East Grinstead Circular T=swc.40
Length: 10.9 miles (17.6km) 5 out of 10
Trains: Get the 09:44 East Grinstead train from Victoria, arriving 10:50 (Clapham 09:53, East Croydon 10:10. Return trains are xx:12 & xx:42.
Note change of train times, due to ASLEF overtime ban. There may be cancellations, and the last train back is at 20:42.
Buy a return ticket to East Grinstead
This walk takes you around pleasant hilly countryside to the south of East Grinstead, with fine views and relatively gentle gradients, and the familiar Wealden mix of pasture, woods and ancient houses. East Grinstead high street has many tudor and medieval timber framed buildings.
Early in the walk you pass Standen, a National Trust-owned house and garden exemplifying the 19th century Arts and Crafts style popularised by William Morris and others. If you want to make a visit to the house, three short walks to Standen are possible - see the walk text. Later the walk takes you past the remains of Brambletye House, a romantic ruin almost since it was built in the 17th century.
Lunch: It is 8.7km (5.4 miles) from East Grinstead. Chequers Inn Hotel (01342 823333) in Forest Row serves meals, pizzas and ciabattas 12pm-5pm. Next door to it on the left is the Java and Jazz Cafe and Pizzeria (01342 862699) which is open until 10.30pm Monday to Saturday, or 6pm on Sundays. Across the road is the Brambletye Hotel (a pub, essentially). Plus various other options, particularly the Hop Yard Brewery for it's beer, which has separate Thai and pizza concessions.
Tea: Back in East Grinstead, there are many options. CJ’s Cafe Bar just before Cafe Nero, which is open until late in the evening. It has a roof terrace with a fine view of the churchyard. Just before it on the left is the Old Bank Cafe, open to 5pm daily. Pub choices include the Dorset Arms opposite CJs, and the Crown nearby.
Closer to the station is Bluebells (01342 458 491) on the corner of Railway Approach, which has a pleasant ambience and good selection of cakes and is open till 5pm.
Directions, GPX etc can be found here: https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walk/east-grinstead-circular/