Having the Gall

BURGESS HILL LOOP VIA NIGHTINGALE MEADOWS, THE GREEN CIRCLE, HAMMONDS MEADOW, THE HERRINGS STREAM AND GODDARDS GREEN

This is a Burgess Hill classic, with all parts visited before but, this time, in dry weather; a more enjoyable proposition. I don't think of Burgess Hill as being particularly watery but this routes defies the notion by offering a string of one-time watermills towards the A23 and Hickstead.  The mills are said to have, at the very least, medieval origins. The Domesday Book, mentions that three mills stood at the time of the survey within the boundaries of the Manor of Herst, held by Robert de Pierpont as a vassal of William de Warenne. These have yet to be conclusively identified, but may well have been on this stream, described variously as the Danworth Brook.

As such, the waterside path and woods can be quite muddy and one part is nearly always partially obstructed with prickly and stinging vegetation. The less-used route about-turns abruptly when the A23 slices through what would have been a natural wander west. I have tried to form a route to keep you connected with the waterway and some old woodland that has been around since when  it was the Hurst parish and Burgess Hill the town was but a twinkle.

You can begin at the station or later at the London Road bus stop. Either way, you will join The Green Circle and the route loops back to your chosen start. 

From the station, take the east side of the track and go south, over the stile until you reach the railway bridge. Test the theory and wave at the train drivers. Chances are that you will receive a depot whistle, at the very least. Now go west, beyond the pond, north through the roadside trees to the crossing on London Road. On The Green Circle, follow it until you reach Hammonds Meadow. Now go south until you cross the metal footbridge over the water. I was a little concerned by the red protusions into the water here. Fearing some insidious pollution incident, I later Googled and was relieved to find the see anemone-like bodies to be willow roots. There is indeed a willow here. Views of Wolstonbury are to the south.

You're going to join the south bank of the Herrings Stream, a tributary of the Adur and follow it west from Hammonds Mill Farm. The mill with its overshot waterwheel was demolished in 1975 but what is called The Mill Race, still exists, along with the pond. Some machinery was taken for use in the restoration of Ifield Mill. You enter the trees, presumably pass where the water feeds Ruckford Mill's old millpond and emerge from the trees. You are now alongside playing fields used by Hurst College at Ruckford Mill and then some lovely old mill-related buildings. A fallen tree had to be navigated.

Cross Malthouse Lane, go north and enter the wood on the left. As you can imagine, none of this section is going to be entirely dry under foot. You exit the wood and meet Danworth Farm, cross Danworth Lane and go north towards the river, crossing Cuckfield Road. You'll meet footbridges in sight of Newhouse Farm. Once you're over the water, do not stray from the water's edge but continue at the field's edge to Cobbs Mill in the north, the only building to which you'll get close enough to to imagine a working cornmill with its restored and waterwheel. Waters diverted from nearby Danworth Brook, supplemented by Langton Brook, drove a mid-Victorian overshot waterwheel here, until work ceased in 1966.

You could go north on Northend Lane and then a left into Pookbourne Lane. This road references a spring-fed stream that locals may have seen to be posessed of the fairy world and at its source, the location of which might lie at the heart of early Burgess Hill. In this direction, you will avoid an often overgrown section that skims the western border of what is accessible up to the A23.

Alternatively and for the brave/foolhardy, myself included, continue on the footpath opposite. The Herring stream is now away on your left as you move through the paddocks. You will cross the Pook Bourne and edge closer to the dual carriageway. The last vegetated section leads you along the roadside ditch before turning away eastward, the growth easing as the path rejoins the Pookbourne Lane. Opposite or on the right, (if you've opted for the road), continue with the Pook now on your right toward an avenue of trees. Keep following this line over another small footbridge and along to the ponds of Dumbrell's Farm. 

When the path meets Gatehouse Lane, turn right on this now partially redundant road and you'll be at the junction with The Sportsman Pub. I had a pastry before the last leg.

Over the junction, go with Gatehouse Lane until you meet the bridleway on the right. This is The Green Circle again or Pangdean Lane. Bear left to walk through the Pangdean Meadows. One of a number of sculptures sits within the teasly growth. Cross Malthouse Lane to ford the Pook one last time. The path splits to allow horses through the water and walkers to walk over it. After the burial ground, the Emily Temple sculpture gives us more local history before Hammonds Ridge. Maltings Farm is on your right and it might surprise you to know that you have been and are within the bounds of Hurstpierpoint. After the Tescos roundabout and a quick diversion to the shop for groceries, there is yet another sculpture dedicated to John Charles Bee-Mason in Hammonds Meadow and you're back on track.

For a final variation, re-cross the London Road and this time, continue through Nightingale Meadows, directly east but bear north over a footbridge. Join Nightingale Lane and cross Chanctonbury Road. This is a brief walk on the line of a Roman road as the plaque on the pavement indicates. On your right is a clay pit remnant now grown with grass, in the shape of The Dell. This is aside Potters Lane and the connection is no surprise. A spot of diversification by the local farmers brought the brick and tile industry to a peak in the 19th century. Go right on Woodcrest Road and enter a scrap of wood, with a welcome heavy presence of beautiful oaks. I am reminded to look up. A council budget for 'connectivity' has meant the production of a very fine surface through this arboreal punctuation. This is the surviving breath of Holmesdale Wood amongst the 50s housing estate and I've brought you here on an apparent whim.

Now rejoin the fine tree-lined road of Chanctonbury and go north, parallel with the railtrack. The trees form a wildlife corridor for hunting owls, foxes and the territorial haunt of springtime woodpeckers. I admit now that my leanings here may not be pure fancy. The route will take you past some trees that predate the housing, with over twenty beautiful oaks at your side and some other lovely mature limes, chestnuts and beech. The water diviners have brought us to another patch of green on your right. The Pook has its swansong. In a disappointing finale, the bourne has been mischieviously piped underground to where it feeds the pond at Oak Hall Park on the other side of the tracks.

At the Queens Crescent Playground, a particular school favourite, hold it in mind that as you cross the car park and head to the station, you are at the site of the Burgess Hill Farm on Wolstonbury Way and while the farm is long gone, again the oaks and chestnuts likely predate everything else present. Just ask the jackdaws. Turn right to make it to the railway.