Trees and Water

BURGESS HILL STATION, BEDELANDS NATURE RESERVE, CUCKFIELD, GODDARDS GREEN, BATCHELORS FARM LOOP

Watched the tiny children being taken to school, this morning. Actually felt quite chilly without a coat but within half an hour, the cloud began to lift. The last few days have been windy and rainy but today turned out to be glorious. The trickling streams and the early Autumn grandeur of the trees were appreciated all the better for it being ever so slightly wet under foot.

You could do this walk from that London Road bus stop again, Church Road, Burgess Hill or even Wivelsfield station.

From near opposite Burgess Hill station, Take Mill Road north until you reach St Wildfred's Road and Close. At the end, head north via the newish foot and cycle path to cross Leylands Road opposite Wivelsfield Station. Carry on next to the railway line and continue through the caravan site to Bedelands Nature Reserve. This is a lovely place to walk at any time of the year and there are numerous paths in addition to the official byways. I do have some reservations though as, for some reason, I have found it quite easy to get disorientated and, on one occasion, ended up a bit too close to Freaks Farm for everyone's comfort.

When you reach the lake, take the footpath about midway on the western side of it, as it descends on the north side of the outflow. The water was in spate due to the rain and the woods were full of the sound of this and long-tailed tits. Continue westwards on the footpath until you reach the road.

Go North on Isaac's Lane and take Hook House Lane on the left side of the road. After the farm, you follow the path all the way to Pains Flat on an avenue of oaks and take the road to the evocatively named Moonhill Farm. After the last house on the path, head up the hill. The sun was strong enough to lift the vapour from the fields at this point. The feel of the landscape had shifted from the fields of sweetcorn to pasture.

At the Old Furnace, you have a few footpath options. I opted to head towards Copyhold lane as I have memories of the more direct route being a bit muddy and treacherous. 

Views of the Holy Trinity Cuckfield Church are visible briefly. Taking the path behind Lodge Farm, you follow the A272 West briefly before crossing it and passing Court House Farm. Head towards the cemetery, around the church up Church Street and on to South Street. Immediately you have a choice of cafés. I opted for the Tea Rooms for refreshment as Tom's Food was a bit busy before heading west and joing the High Weald Landscape Trail, a section of the Sussex Diamond Way, through Cuckfield Park and past Highweald Wine Estate. At this stage, you can switch your navigation off and enjoy that landscape by following the waymarkers all the way to Ragget Wood and Pickwell Lane. In truth, this was my favourite bit. There are some splendid vantage points.

From here you are following a road all the way over Bolney Road to the Green Circle. This is good news if it's been muddy under foot. You might feel this is a bit boring but actually, there are some nice views towards the South Downs and I only met two cars en route to The Sportsman. Taking Gatehouse Lane to the Green Circle, you have the option of ducking into town or continuing around to Batchelors Farm and up the railway line. I popped to Tescos on my way home.