Not Counting
Its the first day of the Big Butterfly Count. I'm also volunteering for the Lost Woods Project in a role that involves working out a route for others to follow. Today I loosely combined the two things for a shortish local wander. It's a work in progress as I have no experience of making this activity acceptable for others. Even during this small jaunt, I have managed to walk some paths I haven't before but, as it stands, it's not the most harmonious. One thing a short amble did allow me to do, was to drop the pace right down for proper indulgement in bug and plant-spotting.
Bedelands is well worth a visit. In the spring it is a patchwork of bluebell and anenome woodland and in the Summer, as now, it is all glorious wildflower meadows, seething with grasshoppers. As such, it is pretty special and wonderful to have, pretty much on my doorstep. Part two of the walk was maybe not the fanciest route over towards Haywards Heath then looping back. The Cock Inn might have been a nicer choice for lunch but that would have meant a compulsory more interesting and longer route back home. It was muggy again and I opted to contain myself. Both children have now broken up from school and holidays are on the horizon. Walks might be patchy for a while.
The walk can be started, as plotted, from Burgess Hill Station but Wivelsfield Station, (still in Burgess Hill), provides quicker access to the Reserve. Go ahead and spend a morning here and then maybe go for lunch in town.
From Burgess Hill station, cross opposite and take Grove Road. Follow it to its end as it joins Mill Road. As you continue, you will climb a hill and see the verdant land in the distance. Take St Wilfred's Road on the right and turn left onto the tarmac path through the Railway Lands. As you exit onto Leylands Road or begin from Wivelsfield Station, you are in an area known as Worlds End. This name has a history with the railway navvies and there are a few stories available. Cross and bear left in the north part of the Railway Lands. This will bring you out on Maple Close.
There is an entrance into Leylands Wood and the reserve on Maple Drive but I opted to continue west and follow the brown sign to the car park. Burgess Hill's own football ground is here. Cross the recreation ground on the right side and admire the carved sculpture at the official entrance. Maps dot the area but somehow I get quite disoriented here. All the meadows and woods are labelled and my route involved:
Leylands Wood, Big Field, Watford Meadow and Wood, a field outside the reserve that was well walked, Wet meadow, Old Arable, Big Wood, Furze Common Field, Upper Plantation, Valebridge Common Field, the Dipping Pond and then back on the footpath to the Mill Pond.
One sign points out that the land between Wet Meadow and Freek's Lane is private land. Paths through here must be pretty incidental but I wonder if things might change with the new Northern Arc houses just west of here. The rattle and tap of construction is still present in this direction. I found so many butterflies and a couple of hideous/amazing spiders.
The river Adur marks the northern extent of the reserve and the footpath runs north besides Valebridge pond. No mill remains. Lilies are on your right and waterfalls are on your left. All the ponds were a bit depleted but insect life was still abundant. A dog I had met at the dipping pond was busy here rolling in the dirt while its owner chatted. It said hello again and accepted a pat. I watched the scuttling movements of what I presume were grey wagtails masquerading as dippers on the waterfalls. A footpath leads away to the west, midway beside the ponds western edge and follows the route of the eastern Adur. Ignore this but continue north towards the pylon. The private shed belonging to the Bolnore Estate had its door open and I could see it was an old stable with hay racks in. I wonder how old it is.
You might consider this bit part two - the lackluste sequel. After the pylon, the footpath meets a bridleway east-west. Go west to Rocky Lane. You turn right here on this tricky but short road section. Take extra care and position yourself for visibility. Once through the railway arch, you are safe and can join the footpath to Clearwaters Farm. The farm has signposted you through their land. The path divides just after the electric-fenced paddock. Going east is tricky and was overgrown with Himalayan balsam. I suggest continuing southeast to the bridleway. Going back northeast will bring you to the same footbridge.
I continued on the bridleway with the thought to carry on east but I figured that I could make a walk just of Bedelands. This second bit was just not meshing. It was also lunchtime and I thought I'd try the pub on Fox Hill. Take the footpath on the left that leads into the housing estate, left of the bridleway. Exit the houses in the northeast corner and the pub is there.
After refreshment, I went south by the road. This becomes Ditchling Road and you can take the path on the right. The footpath splits from the bridleway and crosses the field, south. There are some rather sturdy-looking mature trees ahead of you. I find only one mention of 'Lisnagreugh' on the internet, in some documented wills. This unusual placename derives, I think, from the Irish for 'fort of the cattle'. I don't know the connection but soon the path takes you to the front of Lunces Hall. Wifel has a mention in the 8th Century and it is his field or parish you are walking in. The church is Saxon at its core and I was thinking the door was reproduction! I couldn't look inside as there was a service going on. The hollowed yew tree is 1000 years old. Go south from the church and then southwest through the gate in the corner.
The path follows the field edge and then along to Ote Hall, another old manor house from the 16th century and used as a wedding venue. Go west and continue next to the hedge before crossing a field into an alley between the houses. Eventually you will return to World's End at Valebridge Road. Cross it and go under the rail bridge. Turn left immediately after the track and you'll be back in the Railway Land. South to Wivelsfield Station and back the way you came.
I keep thinking about the spiders in part 1.
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