Spa Day or New Shoes II

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS TO ERIDGE STATION VIA HIGH ROCKS, HARGATE FOREST, FRANT, ERIDGE PARK, ERIDGE ROCKS, BROADWATER WARREN AND GROOMBRIDGE

A mirky day with accompanying wet woodland fragrances and some steam but not the day of pampering you might imagine. A taste of the spa waters and a railway age that is probably best enjoyed on a long Summer's day. A delayed train and a lengthy diversion denied me a route into East Grinstead but, instead, gave me a frog-march to Eridge to be home in daylight. It was also slightly shorter as my new shoes hugged my feet very tightly, to the level of throbbing. It was very muddy.

Tunbridge Wells is over an hour-and-a-half to reach by train from Burgess Hill. I went via Gatwick, Redhill and Tonbridge. I could equally have marched from Groombridge to Ashurst rather than Eridge but I am not familiar with this railway. It takes you via East Croydon back to Burgess Hill.

From Tunbridge Wells Station, head south to join Vale Road. Join London Road at the junction and climb the hill onto the Common. There was a special misty witchiness to the tree covered high point. This exploration was severely lacking because, all too soon, you descend the Common south and join the Eridge Road. Under the railway bridge, go immediately right to follow the Spa Valley Railway. This is part of the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk. After you enter Friezland Wood, boulders jump out of the trees on your left. This is the sandstone of High Rocks. Once you're on the road, There is a pub of the same name and the official entrance to the attraction. You can walk over bridges that connect the rocks, climb and explore the area which has a history of human activity from neolithic times. The station here was opened in 1998. Opposite the signposted westward footpath and at the private car park, enter it and follow the left side to the far end. It was not yet 10, when the site opens and a white cat and a bunch of deer were enjoying the emptiness. This path is not obvious but it is well-walked.

Follow the footpath on the edge of Ramslye Wood. There are some fine trees here before you emerge and join the track to the Eridge Road. Over the crossing, enter Hargate Forest on Broadgate Down. The information board says to 'scramble through the heather to Nod Hill'. This might have redeemed my visit because I missed this and the entrances to the WWI underground complex known as the Wilderness. This made the diversion here fall a bit flat. Maybe take time to explore. I wandered generally southwards to exit in the southeast corner onto Bunny Lane. More deer sloped off, on the path far ahead. This is an unofficical path behind a lonely bench.

What follows is an awkward roady walk to rejoin the circular path at Frant. At the junction, cross Frant Road and take the welcome pavement south. Ignore the first footpath and rejoin what is also the High Weald Landscape Trail, on the right. Eridge Park is an old Deer Park and there were some deer. The Park is disappointingly and largely unexplorable, save for the path mentioned and a permissive one, on the southern edge or at a festival. The muddy track was all the more annoying for this. After the lake, follow the path round and south. It will lead you round and back north towards the Eridge Road again and Eridge Green. Here I stopped at the Nevill Crest and Gun which was massively busy with Christmas cheer, even though it had just opened. The Nevills, the Earls of Abergavenny built their residence in Eridge and owned the estate where the pub lies. in 1873 they owned around 15000 acres in Sussex alone. Their arms are on many of the buildings.

There is notable bus stop on Warren Farm Lane, which encloses a water fountain. Take this road and you will arrive at Eridge Rocks Nature Reserve. Follow the line of sandstone north and take any paths you wish in Broadwater Warren. The Reserve here is managed by the RSPB. At the Northern edge is a car park but I discovered the forest beyond is privately owned, so I backtracked westward to meet with the southern Broadwater Forest Lane. A little road walk brings you to Birchden Farm, where I went north. Once through the wood and at South Farm, go west, through the shiny metal gate and walk under the railway. A steam train was operating as I crossed a very wet field.

An even wetter path followed. Follow the route as it curves west and alongside Groombridge. My feet were submerged but still remained dry. Unfortunately, I tore my down coat on the barbed wire fence.  Take a shortcut to the Jubilee playground and scout hut.

Take the Spring Field Road opposite and Corseley Road south. Once on the line with the old railway route, I saw that the Christmas lights were twinkling more brightly. It had been difficult to see brightness on this dull day but I realised the sum of my wanderings had resulted in decision time for onward travel. The cycle route 21 hinted that Eridge was available in 2 miles and I plumped for it. A lonely road to the station brought me there. Steam and Southern trains can be caught on this duplicitous line.

Once home, I saw the log burner was in action and dinner was served. No reason for me to venture out again.