Parks and Gardens
In the evolution of the thought of this walk, I'd made myself tired trying to figure out the best way to get to High Beeches, a woodland and garden on a busy road near Handcross. Much of the woodland in this area is inaccessible and would take some local knowledge to figure out. While I could get through the Nymans Estate quite easily, another suitable diversion was not forthcoming and looping round to Wakehurst, awkward. It took missing my intended train to figure out that a start in Haywards Heath rather than Balcombe provided a very satisfactory route and I dumped High Beeches for another day. I had to be back home and Handcross is not the best connected.
This was a very hot day of hazy meadows, mature plantlife and bodies of water which are there but not available to drink. I took things slow and indulged in my stops. I was also very glad of the tree cover, particularly in the undulating and trickly-stream-strewn woods of the High Weald. Sandstone shapes and protrudes in some areas. Nymans and Wakehurst are National Trust properties but no membership is required to walk through. Both have rights of way that traverse them and you can make use of the visitor centre at Wakehurst for light refreshments and plant sales. Full disclosure: I am a member and my route was very slightly varied to enjoy a bit more. You can smugly and freely walk on the footpaths that enjoy some of the same attractions.
Haywards Heath is an easy single-stop train ride from Burgess Hill. Buses from Nymans are infrequent and take a while. Some go north and connect with Crawley. The one I returned on was a limited stop 273 going in the correct direction to Hassocks which inexplicably stops everywhere in the metropolis that is Hurstpierpoint. From here I got a train back towards Burgess Hill.
From the station in Haywards Heath, exit on the Boltro Road side. Go north towards Sainsburys and get some snacks, if you need to. Make your way on the path through to Burrell Road and under the track on the Balcombe Road. Turn immediately left with the smell of the timber, on the corner of Wickham Way. Up hill will bring you towards the golf course and at Old Wickham Lane, turn right and then north. This woody hollow can get quite muddy and it gets worse further on. It seems that many people use this area quite freely for dog walking and the path that leads into the adjacent field, after crossing the brook is most useful in avoiding the worst of it. It was all dry, today.
Now on the links, follow the path through to Sugworth Woods, another place well-wandered by locals. The Sussex Ouse Valley Way, Sussex Diamond Way and High Weald landscape Trail all converge as you reach Copyhold Lane. This is also where an Ouse Valley Line had begun to be cut but was never completed, abandoned before it started and Lindfield never got its station. The evidence of the embankments can be seen on the map. Through Flat Wood, you enter a cow field. The young males were all gathered by the gate at River's Farm. I paused and contemplated cutting through somehow when a dog began barking. With their interest roused, the beasts moved away enough for me to get through the gate. Safely on the other side, the boys tussled for head scratches. The farm is a convergence of another sort and marks the point that the Roman Road runs through from Burgess Hill.
Over the bridge and into River's Wood. The foxgloves nodded in the clearings. As you exit into the field a footbridge takes you over the Ouse. The westward path is the Sussex Ouse Valley Way and leads to the viaduct. Instead, climb the edge of the next field after another footbridge and catch glimpses of the viaduct in the distance, More arches are revealed as you climb. Go through the hedge, follow the edge of the next field and exit on to the edge of Ardingly Reservoir.
You arrive at point 1 of the Kingfisher Trail, near the valve tower. The reservoir dates from the 70s and is built on the convergence of the Shell and Ardingly Brook. Go through Fullingmill Wood and walk along the bank for a while. I heard some reed warblers in this area. Take the second footpath leading up and away from the waters edge, towards Townhouse Farm. Give a moment to looking back and seeing the viaduct in the distance over the water. Merge with Church Lane and unsurprisingly, reach the church. It was not open, due to theft. At the junction, go right on Street Lane and then left on Wakehurst Lane.
You are now on the edge of the South of England showground. Go to the eastern exit on the tarmac. At the junction, turn right and then cross to descend Cob Lane. Take a look at what Pickeridge Farm are doing before joining the bridleway on the side of the hill at the rather pleasant Longshaw. As the path rises to the road, take the continuation of the bridleway past Fullingmill Farm. Now it joins with The High Weald Landscape Trail through East Wood. Cob Brook trickles to the right of you on this journey and sandstone outcrops walk with you on the left. Join the Selsfield Road, cross it and turn left on the verge.
You will reach Wakehurst Place. The driveway might not be the front door but it is a footpath. If you are National Trust Member then you can explore this place more but nothing stops you from popping across the car park to the visitors centre and taking a break at the Seeds Cafe. You can sit on the veranda. I did this and arrived on the dot of opening at 10. I then took the path around the house and then on the edge of the property, crossed Coronation Meadow to rejoin the footpath. Incidentally, this meadow has been seeded from Burgess Hill's very own Valebridge Common.
If you choose to stick to the footpath, you will pass the Millennium Seed Bank which is arguably one of the coolest things at Wakehurst. Wakehurst itself, exemplifies the steep sandstone ghylls of the High Weald, you will read about. The path now undulates and descends to the Ardingly Brook which feeds the reservoir. You then walk at the edge of some meadows and ascend to cross the Paddockhurst Lane. Take the track almost opposite and bear left with the footpath, to reach the edge of Balcombe Lake. Now take the footpath nearest the water, rather than the road and climb the hill. Continue to the cricket pitch and then into Balcombe Village.
Perfect timing for the Half Moon Inn, I stopped and had lunch. Had a nice chat and decided on my next move. The balanced decision was to continue to Nymans but without the diversion to High Beeches which, I was told is on a bit of a trafficky road. That way, I should make it back home with time. You could, of course, exit the walk at the Balcombe station and travel back over the viaduct you've seen earlier. Take the Haywards Heath Road north at the pub. Cross the London Road beside the primary school. The familiar sound of children sqwawking ensued. The footpath leads through to the more substantial Westup Road. You cross the railway here. Waving at the oncoming train was successful and I was duly honked. I was also delighted to pause at the Westup Road Bench where you can make notes the Westup Bench Book.
Stay with the path going roughly west through Westup Farm and on the Brantridge Lane. Cross this and continue to the 1904, neo-William and Mary style Ditton Place which is now apartments. Beyond Allen's Farm, bear right to Dillion's Vineyard. At Oldhouse, the path becomes The Sussex Ouse Valley Way, again and enters the National Trust Nymans Estate. You can legitimately follow the Lake Walk to the main Cuckfield Road and I chose to take the Iron walk for variation. Cow and Carrotty Wood are open access woods.
Sweaty, I waited for the less than frequent bus going to Hassocks. I was out of time but happy.
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