Secrets and Lies

BURGESS HILL LOOP VIA DITCHLING COMMON, SOUTH CHAILEY, A DISMANTLED RAILWAY LINE, KNOWLANDS WOOD, EAST CHILTINGTON PLUMPTON, STREAT AND DITCHLING

This route was suggested to me by naturalist Michael Blencowe. More than suggested, a plan was comprehensively drawn up where I was promised a tea and I was expected. I couldn't refuse. The way takes in some routes made before but with special permission and encouragement granted to explore The Secret Campsite and Knowlands Wood. I also benefitted from finding out that the dismantled railway is acccessible and well-walked between these locations. It felt good to set out early from home but it was hot just putting on my socks and it was overcast. Not a great day for butterflies, as promised, or so I thought. Michael also said that I would make 'not much change from 16 miles'...

This is a walk for the purists; A true, classic Burgess Hill loop. It tops 20 miles but its punch is packed by woods, common and farmland, rather than elevation. Views become more expansive towards the end. At the same time, the final leg is straight, like the Roman line it follows.

You can begin from Burgess Hill Station and descend Chanctonbury Road or walk from the London Road bus stop to south of the roundabout and go east towards Batchelors Farm Nature Reserve. Don't forget to wave at the trains  before crossing the line and going immediately north. We'll be coming back over Batchelor's on our return. Go east at the first opportunity and cross Oak Hall Park and Keymer Road to join Birchwood Grove Road. At the end, I made a small diversion along Wykeham Way as the pavement was having some work done. At the end, cross the stream and bear left towards One O' Clock Lane. Cross the trailway track and join the Kingsway. Over the road, take the path northeast past the old Keymer Tile Works (now a housing estate). Go right at the the junction.

After the farm, you'll enter Ditchling Common Country Park. You could dive left from the road to see the pond and common before crossing the B2112. Continue on the path to St Mary's House. If you're brave, you can enter. I was too scared, as it is marked private at both sides of the complex. It turns out, I had to be even braver as I went south, east then north on the footpath, through a field with mother cows and the biggest bull hugging the stile. Turns out, he was super chilled.

Cross the field north, until you hit the drive for St Mary's House again. Ignore the OS map and just go east at this junction. Cross the Sussex Border Path in the trees by going a little south, then east. Head in a southeast direction and exit the woods to go south and then east. Cross Hundred Acre Lane and join the footpath to North America Farm. You cross a garden before entering large fields. Go north to meet South Road and go south on the road with care until you meet the footpath on the left.

At Beresford Lane, go north. I tried to take the path to Bower Farm but although I was welcomed heartily, I was unable to find the path that did not end in an electric fence and a bunch of feisty bullocks.

Take the path that follows the edge of the field east. This crosses Popjoy Wood. At the junction, go southeast to The Hooke and Southam. Go all the way to the T junction and then east onto Mill Lane. This is part of the Chailey Link Walk. You'll hit the A275. Go north and enter the brickworks on Caveridge Lane. Observe the impressive warehouses full of expertly stacked bricks. Follow the bridleway across Markstakes Common and join Balneath Lane. Go south and you'll find The Secret Campsite.

Here I awkwardly had a nice brew and had a bit of an explore. It all looks rather idyllic and I think I'll be back for a longer stay. It is possible to cross the bridge over the old railway, round the meadow and then ascend it from the east. The dismantled railway can be followed to Knowlands Wood.

Here, I tried to spend a bit of time actually enjoying the woods. You are free to wander (quietly and without dogs) on the many paths. The woods are really rather special and, at this time, full over butterflies and birds. I was forever, largely unsuccessfully, trying to photograph things.

Back on the railway, continue south and cross the Bevern Stream. Here I was surprised by the number of damselfies and dragonflies. No luck in capturing any decent photographs. Just enjoy. The path was mostly maintained but as a permitted rather than actual footpath, I imagine it can get a bit overgrown.

Exit southwest after Sewell's Farm. Take Cooksbridge road carefully west and, back on Town Littleworth Road, go south until the bridleway on the right takes you west on the edge of Folly Wood. There is a marker for the Greenwich Meridian line here. At Resting Oak Hill, go south then west, crossing Wickham Lane. The path takes you round the field to exit onto Chiltington Lane, going west. You get your first good views of the South Downs and the Victory Plantation tells you, you're nearing Plumpton.

Over the railway bridge of the working line, continue until a footpath takes you west around Spooner's Farm. Whitehouse Farm Stands proudly beyond. Continue to Wootton Farm and let your brain relax. You'll be heading west just south of the line of a Roman Road. Over Novington Lane, You see the church at East Chiltington. There is a 1000 year old yew, stuffed with concrete here.

When you're ready, continue on the north side of the church on the bridleway. Beyond, you'll actually move north to follow the Roman line briefly. Over Plumpton Lane, is the Plumpton racecourse and Ashurst Lane. Beyond is Streat and Streat Forge. Go south a little around Streat Church and westwards to Streat Lane. South and west around Hayleigh Farm.

You'll wish for a bike along the bridleway road beyond. Eventually cross Spatham Lane and you'll be in the East End of Ditchling. Confidently continue west on Farm Lane and over East End Lane. Yes, continue on the Fieldway and the shingly path to meet Lewes Road and the bustling roundabout at the centre of Ditchling.

Too late for the Green Welly, I ate at a late lunch at The Bull before going west at the roundabout and going up the church steps. Descend the steps onto the Village Green and past the Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft. I would have stopped but, I'll save this for another time. Go north on Lodge Hill Lane and continue past Oldland Windmill.

Once you're on Ockley Lane, take care going north and cross to take the path west just after Wellhouse Lane. At the end and the water tower, cross Bachelors to rejoin where you started.

Once again my feet were sore from the early wet grass soaking my shoes. Really must do something about this.