Creative Writing Walk - Mayfield

Wander through an atmospheric woodland and enjoy creative writing exercises to help you observe, imagine and connect ideas. Notebook and pen essential. This walk is led by local author and walking expert Deirdre Huston - all writers are welcome.

Meeting point: Mayfield, Long Stay Free Car Park on South Street, Start GR: TQ 587 269 Postcode: TN206DF.

Distance / duration:  2 miles / 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Leisurely

Dogs on leads welcome; children over 10 welcome; WC at start of route; cafe, pub or coffee shop en route

Sussex Circular from Tunbridge Wells

Join us to celebrate the relaunch of the Tunbridge Wells  Circular Walk. We will be walking the Sussex Circular, full details at www.khwp.org.uk

Meeting point: Dunorlan Park, Hall’s Hole Road Car Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4RE. Map ref TQ600393.

Distance / duration:  Full Walk 15 miles / 6-8 hours. Half Walk to Groombridge (Spa Valley Railway back to Tunbridge Wells) 9 Miles / 4-5 hours.

Difficulty: Moderate

Dogs on leads welcome; children welcome; WC en route; cafe/pub/shop en route; bring packed lunch if required 

The High Weald in Miniature

Ardingly circuit looking at ancient woodlands, water power, farms as centres of economy and valuable meadows.

Meeting point: South Gate entrance to the South of England Showground car park, Selsfield Rd, Ardingly, RH17 6TJ. Map ref: TQ346299 (on-road parking available).

Distance / duration:  2-3hours.

Difficulty: Moderate; Some steep sections, possibly muddy.

Children over 12 welcome; cafe/pub/shop en route

Robertsbridge and Salehurst – Low & High Country

This walk  takes in a number of different High Weald habitats.  Explore a mix of tracks, woodland and grassland with historical interest, and enjoy fantastic hilltop views.

Meeting point: Station Road Car Park, Robertsbridge, TQ7372 2356

Distance  / duration: 5.6 miles (9.2 km) - about 4 hrs, including own refreshments stop at half-way point 

Difficulty: Moderate

Children welcome; WC en route; bring packed lunch

Broadwater Warren to Eridge Rocks

A circular walk exploring the ancient woodland and heathland of Broadwater Warren and the famous sandstone Eridge Rocks, looking out for wildlife along the way.

Meeting Point: Broadwater Warren Car Park, TN3 9JP (nearest). Grid ref TQ554372.

Distance / Duration: 3.5 miles / 2.5 hours 

Difficulty: Leisurely

Dogs on leads welcome; children welcome

Buxted River Valley

Explore the River Uck towards the source in its Tunbridge Wells sandstone valley. Lovely views, ecology, geology and ancient buildings en route. Bring a picnic!

Meeting point: Buxted Station car park (£2 charge), TN22 4LA. Grid ref TQ 497233

Distance / duration: 8 miles / 4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Children welcome; bring packed lunch

Secrets of Snipe Wood

A leisurely guided walk to discover the ancient woodland features hidden away within Snipe Wood, near Tunbridge Wells.

Meeting point: Pembury Library car park, Henwood Green Road, T.Wells TN2 4HS. Map ref: TQ629414.

Distance / duration: 0.9 miles / 2hrs

Difficulty: Leisurely

Dogs on leads welcome; children welcome; bring packed lunch if required

Exploring Danehill & Chelwood Gate

Exploring some of the more remote areas in the south of the High Weald AONB.

Meeting Point: Danehill Recycling Car Park, 135/TQ4042748

Distance / duration: 5 miles / 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Children welcome

Rocks, Rivers, Rails and Trails

A circular walk around the beautiful High Weald parish of Withyam. We will have drinks stops pre and post -lunch. Lots to see!

Meeting point: Birchden Wood car park, TN3 9NJ, OS Exp. 135, TQ533364. Parking fee of £4, car / fee sharing recommended.

Distance / duration: 9.5 miles, 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Dogs on leads welcome; WC en route; bring packed lunch if required

Horam Heritage

Exploring part of the Cuckoo Trail, experience the combination of Horam’s industrial heritage and the wealth of nature that now inhabits the same spaces. 

