowley
Island, a natural nature reserve for wetland birds and the
occasional seal.
Then it’s on to bountiful orchards, rich cornfields and
crystal clear dykes brimming with wild watercress in season as you
make your way to delightful Deerton Street and Nichol Farm. Apples
and pears have been grown next to Henry Vlll’s historic
orchards at Nichol Farm by the Moor family for four generations.
Today the fruit is not just for the king and his court but the
nation’s tables. The 165-acre farm supplies fruit to
supermarkets across the country and presses its own apple and pear
juice, with brands such as King’s Orchard. Visitors are
welcome at the farm, where you may see free-range pigs foraging for
fallen apples beneath the trees as in days gone by.
Your path is now punctuated by corn fields, orchards and
strawberry fields as you make your way to Lewson Street and its
13th century pub, where the beer is brewed from local hops and
barley by Shepherd Neame, the country’s oldest brewer, in
nearby Faversham.
Now deep in the heart of farming country, your route takes you
past apple orchards, oast houses, corn fields and pastures dotted
with grazing sheep. You can also walk to the picturesque village of
Lynsted.
If a piece of treasure is removed from the cache, please
replace with something of equal or greater value.
Optional activity:Take a photo of the finder of
the cache wearing the Faversham Rewards badge
(please do not remove this from the cache) and publish to the
www.geocaching.com website
|