Variations
It's not often that I visit a place twice in a row. It goes against my creed but knowing that heat was persisting, I thought I'd try for more of the winged insects, as I'd enjoyed them so much last week. I actually saw more butterflies outside of Rowland Woods than within them. Try as I might, I could not cover any more distance and it was one 'wick' to another, rather than a 'wick to a 'haven. It's still catchy. Something about the flat, flood-plain sheep pasture, below The Downs, had the effect of stretching the distances and it was still a 20-miler before even climbing any hills. The path traverses a line of a Roman Road here and I can imagine the same thoughts being had by the ancient weary travellers of the Low Weald. The very last bit of my walk was made for simplicity and to switch it up from the former route. You can imagine those Romans again as you persist in a determined easterly direction. I wonder if they were as tired or thirsty as I was.
Change from a Haywards Heath train to a bus for a fairly reliable connection. The 31 goes in the Uckfield direction and you can hop off at The Green in Newick. If the connection from Berwick station is slow, consider backtracking to Polegate and changing at Brighton, to return.
From the main road, head down Church Road on what is The Sussex Ouse Valley Way. I used the post box at The Pantry. Pass the road to the church and continue from the leafy lane to the sandstone hollow. You are already nearly at the top of Founthill at only 55 metres. As you cross the stile into the field, you are close by the trig. I popped through the fence to examine the 'crown of trees' planted for the Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee. It seems bonkers that this small hillock is planted with giant redwoods but ok. Back on track, I navigated round the cows, fresh from the milking sheds. My eye was not quite on the ball and I kept finding myself on the wrong side of the fence. Try to stay true, past Double Barns Farm, over Sharpsbridge Lane and through Vuggles farm and past its roofed oasthouse. Newick Park and the Sutton Hall Estate have been owned by the Sclaters since the 18th century. James Henry Sclater was a founding member of the RHS and his descendents have been responsible for much considered felling and tree planting around Newick and Gipps Farm. This includes a popular Christmas tree venture.
The path steers abruptly south to follow the line of the Ouse. It meets the river a second time at a weir. If you go through the gate at Isfield Lock, maintained by the legendary Monday Group, and turn left, you can see this more clearly. This is the site of a papermill and its wharf. The lock has been restored by the Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust, without the gates, but making the upper Ouse navigable again is not something supported by everyone interested in the biodiversity of the water. Controversy. Stay with the river as it crosses the Roman road and passes a 12th century motte and bailey that is difficult to discern, having fallen out of use by the 13th. The river Uck pays tribute and then join the bridleway east, at Whitebridge. This area is also marked as the Culpeper Nature Reserve although I can find nothing about it. Herbalist Nicholas Culpeper spent his childhood at Isfield. Station Road takes you to Isfield Station, the only bit of the Lavender Line left.
Go down the Lewes Road a little way and then take the drive to the back of the houses, on the left, where you continue south. Follow the next left and a bit of a rough track through to the A26. Go right and then crossthe main road, taking the drive and bridleway at the side of Plashett Wood. This is an SSSI with notable species of butterfly, trees and plants. It sits on the edge of Plashett Park, once a deer park owned by the Archbishops of Canterbury. There were horses here enjoying a trot. The Broyle, evident in the names to the south, is the remains of a deer park enclosed in 1767. At Harvey's Lane, turn right and continue on the footpath on the left.
At the main road, turn left and cross at the footpath on the right into Laughton Common. We're back in the estate of the Pelham's. The newer manor house we met last week, just north of the woods but the tower of the original remains to the south. Both are signposted on Wealden Council's Wealden Walking routes although the website is a little dodgy. Keep heading east from footpath to byway. On Common Lane, go north and duck back through the hedge at Spences Farm. Once on a byway again, turn right to rejoin Common Lane again. It was just an exploratory zig-zag. Turn left to the five way junction. Here, take the byway into to the trees to the east.
The walk is lengthy and passes through different wooded plots, Brickhurst, sandpit and Laughton Common Wood. Laughton was known for its bricks and brickworks, Laughton Place was built from very early examples. Advanced in some ways, Laughton itself did not get mains water until the 1950s. At Park Lane, go north and enter Rowland Wood, on the left. Wander at will. I took a left to Park Heath Corner and did a rough loop. I saw fewer butterflies and dragonflies but I also saw a couple of deer. I think they were water deer and they didn't seem very fazed by my presence. Back through the bracken, rejoin Park Lane and go through Keepers Gate to enter Laughton Greenwood. Make your way down to Vert Lane and the footpath that goes southwest from this. Pound Lane will bring you to Laughton. I had an expensive lunch at the pub.
A little further on the Laughton Road, take the footpath on the left behind the houses and cross some meadows. Another place to be sure you are on the right side of the hedges. It was hot and I was out of water. Luckily, a stiff southerly kept me a little cooler. Continue on the paths that bring you towards Laughton Place in a southwesterly direction. At a final field where two footpaths cross, I stopped in the shade under some twin oaks. I had the most lovely unconditional greeting by a pair of dogs enjoying their walk. They'd both had a dip. The owner said that the frizzy one like to roll in the dust after a swim and Benji was distinctly gritty - best day ever! I was struck by the peace here amongst the sheep. The tower of Laughton place was shrouded by scaffolding. The substantial moat was not visible. Continue over the footbridge to the south.
Leave it behind, as the Pelhams did and go east. You will come out at Mark Cross and continue on Mark Cross Lane into Ripe. Press the button at Stars Barn and go through the garden to the junction. You could stop at the Village Stores but I marched on Church Lane and right onto Channers Lane. Once you reach Mill Lane, go immediately left into the field and follow it through to Langtye Lane. I couldn't face the planted field beyond and decided to go as the Romans might, southeast on the quietish road. Stay with Langtye Lane going to Berwick and the next footpath on your right will be the Vanguard Way. Mays Farm is a striking building. Enter the field at the front door, go through Harvey's Gate and pass the barn at Ludlay Farm. More sheep shaded themselves in the field. Continue to follow the signs around the wood and up hill, until you come out of the trees, next to the station.
No time a drink at the pub today and a connection via the north side of the tracks got me back home. To the hills next week.
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