Meeting point: Horam Car Park, Hillside Drive, TN21 0HL. Map ref: TQ578174

Distance / duration: 1.5-2hr (mostly gravel surface)

Difficulty: Leisurely

Dogs on leads welcome; children welcome

Ashdown Archaeology

The lumps, bumps, pits and ditches in the landscape can tell us about its history. On this pretty walk, through woodland and along a stream, we will look at how to identify the features we pass to learn about the Ashdown Forest’s past. Led by the Ashdown Education Team.

Meeting Point: Lintons Car Park on the A22 (Ashdown Forest car park map)

Distance / duration: 2.5 miles, 2 hours

Difficulty: Leisurely

Bring packed lunch if required

Two Valleys from Burwash

Starting in Burwash (former home of author Rudyard Kipling), this figure-of-eight walk passes through the picturesque Rother and Dudwell valleys, with some historical talk along the way.

Meeting point: Burwash public car park (free) next to The Bear Inn, off High Street; grid ref. TQ 673 246

Distance / duration: 6 miles/ 3 hours

Difficulty: Leisurely

Dogs on leads welcome; children welcome; WC en route; bring packed lunch if required

Ashdown Forest Views

A circular walk on the historic Ashdown Forest - explore one of  the most famous parts of the High Weald and enjoy picturesque views across the forest, the South Downs and Low Weald.

Meeting point: Box car park on Ashdown Forest. Free parking. Map ref TQ460289 Post Code TN22 3  - on the Crowborough Road between A22 and B2026 (Ashdown Forest car park map)

Distance / duration: 5 miles  /2 .5hrs

Difficulty: Leisurely

Dogs on leads welcome; children welcome

Bewl Water and Scotney Castle

An 11-mile walk through the undulating Wealden countryside. Enjoy breathtaking views of Bewl Water reservoir - the largest stretch of open water in South East England - and  14th Century Scotney Castle.

Meeting point: Pillory Corner public car park, OS Exp 136, TQ711322, TN5 7QG

Duration / distance: 11 miles / 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Dogs on leads welcome; WC en route; cafe/pub/shop en route; bring packed lunch if required

Burwash Weald - A Wildlife Wander

Join Laurie Jackson from Buglife and learn how our bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other important pollinators interract with the High Weald landscape

Meeting point: The Wheel Inn, Burwash Weald, TN19 7LA

Duration / distance: 4 miles / 2.5 hour

Difficulty: Leisurely

WC en route; cafe/pub/shop en route

Nutley Windmill & The Airman's Grave

Explore the Ashdown Forest, taking in the famous Nutley Windmill and the Airman's Grave - a memorial to the crew of  the RAF Wellington, which crashed on the Forest in 1941. Nutley Windmill will be open for a tour - a donation is recommended.

Meeting Point: Hollies car park, Ashdown Forest. Map ref TQ462287 (Ashdown Forest car park map)

Distance / duration: 5 miles

Difficulty: Leisurely

Children welcome

The Buckhurst Terrier

The landscape of the beautiful Medway Valley, mapped out 400 years ago and little changed since. Why? A small latin  dog - what can possibly go wrong?

Meeting Point: Hartfield Church, Hartfield Street, Hartfield, TN7 4AG. Map ref TQ 479357.

Distance / duration: 8 miles / 5-6 hours including 1 hour lunch (can be purchased from village shop, alternatively bring a packed lunch).

Difficulty: Moderate

Children welcome; bring packed lunch if required; cafe/pub/shop en route

A High Weald Walk - Flimwell & Bedgebury

Explore  Flimwell and the atmospheric Bedgebury Forest, adjacent to the National Pinetum. This walk showcases the sheer variety of walking on offer in the High Weald. 

