Having your cake
Silly really because, even though the temperatures have dipped a bit, today was slightly grey and milder and those lower paths are still oppressively wet. Swapping the slop for the relative chalk and flint on the southern slopes of The Downs was nice. I got some good dog strokes in too.
This route could be attempted in both directions but it would be a little odd to end up in Burgess Hill if it was not your home - let's face it - it's hardly a destination. Falmer Station provides access. Ditchling Beacon is a figurative and physical high point and much more exploring can be done in Stanmer Park, if you want to extend your walk.
Set out from Burgess Hill Station and head south on the east side of the tracks until you reach the railway bridge. No waving today. Head east through Batchelors Farm Nature Reserve to the path to the south of the water tower. Exiting onto Ockley Lane, cross and go south until you can take the footpath east which continues to Oldland Windmill. Pop over Lodge hill onto Boddingtons Lane and meet the High Street going south. We stopped at the Green Welly at the junction for tea, cake and dog strokes.
Going east after refreshment on Lewes Road, take The Fieldway, a gravelly track between the quaint houses of old Ditchling. Cross over East End Lane and take Farm Lane past the tennis courts and go south. Keep to the western side of the cricket pavillion and cross back over Lewes Road. You'll squeeze between more homes and cross Shirleys. Continue in the same direction and bear right to continue on this rather straight path to Westmeston. A sign post in the wood is a bit confusing but as long as you carry on in a line, you'll be going good. There were some frisky ponies when I exited the wood at Westmeston Place. When you cross the second field, don't exit at the stile into the back garden but head for the corner of the field. Continue until you hug the side of Lewes Road going south. Cross the road and take path into the churchyard of St Martins. You can leave by the Lychgate and cross the junction to go up The Street. This is Westmeston Bostall. Zigzag up the bridleway.
At this point, I dithered. Stanmer had been an afterthought and I'd not fully plotted it out in my head. There are numerous routes over in that direction, some more rolling than others. There is added humour in that many of the hills are accompanied by 'Bottoms', including a 'Big' one. For completeness, I decided to head east for the Beacon anyway because, if you'd not been there last Friday, you'd definitely not want to miss out on this triangulated point on the South Downs of 248 metres.
Take a moment before following the path nearest the trig, that weaves back east then south quite close and parallel to Ditchling Road. A sign post will push you back west until you reach the track going downhill. Follow this then swing onto the side of the hill above North Bottom until you meet the road. Cross this and onto the bridleway going east into Highpark Wood. There are many paths to explore but I continued in the wood past the farm until I reached the pylon. Ignore the path to Millbank Wood and go south southwest downhill on the flinty path to Stanmer Village.
There is a strangeness to this village in that it is all very well signposted. The church, the pond, museum and Stanmer Tea rooms are all indicated. I followed the main road round to One Garden which is managed by Plumpton College. I ate at One Kitchen while I booked my Year 10's parents evening appointments.
From the exit I turned right and followed the signposted path before heading uphill to meet the bridleway going southwest in Great Wood. If you'd rather, you can just head out of the village on the path in front of Stanmer House. You exit the wood onto this same path. Cross the Stony Mere Way and ignore the footpath opposite but head diagonally down towards the front of the University on University Way. Take the underpass under the A27 and take a return train from Falmer Station.
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