David Wilson, Out and About.: Ranscombe Farm Reserve & Cobham Woods

This video should really be entitled, "Lost in the Woods". 😂

Starting out from Ranscombe Farm Reserve car park, this walk should have been approximately five miles, however, taking a wrong path in the woods lead to the walk being extended by an extra four miles. Nevertheless, this was a very enjoyable walk on what turned out to be a beautiful warm sunny March day.

About Ranscombe Farm Reserve:

Ranscombe Farm Reserve is situated on the stunning North Downs and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is managed by Plantlife, the UK’s leading wildflower conservation charity. This 560-acre reserve has 10km of footpaths to explore across ancient farmland, pockets of chalk grassland, and coppice woods with stunning views across the Medway Gap and Luddesdown valley.

The site is famous for its extremely unusual collection of rare wild plants, especially arable wildflowers, and orchids. Species of note are the tall pink Corncockle, once thought to be extinct, and the internationally rare Broadleaved Cudweed. There are several varieties of wild poppies that form rich red carpets along the edges of the farm’s wheat fields from late May, and Blue Pimpernel, Wild Pansy, Venus’s Looking Glass, and Dense Flowered Fumitory can also be spotted.

The woodlands are now being managed for conservation and have good populations of dormice, birds, large mammals, butterflies and insects. There are free guided walks available throughout the year and opportunities to volunteer on the site.

About Cobham Woods:

Cobham Wood is 190 acres of restored wood pasture located within the historic Cobham Park. Standing at the highest point of the site is the 18th century, Grade I listed Darnley Mausoleum, owned by the National Trust. Designed by architect James Wyatt, and recently restored to its former splendour. The Mausoleum is usually open on special days from April to September.

About Darnley Mausoleum:

The Earls of Darnley were usually buried in Westminster Abbey, but by the late 18th century, their vaults were full. In his will, the 3rd Earl, John Bligh, left instructions for a mausoleum to be built in Cobham Park, Kent, where he and his descendants could be laid to rest in a grand manner.

Lord Darnley's ideas for his mausoleum were possibly inspired by the Roman remains, including the monumental pyramid mausoleum of Cestius, he saw on the 'Grand Tour'. He may also have been influenced by French artist Nicholas Poussin's picture 'The Sacrament of Ordination.

Of the detailed instructions he left in his will, it clearly stated that he wanted a square stone building with a 'prominent pyramid' surrounded by a dry moat.

James Wyatt and George Dance the Younger:

After the Earl's death, the family commissioned architect James Wyatt to design a mausoleum following the instructions set out in his will.

Wyatt exhibited his design at the Royal Academy in 1783, but due to a heavy workload, the mausoleum was built under the supervision of another famous architect, George Dance the Younger.

Left unused:

The mausoleum was completed in 1786, at a cost of £9000 (well over £1 million in today's prices), but there was a problem... For reasons that remain unclear, possibly involving a dispute with the Bishop of Rochester, the Darnley Mausoleum was not consecrated and could not be used for burial.