Meeting point: Pillory Corner car park on the A21 north of Flimwell. Free parking. Map ref TQ711322. Post code TN5 7QG

Distance / duration: 8 miles / 5 hours

Difficulty:  Moderate

WC en route; bring packed lunch if required

Penshurst Estate Walk

An easy walk at a leisurely pace on surfaced and unsurfaced paths through the historic Penshurst Estate. We will  pass through both grassland and woodland habitats.

Meeting Point: The gatehouse at the main entrance to the Penshurst Estate, Rogue’s Hill, Penshurst, Tonbridge TN11 8BS. Map ref: TQ527438. On-street parking available.

Distance / Duration: 2.9 miles / 2 hours

Difficulty: Leisurely

Dogs on leads welcome; children over 5 welcome

Views & Valleys - Wakehurst Estate

Explore the forest ridge landscape on our plant hunters expedition and seek out some of the High Weald’s botanical jewels

Meeting point: Outside the Visitor Centre at Wakehurst, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew,  Ardingly, Haywards Heath, RH17 6TN (car park charges apply). Map ref: TQ341317 

Distance / duration: 3 miles / 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate - some steep slopes 

Children welcome; WC en route; bring packed lunch if required; cafe/pub/shop en route

Benenden & the High Weald Landscape Trail

An undulating walk for reasonably fit walkers. A number of stiles will be encountered as we explore the pretty Wealden village of Benenden and part of the High Weald Landscape Trail.

Meeting point: Benenden Church.  OS Exp 125, TQ808327, TN17 4DL. Roadside parking around the Green

Distance / duration: 8 miles / 4.5 hours

Difficulty:  Leisurely

Dogs on leads welcome; Children welcome; bring packed lunch if required

Hadlow Down & Wealden Iron

A delightful, peaceful walk in remote countryside through undulating meadows and woods, where the Wealden iron industry flourished in yesteryear.

Meeting point: Hadlow Down starting from Wilderness Wood car park TN22 4HJ, map ref TQ535241 (with kind permission)

Distance / duration: 6 miles

Difficulty: Leisurely

Children welcome

Unknown valleys, streams and water-based wildlife

Explore Boreham St, Nunningham Stream and part of  the historic 1066 route.

Meeting point: The Bull's Head (top car park), Boreham Street, Hailsham BN27 4SF. Map ref: TQ665112.

Distance / duration: 4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Bring packed lunch if required

Lamberhurst, Kilndown and Scotney Castle Estate

This walk starts in the attractive Kent village of Lamberhurst and progresses to Kilndown, taking in an interesting and unusual church. Return via woodland and open country of the Scotney Castle estate.

Meeting point: Public car park, The Broadway, Lamberhurst, TN3 8DB. Map ref: TQ676361. In the event of car park being full, street parking is available.

Distance / duration: 5 miles / 3 hours

Difficulty: Leisurely 

WC en route; bring packed lunch if required

Winnie-the-Pooh Walk

A fun walk visiting this famous bear's favorite places: The Enchanted Place, Roo’s Sandy Pit, The North Pole, Pooh Sticks Bridge, Milne & Shepard Memorial.

Meeting point: Gills Lap car park on Ashdown Forest. Free parking. Map ref TQ 468315.

Distance / duration: 6 miles / 3 hours

Difficulty: Leisurely 

Suitable for children over 5; dogs on leads welcome

Brede High Woods - Conservation & History

A fascinating walk and talk taking in the varied habitats, management and history of this large and complex Woodland Trust site, guided by the Site Manager David Bonsall.

Meeting Point: Brede High Woods western car park, TQ 794 208

Distance / duration: 2.5 miles / 3 hours

Difficulty: Leisurely pace, moderate terrain

Dogs on leads welcome; suitable for children; bring packed lunch if required

St Leonard's Forest & High Weald

Challenging walk starting up through St Leonard's Forest on to the High Weald, finally returning through the forest
to the car park.

Meeting point: Roosthole car park. Map Ref: TQ208, 298,  postcode near RH13 6PG

Distance / duration: 8 miles. 3.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Bring packed lunch if required

Beckley Circular

Explore quintessential High Weald Woodland and enjoy views across open countryside (some hills).

