Walk 18 : Wadhurst Circular

Standard walk: 19.0km (11.8miles), 5 hours 50 minutes. For the whole outing including trains, sights and meals allow 8 hours

Short walk: 10km (6.2miles), 3 hours 10 minutes.

Long walk: 34km (21.1 miles), 7 hours (fast pace) 10 hours 30 minutes (relaxed pace) walking time.

OS LandRanger Map Nos. 188 & 199 (for last part of the long walk section). OS Explorer Map No. 136. Wadhurst(station), reference TQ 621330 is East Sussex 7km south east of Tunbridge Wells.

4 out of 10

The prime attraction of this walk is the pleasure of walking through the unspoiled countryside of the High Weald through a region classed as an area of outstanding natural beauty. In August and September the hedgerows are rich with blackberries. The route at the outset follows the Sussex Border Path, but soon diverts south to Tidebrook, and continues south to the pub in Mayfield. It is worth spending some time in Mayfield as it has many attractive old buildings and the 15th century church is now a grade I listed building. The route after lunch heads north east before continuing north to Wadhurst village for tea. The long walk takes you past Bewl Water, which lies just north east of Wadhurst. Bewl Water is the largest area of open water in south east England and host to a huge variety of wildlife; it is one of the region's most popular attractions.

You may reduce the length of the standard walk by 9km to 10km (6.2 miles) by following the standard walk directions as given until [3]. Then follow the Short walk directions and then pick up the standard walk directions at [10].

Varying the walk If you are happy to go without tea, then you may vary the end of this walk and finish at Stonegate. This reduces the length of the standard walk by 3km to 16km (9.9 miles). Follow the Standard walk directions to [7], then follow the Alternative ending for the Standard walk at Stonegate directions, to link up with the end of the long Stonegate directions at [L7]. Buy a return rail ticket to Stonegate.

Lengthening the walk For the long distance walker, thiswalk may be extended to34km (21.1miles) by taking the short walk and linking it with the long walk directions. This route continues north of Wadhurst passing Bewl water and through Etchingham and into Robertsbridge (The directions from [10] are available from the website referenced in the appendix under Updates, News and Credits.) Walking at a faster pace you should still allow 9 hours for the 34km walk. You may even take the standard walk and link it with the long walk directions for a 43km (26.7 mile) walk. Buy a return rail ticket to Robertsbridge.

Wadhurst to Robertsbridge Long Walks

The Wadhurst Circular walk may be extended to either 34 km (21.1 miles) or 43 km.

After leaving the standard, or shorter Wadhurst walk, this longer walk heads north to go around the Northern side of Bewl Water (the largest lake in the south east). It then follows the peaceful Sussex Border path, before heading south along the River Rother into Robertsbridge.

The 34 km option should take about 10 hours.

Further details, and the walking instructions, download the PDF (link above)

Wadhurst is a pleasant village set on a ridge and has many attractive weatherboarded or tiled houses. The village was once one of the most flourishing of the iron-smelting centres of the Weald. The industry had modest beginnings in the 2nd century, but by the middle of the 16th century it had established Sussex as the foremost industrial county of England. However, by the 17th century competition from Swedish iron imports led to a gradual decline in the industry, resulting in its eventual demise at the start of the 19th century.

The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Wadhurst, dates from the 11th century. It is famous for 31 iron tomb slabs dating 1617 to 1799, a greater number than any other church in England, reflecting Wadhurst's connection with the Wealden iron industry. The church has a Norman tower with a pretty needle spire. In the west window of the south aisle there is glass designed by Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.

Mayfield, a delightful village situated at the end of an almost detached ridge above the headwaters of the River Rother. There are many attractive old buildings along the High Street. The Church of Saint Dunstans, Mayfield, was named after the 10th-century priest who was a principal adviser to all the Wessex kings of his day. His effigy is in the church. His many achievements included founding abbeys and becoming Archbishop of Canterbury. A legend exists that while St Dunstan - a man of many talents - was forging a horseshoe, he was approached by the devil in the guise of a fair lady. However St Dunstan, seeing a cloven hoof protruding from beneath the dress, grabbed the devil's nose with his red hot pincers, resulting in a mighty leap to Tunbridge Wells, to plunge his nose in a stream. Thereafter the devil vowed never to enter any building with a horseshoe over the door.

Take the train nearest to 9.20am (before or after) from Charing Cross station to Wadhurst. Journey time is just over an hour. Trains back from Wadhurst run once an hour.

Wadhurst station car park £2.00 weekdays and free at weekends.

Standard walk The lunchtime stop is The Rose & Crown Inn (tel 01435 872200), Mayfield 8km from the start of the walk, which serves inventive food from 12pm to 2.30pm daily. Restaurant and bar snacks. No bar snacks on Sundays. Short walk The White Hart (tel 01892 782878), Wadhurst 7km from the start of the walk, which serves pub food from 12 to 2pm daily. Long walk The Old Vine (tel 01892 782271), Cousley Wood 12.5km from the start of the walk, which serves pub food from 12 to 2pm daily. The Look Out restaurant (tel 01892 890171), Visitor's Center, Bewl Water (www.bewl.co.uk) 16 km from the start of the walk, which serves food from 12 to 4 pm at weekends, April to September (please phone for other times).An earlier suggested lunch place is The Greyhound (tel 01892 783224) St. James Square, Wadhurst, 7km from the start of the walk which serves food from 12 to 2.30pm daily.

Picnic Virtually anywhere along the route would be a good picnic spot.

Standard walk The suggested tea place is the Wealden Wholefoods Gallery Café (tel 01892-783065 www.wealdenwholefoods.co.uk), Wadhurst. It is open 9am - 4.45pm Monday to Saturday. The alternate tea place is the White Hart (tel 01892 782878), Wadhurst which offers tea and coffee. It is open daily. Short walk At the time of writing there is no tea stop after Wadhurst, whilst the Rock Robin pub opposite the station remains closed. This situation may change. Long walk The Ostrich pub (tel 01580 881737), Robertsbridge which serves tea and coffee. It is open daily.