Common as Muck
Glorious sunshine sandwiched between days of rain means this was a walk that swung between squelching mud and impromptu pond paddling. I'd love to do this again on a frosty day. As it was, I was undeterred because Chailey Common is delightful. In truth, you'll take in several Commons: Pound, Romany Ridge, Red House, Memorial, Chailey and Ditchling.
Chailey Common and its surroundings have a rich history from at least the time of the Domesday book, in agriculture, industry and war time manoeuvres. This time of year, the trees are showing all their colour and throughout the seasons, there is plenty of flora, wildlife and livestock to spot. Additionally, if you're not already inspired, there is a sometime open museum and windmill. The yew tree next to it is supposed to mark the centre of Sussex. By coincidence, others argue that the centre is actually back on the Hammonds Ridge roundabout in our beloved Burgess Hill. So there you go.
I've shown the two entry points for this walk on the map, namely the London Road bus stop or the station. Either way, make your way towards the railway bridge. My timing was excellent and I got a literal wave and a full honk to herald the start of the walk. Mid way on the east side of the track, follow the path eastward towards Keymer Road. Turn left and take Birchwood Grove Road at the roundabout. Continue past the school and bear left after the playground and stream. Over the level crossing towards Kingsway and continue on the other side.
At the T junction, turn left and observe the boxy houses on your left. You'll cross a muddy field when you reach the scandi-pastel-shaded houses going north to Janes Lane. Crossing it towards Ote Hall, you'll pass Ote Hall Farm and Cottages with the 70s inspired house name sign. You'll see the finger post just to the right of the Hall's driveway. Take the most northern of the eastern routes and keep going northeast and pass St Peter and St John Church. Exit onto and cross the B2112. Trust your instincts and continue east the left of the drinking trough. You'll see the footpath and stile soon enough which takes you to Slugwash Lane. I entered this field at the same time as another walker. We both hesitated as we figured out the way to cross. The water to the south is not visible on the OS maps and the boundary on the map is not on the ground. I was bold and looked like I knew what I was doing. Directly opposite, enter the sheep field and carry on east. Saw a lovely mix of breeds in this field. You'll be funnelled between fences for some distance.
At Strood Farm you'll see some pygmy goats. I recognised this junction and the goats from this other walk. Follow the west side of Roseland Wood. I met a Spaniel at Wivelsden Farm that was walking itself. I was escorted to the corner of Newhouse Wood. Follow the path on its west side and go roughly north to the south side of the buildings. Follow the path on the ground going east and you'll see the impressive ha-ha, (look it up), in front of Chailey Iris Garden & Nursery. Join the road at the end.
I took the footpath going north, which borders the woods and meets the A272 further up, before I'd figured out my route properly but you could just as well continue on the road into Romany Ridge Common. I headed south on the road and rejoined the common on its north side. This is common so there are paths all over. My route was based on taking in as much common as I could so I did a rough clockwise circle. The GPS was very helpful in both plotting my route and keeping me heading in the right direction. Do as you wish. Pause at the high point on Red House Common, take in the Windmill, the spire of St Martin's Chapel at Chailey Heritage...
I exited by crossing Beggar's Wood Road back onto Pound Common and south on the western edge of Bineham Wood. Turn left at the T, then right and right again, all the time heading south. I hesitated at the crossroads and chose to carry on south, then west to the corner of Popjoy Wood and Lumberpits. On the road I headed south.
Lunch drew me to the unfeasibly cosy Plough at Plumpton where I had chilli and chips and petted (but didn't feed) the dog.
Leaving The Plough, go west onto St Helena Lane and take the footpath on the right through Challoners. Follow the path on the ground that goes to the right of all the buildings before following the edge of the field west and on for some time. Cross Hundred Acre Lane and at the T go south then west behind Middleton Common Butterfly Gardens. Go north and join the Sussex border path, for a brief time, at the end of the wood.
Taking the path towards Ditchling Common on the north side of the industrial units is uninspiring but you'll emerge eventually. Go all the way north at will, cross the B2112 and follow the road to Hope Farm. Keep going north until you recognise the junction you came in on. Loop back to the start
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