Meeting point: Beckley village hall, parking at the lower end of the car park. OS Exp 125, TQ853240, TN31 6RL

Distance / duration: 9 miles, 4.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Dogs on leads welcome; suitable for children; WC en route; bring packed lunch if required

The Groombridge Triangle

A new settlement and 5 rail routes appeared in only 30 years in this quiet area. Why? Transport and Triangles – what can possibly go wrong?

Meeting Point: Groombridge Station, Newton Willows, Groombridge, TN3 9RD. Grid REf TQ 533 371

Distance / duration: 5 miles / 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Suitable for children; cafe/pub/shop en route

Stone-in-Oxney

Enjoy panoramic views over the Rother Levels, exploring the Royal Military Canal and Stone Cliff - 150ft above sea level.

Meeting point: St Mary the Virgin Church, Church Hill, Stone in Oxney, TN30 7JT. Map ref: TQ940273. Limited on-street parking available, please care share where possible.

Distance / duration: 3 miles / 2 hours

Difficulty: Leisurely (some steep hills)

Dogs on leads welcome; WC en route; suitable for children; bring packed lunch if possible

Where the High Weald Meets the Sea

Energetic walk with panoramic views; downs-and-ups through Hastings Country Park and farmland, partly using proposed Coast Path route along grassy cliff-tops and shady gill woodlands.

Meeting point: Public car park on left, with WC, Lower Coastguard Lane, Fairlight  TN35 4AB. Map ref: TQ859119. Charge £3 per day; pay and display. Public transport: 101 bus leaves Hastings Station at 09:43, arr 10:05 Coastguard Lane, Fairlight stop)

Distance / duration: 8.5 miles  / Approx 4.5 to 5 hours.

Difficulty: Moderate - Total ascent: 420.5m (not in one go)

Dogs on leads welcome; WC en route; cafe/pub/shop en route; bring packed lunch if required

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Sample walk from 'Day Walks on the High Weald' Guidebook

Join local author and walking expert Deirdre Huston on a peaceful circuit through High Weald scenery in Mid-Sussex. Glimpse the lives of a prosperous Iron Industry family and return via a vineyard.  

Meeting Point: Batchelor’s Field Car Park at Rawson Hall, off The Street, Bolney. TQ: 261 231 Postcode: RH17 5PG

Distance / duration: 8.4 miles. Allow 4 to 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

WC en route; shop/cafe/pub en route; bring packed lunch if required

Crowborough's History

A walk around part of historic Crowborough, following Pilmer Road to the Boars Head to Limekiln Wood, Steel Cross and return via the Goldsmith Centre.

Meeting point: Crowborough Library, Pine Grove (TQ512310).

Distance / duration: 5-6 miles, 

Difficulty: Easy

Suitable for children; WC en route

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - Walk with a Warden

A walk around the saltmarsh and shingle beach looking for seabirds, ducks, waders and raptors. Bring binoculars if
you have them.

Meeting point: Rye Harbour village car park TN31 7TX

Distance / duration: 2 miles, 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Dogs on leads welcome; suitable for children; WC en route

Stonegate to Wadhurst Deer Park

Pass through historic woodland before entering Wadhurst Deer Park, a 700-hectare private estate which is managed for conservation and wildlife; keep your fingers crossed for deer sightings. We return past The Wilderness, Buttons and Dens Farm.

Meeting point: Stonegate Rail Station car park, TN5 7ER. Map ref: TQ658272. Car park charge £1.

Distance / duration: 7.5 miles / 3.5-4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Bring packed lunch if required

A Walk for Non-Walkers - Mayfield Meander

Learn about where you can go and what you can do in the countryside with some tips on how to find your way around, stay safe and have fun. The walk will be slow with lots of stops and will explore woods, fields and a beautiful stream

Meeting point: Mayfield Long Stay Free Car Park on South Street, TN206DF. Map ref: TQ587269. Park in Village Hall car park if full.

Distance / duration: 1.6 miles / 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

WC en route; dogs on leads welcome; suitable for children

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