Dissolution of the Priorities
I did a bad thing and this walk fizzles out in Ringmer, rather than through Malling Down and Lewes as intended. This would have been too much and it certainly was, because I missed a bus by five minutes and a dental appointment for the child. He missed it because, unaccompanied, he forgot money, was late for his train and they cancelled. I felt disappointed, a substandard mother and it rather took the fun out of what is quite a nice route through excellent woods, meadows and sparse settlement, overlooking the Downs to the South. Put aside my regret and this is still a good walk less travelled.
Polegate can be achieved via a train going to Wivelsfield Station, Haywards Heath or Brighton and out. From Polegate station, join the High Street going north and go right at the roundabout. Take School Lane and it joins the Cuckoo Trail or cycle route 21 as it crosses the Polegate Bypass. Immediately after, go left on route 2 which takes you towards Abbot's Woods. At Cophall Farm, the route continues alongside the A22 and then leaves it to the left. Listen as the bird song begins to dominate the drone of the road, as it recedes behind you. I'm not sure how accessible Nate and Gate Wood are but Abbot's Wood is managed by Forestry England and there are numerous trails to explore, a couple are waymarked. Once entered, as signposted, I took a path to the car park, toilets and hireable barbecues and headed north from here. Many a dog a walker was loading and unloading their hounds in this extensive woodland.
I went to check out the pond which is fed by a tributary of the Cuckmere. It is a nice spot overlooking the lillies. Joining the orange dots of the cycle route northwest, the last section after the clearing, that joins the Arlington Road West road is overgrown and not very convenient for walking let alone cycling. I thought the wood beyond with the track marked might also be a good route but I wouldn't recommend this. Better to join the bridleway that takes you over the road to this junction and then join the byway beside the dry ski slopes of Knockhatch Ski & Snow Centre. As the track squeezes between some concrete, go immediately left over the stile. Backtrack to the edge Bramble Grove. The path will enter it after a little while. Shortly the path merges with the Wealdway and crosses the Cuckmere. Go through the horse paddocks. The combination of electric fences and curious horses I found a bit alarming but, on checking at the stables, I was told that the fences are not on. I'm afraid I was not able to comply with the 'Don't touch the horses' signs as they were very friendly and wondered what this lady was doing ducking about in their fields.
It is not obvious from the map but you'll now skirt the edge of a cricket pitch and join Michelham Priory Road. Go south and explore this Augustinian Priory founded in 1229. The watermill has been closed since January. The gardens are lovely and I shared a snack with the knowing mallards.
Back at the cricket pitch, cross it once again and rejoin the Wealdway and join Coldharbour Road south through Upper Dicker. Beyond the junction, you'll reach High Barn which is on the crest of the hill. Take the footpath west and you have views to The Downs. Looking south, you can spot the Wilmington Man on the hillside. The meadows surrounded by mature trees, were resplendent in the sunshine. The path is simple to follow through Pollard's Wood and beyond to the road. This part of the Vanguard Way going north, is a curiously isolated oak-lined stretch of Sheepcote Lane that joins the farms. After Marnhall Farm House continue as the path leaves the road on the left. Limekiln Farm is an attractive building on this route. Cross Chalvington Lane and skirt the wood at Ivy Farm. Beyond Deanland Road you'll walk through The Mohair Nursery. Stumbling through the chatter of children and sleepy goats, you'll reach Lewes Road and cross it. Joining Holmes Hill, continue along it northwards and take the path on the right side. Leave the Vanguard Way in the middle of the field and go left on the edge of Shelf Wood.
You are directed through Whitesmith, over Whitesmith Lane and over the A22 into the woods. The footpath meets the byway which takes you all the way through Vert Woods. I was not making great time and knew I would not be able to achieve Malling Down despite the excellently surfaced track. At the junction, take Common Lane and turn right onto the bridleway. At Bell Farm, go left and follow the byway south. I am running at this point. I disturbed a deer here and later a lapwing flapped into the sky and screeched its own and my lament. Take the first footpath on the right before turning south again. What follows is pleasant little path on a bank that follows the tree line all the way to Laughton Road.
Once here, you can get the bus I missed into Lewes. I walked further into Ringmer and caught the later one at the King's Academy where the students were very polite and let the sweaty lady on her way. Despite my efforts, on reflection, I could have taken Neaves Lane through to Malling Down if I'd had no time constraints. Another day and maybe a shorter route.
Comments
Post a Comment