No. 12. REDLEAF, THE SEAT OF WILLIAM WELLS, ESQ., F.H.S. THE estate of Redleaf, near Penshurst, lies along the north side and in the bottom of a valley distinguished by the boldness of its undulations, the large proportion of the surface which is under wood and in pasture, the fortunate existence of a fine river, and the cropping out of some rocky strata. The whole surface of this part of the country appears, at no distant period, to have been native forest, or, at all events, under coppice-wood; and hence, in many of the fields, and in all the hedgerows, there are groups of oak trees, aged thorns, maples, and hollies, which give the face of the country the woody appearance of a park. That portion of the estate which Mr. Wells has laid out as a residence occupies a steep undulating bank, facing the southeast, with a deep broad valley at one end, lying in the direction of north and south, and joining the valley of the Eden, a river which afterwards takes the name of the Medway, and joins the Thames at Sheerness. The road from London to Redleaf is one of great variety and beauty. Passing through Lewisham and ascending Bromley Hill, we have a general view of Bromley Hill Park; and, further on, we have a very striking descent, through a beech wood, to the vale of Seven Oaks. Near this town there are several seats, all more or less seen from the road; such as Chipstead Place, Chevening, Montreal, and Knowle; the latter being one of the most ancient baronial residences in England. From Seven Oaks to Redleaf, the road is comparatively private, passing through a wilder and more densely wooded country; the surface boldly undglated, and presenting at every step a change of scene.
