Cultural Classic
Keeping it local and moderate on this occasion. A very slight variation on a classic Burgess Hill loop that is an exercise in just missing some of the obvious features. A walk for those who've maybe been here before a few hundred times. I had intended to get to Wivelsfield Green but a sudden downburst stopped play and I had to take cover at the industrial estate greasy spoon.
Without any particular burning destination, I might consider the walk a little tame but somehow, the ease of the journey and rise and fall of the terrain is enough. The relaxing familiarity of the landmarks, the water tower and the railway and the steering behind Ditchling for the ridge of the South Downs is a triumph. The height is brief, as a descent is necessary in order to walk through Plumpton Agricultural College, cross the line and enter the excellent Blackbrook Wood on the edge of Ditchling Common. This is capped off with a beautifully direct route from Westwood back into town. Some rain in the last few days had freshened things just enough to provide a verdant route without too much mud.
You could do this walk from the London Road bus stop, as shown, or from the eastern side of Burgess Hill Station. Likewise, you have the option of heading straight back into town, on your return. I remember now the convenience of returning home in good time and the ease of knowing my route sufficiently well meant that 15 miles didn't really feel like it.
From London Road, head over the roundabout and go west into Nightingale Meadows. You can cross whichever way you wish but, on the railway bridge, you must wave at the first train you encounter. Take note of the drivers reaction. Will it be a whistle, a honk, a wave only? Ascend the hill over the footbridge to the water tower in what is Batchelors Farm Nature Reserve. At the western corner, go through the gate, down the drive and turn right on Ockley Lane for some time. Walk carefully until you spot the bridleway on the left. After the donkeys and the workshops, the tree-lined path continues until you almost reach the windmill. Today, I left the path on the left into the meadow past Court Gardens Farm. Go with the edge of the field until you can leave on to Orchard and then Common Lane.
Go south towards the centre of Ditchling but go left on Dumbrells Court Road. It's almost like we're avoiding things at this stage but the footpath will take you behind the houses until you can go further east, cross some fields and enter the trees by the water on the edge of Stoneywish Nature Reserve. Some observant geese honked my arrival. Go south now until you exit on to Farm Lane. You will see a yellow gate on your left. Once through, go right by the tennis court and cross the recreation ground. Over Lewes Road and on an unlikely narrow footpath, almost opposite, takes you in the same direction. Hold true the line and you pass through the houses an enter and exit the woods near Westmeston and Westmeston Place. Be careful not to confuse the stile into the back garden but continue until you exit onto Lewes Road again. John Michelborne lived here, the Michelbornes being prominent landowners. His son Edward lived at Hammonds Place in Burgess Hill and was known for plundering the South Seas under James I. Basically, a pirate with potential buried treasure in his Burgess Hill garden.
Going left and right on to the footpath takes you round the back of an old barn and into the fields of the Old Rectory. This more southern path will join with the bridleway that goes south to Old Middleton. Follow this and go directly over the Lewes Road. The route up to the Downs is the Middleton Track to Streat Hill and the South Downs Way. The easterly gradient is satisfying enough to show you where you have been as you gain height. Spot the water tower to orientate yourself. Again, we've missed the main event, Ditchling Beacon being to the west of you but enjoy this hill at around 220 metres. Coffee and toasties are sometimes on sale at Streat Farm. All too quickly I descended. It was breezy and the grey clouds were hurrying from the southwest. Over to your right are some earthworks, the remains of an enclosure. Beyond, is the sea and in front you might observe the Amex Stadium near The University of Sussex.
From one institution of learning to another, as you lower yourself down Plumpton Bostall to Plumpton Agricultural College. At the bottom is the Half Moon Pub. Walk a little to the the left of this and on to the footpath across the meadow. Plumpton Place was once owned by Jimmy Page and hides behind the hedge. You'll find yourself walking up the drive to the College. The footpath takes you in front of the main building and then by some paddocks. You might see some wallabies. The church is only open on Wednesdays. From the outside, it is a hotch potch of architectural additions. Its nave is very old, from the 11th and 12th century and there are some wall-paintings on the inside. I learnt a couple of things from the internet. This kind of spire is called a 'broach' and paintings of the last judgement are called 'dooms'. Sadly, I could only see the former. hemmed in forlornly amongst the college buildings, this is actually where old Plumpton was centred.
Behind the church, the footpath goes directly north and through a hedge. Navigate a rather churned up field with ponds and horses. You'll be directed roughly northwards. Once on the main farm track, you'll find it quite a long stretch to modern Plumpton. Swing your head round to the Downs to see the Plumpton V, 3060 trees planted for Queen Victoria's 1897 Golden Jubilee. Some footbridges take you over an old mill stream and on towards Ashurst Lane. We are on the edge of Plumpton race course but we're ignoring it. Go east on the line of the Roman road and then switch back to the left and Jenner's Farm. Work your way through the horse paddocks and over the level-crossing. Wiggle a little to the right to continue on the footpath. You will cross the Bevern Stream, a tributory of the Ouse, before reaching Riddens Lane. Go west and leave the road for the footpath across some cow fields. The bridleway at the end goes north past Shergold's Farm. Bearing gently left on the footpath and staying with this line, will take you over a byway, Streat Lane, another bridleway and through to The Plantation.
It was here that the heavens opened in earnest. Blackbrook Wood is the natural progression and provided some shelter. The bluebells are strong in the Spring. I waited for it to abate but now lunch and potential shelter beckoned. Hoggs Cafe is purposeful industrial estate fodder and not quite what I was after but a push to Wivelsfield Green meant getting wetter...
Exit onto the Lewes Road and if you're popping onto the industrial estate, walk a little way up Folders Lane to the west. You can then follow the footpath through the trees. Return to the junction on Middleton Common Lane and cross over to Dobrells Lane. This is the Sussex Border Path. Stay on this as it passes along the edge of West Wood. The bulk of Ditchling Common Country Park is actually the west of you and the nursing homes. Now not going to Wivelsfield, leave the Border Path after Purchase Wood, on your left.
This path walks you on the edge of the trees bordering the Ditchling Road until you are in sight of St Georges. Cross the road and walk up the drive of Bankside Farm. On the left you will see a permissive path through the common that crosses Janes Lane and the track to Sunnybrook. I stopped at a bench in a more open area. I was nearly home and the sun was steaming my damp trousers.
Cross this open bit of the Country Park and make your way to the pond near Hope Farm. You can exit here onto the bridleway going north. Bear left to Kingsway and what follows is a fairly straight route into Burgess Hill. Over the level crossing is One O'Clock Lane. You could, of course, bear right and take a more direct route into town. I went left and over the stream that feeds Wintons Fisheries, to the Birchwood Grove School. Birchwood Grove Lane goes to the roundabout on Folders Lane. Go south on Keymer Road and cross it to take the bridleway to the railway.
Heading north will bring you out at the station or south, the railway bridge. I waved and received an obliging honk. We're back on the Sunset Lane by the Pond. You can make your own way now on the sunset of this walk.
I got home at quarter past two but called out for my family, thinking they might be home. Of course, they were not as I'd arrived back at a reasonable time.
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