Good Intentions
This is a random one. It was supposed to be 'Uckfield to Lewes' but a missed bus forced my hand, or should I say feet. I very much underestimated the walk to Uckfield and it seems my light planning contributed to my unshifting judgement as to how far I might get. As the car headlamps began to light, towards the end of my journey, I still had thoughts I might make it down the Ouse to Lewes. It was not to be. Still, the rather soggy journey worked my ankles and filled in some walking gaps. Take from the following what you will.
This is a walk of campsites, the company of rivers and marshy meadows, imagining the woodland later in the season, in more verdant form. To be clear, my fixation with Uckfield, even after a change of plan, might have prevented a perfectly reasonable walk down through Balcombe and maybe even the South Downs back to Burgess Hill. I regret nothing.
The double bus journey from Burgess Hill to the Princess Royal Hospital and then to Uckfield is a fickle travelling partner. On this occasion, I watched my connection drive off as I alighted. A minor delay on the 271 and an early arrival of the 31 left me with an hour to wait. I was not going to be doing that. Return was on the Regency 29a from Kiln Lane, near Isfield and then a train via Brighton, from Lewes.
From the hospital, head east on the B2272, over the first roundabout and on to the A272 at the second. Find the footpath on the right side, a little way down this. This will take you through the trees and into the stately grounds of Abbot's Leigh. You will exit onto Slugwash Lane. The name is, apparently, derived from the word 'slough', rhyming with cow or blue meaning swamp. To slough, has the meaning of 'plodding through mud' or, I guess 'slog'. Naturally, I have spent far too long looking at derivations and find that it also describes condition of degradation, despair, or helplessness or in middle english is a 'muddy place'. All the above, bar the despair, provide a fitting characterisation of the walk, thenceforth. The lane itself is the least muddy part.
Turn left and then right onto the footpath. Keep going east, over a footbridge and on to the West Sussex Border Path. Go north, cross Paul's Lane, the wooded area and join the junction with Ham Lane. Slowly ascend Ham Lane and remember to look back to enjoy the view (if there is one). The hour I missed on the onward bus, was replaced by some persistent light to moderate rain but as I topped out, it lifted a little. I enjoyed a couple of satsumas as I passed the farm. Some very good terriers guarded me from the inside of their parked van.
You are at Scaynes Hill. Go over the road and continue on the path until you come out at the front of The Farmers, once called The Anchor. The pond here would have been spring fed but road widening meant it had largely dried up. It has been restored by residents. Once a dew pond, it would have served the animals making their way up Anchor Hill but also the steam vehicles. The pond now serves the great crested newts as the pub waters its customers.
Cross the road and take Clearwater Lane to Hammond's Farm. Stick to the Border Path and pass Butterbox Farm. Bear left up the hill and cross Butterbox Lane. Turn right and left to Kitts campsite. Cross the site and enter Wapsbourne Woods as you go right. You are now on the Sussex Ouse Valley Way and also the Greenwich Meridian Trail. Once you reach the ancient farm you are at Wowo campsite. Their website provides a great history of what is left of this impressive building. I disoriented myself taking photos of a chicken and wandered out via the driveway, rather than the footpath.
Back on track, go left on the A275, just shy of the Sheffield Park Station. The steam trains were making their presence known as it was half term. Follow the Ouse Valley Way through the hedge, on the west bank of the Ouse. This is The Ouse Meadow Campsite. Continue to The National Trust land and the unmarked bridge to the Sheffield Park property. You could have a wander here and visit the cafe.
You'll meet Mill Lane after Rotherfield Wood. Turn right and then left onto Newick Hill. This joins the High Street in Newick. There are no fewer than three pubs here but I had breakfast at The Pantry, just beyond the green on Church Road. On the left, you'll see St Mary's. Go this way and carry on east. The Ouse drops below you on your left, at Sharp's Hanger. Continue over Sharpsbridge Lane towards Darvel Wood. Bear right to Buckham Hill. I lost the path again but exited onto the road but turned left.
Join the footpath opposite and turn left at the junction after the pond. When you reach the Uckfield Bypass. This was newly resurfaced and the muddy verges made my shoes heavy. I suggest you turn right at the roundabout where you can join the cycle/footpath. I, however, climbed the bank, just after the junction and climbed over the redundant stile, squeezed around some houses and left this part of West Park Nature Reserve on to Princess Close. This reserve stretches all the way to Lake Wood. This is worth a visit but not on this walk.
Join the railway going east from the High Street. Go through the Waitrose car park and you enter Hempstead Meadows Nature Reserve. Here you can see where the Uck goes under the track, at the station. follow the route that stays between the houses an the track. Vault the gate back on to the Wealdway on Hempstead Lane. You are at the mill. Go over the bridge, to the right and leave the Uck to head towards Hempstead Stud. Follow the railway and cross it on the steep stairs. When you join the road, turn left before leaving on the footpath on the right.
Leave the Wealdway and go south, picking your way through the marshy field. You'll come out on Sandy Lane, where the sandstone is exposed. Go east a little and then south. On The Street, turn right and then turn left when you see the church. Had a nice chat with the guy mowing the graveyard and generally looking after the place. Follow the path to the left of the porch and then zig-zag back through a kissing gate. A fairly direct southward line takes you through the farms.
Bear left at the road and then continue south at Palehouse Farm to go through High Cross. Over to the right, I was not aware of Hamilton Palace. This fancy and unfinished, domed building is the work of the notorious van Hoogstraten. The grounds were once the home of a former building and landscaped grounds, known as Dyerhaven and later High Cross House. It was destroyed in a fire and you'll find the footpath runs through marshy wet grassland. Towards the end of the path, I climbed the mound of earth next to what will be the giant Little Horsted Substation.
Go east on the A22 a little and then escape south on the footpath which, at times, was more like a ditch. I missed the path through the solar farm but encircled it and rejoined the westward-bound path. More reminders of energy consumption. More marshy fields.
Cross Harvey's Lane to enter the grounds of the East National Golf Club and Golf Course. The footpath is quite well directed. In my experience, apart from their normally depressing grassy sterility, paths through golf courses tend to be poorly directed, allowing you to excessively tread on the greens or totter about in the rough. I just want to get through it without being targetted on the range or ending up in a bunker. As per usual, the footpath sign was also adorned with a confusing extra finger to denote private areas and, as you approach the club house, you are directed off the path to give the commoners some distance from the this and the hotel. You will come to an open area with attractive metal gates near a school. Go south through the remaining part and over Bradford's Lane. Past the farm and into Plashett Park, follow the path west amongst the trees and badger setts. This was once a medieval deer park.
Last but not least, cross the A26 and a little south continue west past Brook Lodge Farm. Stay in line with the Iron River. Exit on to the Isfield Road. You can catch a bus a little further north or south, before the junction with Kiln Lane and near the Boathouse Farm Campsite.
My time was up but my timing good. Arriving in Lewes in style on the Regency bus, I ran for the train.
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