Conquering the A23

 BURGESS HILL, ALBOURNE, BLACKSTONE, HENFIELD, HURST COLLEGE LOOP

I've struck lucky with the weather, lately. Sometimes, it seems that the rain works itself into a cycle that means when Friday rolls round, it is unpleasant for walking. I've told myself that I'm committed to doing it anyway but, so far, this has not been a problem. I have enjoyed a mild start which turned into a glorious sunny day. In all honesty, this walk was a bit long but Henfield was calling for a lunch stop and I couldn't refuse.

The main feature of this walk was crossing the fearsome A23 to explore to the west of Burgess Hill. There are relatively few places to get over this beast and I wanted to thoroughly check out my options, for myself and maybe your benefit. No doubt the road does a good job. I'm not a driver myself but it looks well used, you can tell me different. However, I imagine there was some opposition when it was built and the way the footpaths are sliced and severed, just increases the feeling of oblivious cruelty. So many old farms, old hedges, scorned by progress and jarringly close to the thunderous growl and interminable fumy stink.

Interested? The walk can begin at Burgess Hill station or, for proximity, that London Road stop. Onto and west on the Green Circle you cross the field that heads towards Malthouse Barn. Heading south, you enter a field with a pond and a bench. Take the stile on the right labelled Scotches Farm, skirt the field and go southwest through a field often supplied with horses. You're going to join Herrings Stream, what appears to be a tributary of the Adur that, if followed east, would take you to Hammond Mill Farm. Westward, you emerge through some trees, past fields used by Hurst College at Ruckford Mill and some lovely old mill-related buildings.

Cross Malthouse Lane, go north and enter the damp wood on the left. As you can imagine, none of this section is going to be entirely dry under foot. You exit the wood and meet Danworth Farm, cross  Danworth Lane and north towards the river and cross Cuckfield Road. You'll meet footbridges in sight of Newhouse Farm. Once you're over the water, go south through the sheep fields and west through the woods. Continue through Knowles Tooth to exit onto the Langton Lane at Coombe Cottage. Go south and take the first road on the right. I felt some irrational trepidation as I approached the road. Much further north, I'd attempted a crossing at one of the few places when access directly to the A23 is possible. Never again, and yet those footpaths still exist. Many leading abruptly to a hedge or staring forlornly at their counterpart across the breach. The groan of traffic grew ever louder.

A diminutive track takes you over the bridge to Coombe Farm. Before the wood, head south then west to meet the B2118. Going south and over the road, a southwesterly route crosses the paddocks through Potter's Field and south to Albourne Green. Take the road to Albourne Primary School. A fenced in path alongside the school drive continues to Church Lane. Go west then south as views open up towards the Downs and Culter's Brook. Follow this west over a couple of footbridges unil you reach The Rectory and St. Bartholemew Church. The path takes you through the churchyard, straight over and west to Albourne Place and round some fish ponds. Disappointing views of the house. At the north end, continue west onto Truslers Hill Lane, south then west through the stables. There were many gates but no sightings of the gorgeous dogs the sign warned me about.

On reaching Blackstone, I followed the main street hoping for a shop. Not a sign but some quaint weather-boarded and timber-framed houses. Following on south, westwards is a sunken lane. You follow the route of this all the way to Bilsborough Barn. Views reach northward of the hedge, across the horses. At this juncture, I had envisaged looping southward and you're welcome to do this near Swain's Farm but I was hungry and I'd left a bit later than I'd hoped. Lunchtime in Henfield was enticing, especially as none of the settlements had been forthcoming in the snack department, thus far. You can reach the high street by just continuing on. Had lunch at Relish. I'd just missed the breakfast offering but I also beat the rush. Food was delicious and I was not disappointed. 

A bit further south, follow the signs back eastward to Henfield Common. I could have dithered longer in the afternoon heat but pressing onward to the northeastern corner of the common and Swains farm, continue west then south by the edge of the field through Woodmancote. Cross Blackstone Lane and continue in this direction to Honeybourne Farm, Oatfield Cottage and Wick Farm House. The road will take you to the junction with the Albourne Estate where you'll be welcomed to this attractive vineyard with signs inviting you to the tasting rooms. Sadly, while I was greeted by a spaniel and views over the vines towards Wolstonbury, no wine came my way but for the smell of the crushed grapes.

Continuing north of the golf course, go north, through the orchard and back towards Culter's Brook but, this time, eastwards back to the B2118. Cross the road and head north all the way to Albourne Road.

I confess that I originally attempted to cross the A23 via the road just south on the B2118. No doubt, this was once an option but there is an access controlled gate on this so that's a no. There might be a nicer route back up to the Albourne Road junction, if you do some planning.

Once over the bridge, take the footpath north which brings you closer again to the traffic. Go down the sad steps that run parallel to the miserable roadside hedge as far as the route you originally came over. From here, you can loop exactly back to the start or, as I did, follow the alternate path after the woods that take you towards Chalkers Lane and Hurst College. If you are in need of refreshment, Pitfield Barn is on the left on Thursdays and Fridays for excellent cake and the company of Hurst College mums. It felt like this route could've been quicker. I arrived just as the kids were all rugger and hockey sticks on the playing fields and after the College, you follow the path over the road alongside until crossing diagonally towards the Green Circle. I was pushed for time and the bell rang for 3pm meaning I probably wouldn't beat my own children home.