Friday, June 19, 2009
Knepp Mill Pond.
Using the trusty OS map we walked from a lane across the fields to see Knepp Mill Pond.
We didn't even know it was there before this day
A 15-minute walk away is Knepp Mill Pond, which was the largest hammer pond in the county when the Weald was a powerhouse of the iron industry. Its proportions are those of a huge lake, its setting fit for a Constable landscape. King John used to lead hunting parties in these fields in the 12th century and a gallant, stag-headed old oak standing alone in a meadow near the pond might have witnessed him galloping by.
From a web site.
I confess that we didn't know to look for a gallant, stag headed old oak.
You really will need to enlarge this picture with a click of the mouse if you wish to see a herd of deer.
They saw us walking across the field and moved.
Scattered about are the remains of little industrial buildings - for this was a centre of industry in earlier times.
Bill explored and found the remnants of a small overshot mill wheel in a building well below the level of the lake.
Tramping back across the meadow.
Tramping back across the meadow.
Knepp Castle remains in the distance.
There had been a motte and bailey castle, built in the 11th century. But this is all that remains.
It seems to be such a rural peaceful spot.
But on the other side of Knepp Castle is the busy dual carriage way A24 road, which we will whizz down tomorrow as we go to Ford.
Now we can look at the standing remains and know a little of what lies beyond it.
There is a new building known as Knepp Castle. It is privately owned.
