Haywards Heath to Balcombe via Ardingly Walk

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Walk Map

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Walk Options ( Main+ | Circ. )

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13. Main Walk (18¾ km)

9. Main Walk, with Reservoir Ending (16¼ km)
1. Short Walk, omitting Ardingly village (11½ km)
2. Alternative Walk, finishing at Horsted Keynes (13¼ km)
3. Circular Walk, from Balcombe (20¼ km)
87. Circular Walk, with Reservoir Ending (17¾ km)
4. Short Circular Walk, omitting Ardingly village (13 km)

Walk Directions

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If you are doing a Circular Walk (from Balcombe), start at §C.

1. Haywards Heath Station to Copyhold Lane (2¾ km)
• Bear left out of the station and head north alongside the railway, at first on a path beside Sainsbury's car park and then up Wickham Way. Continue on the footpath heading north from Wickham Farm, across a golf course and then through a wood to reach Copyhold Lane.
1. Go down steps at the London end of the platform to leave the station through its ticket office and bear left across its forecourt. Cross the road at the pedestrian lights and go under the railway bridge. On the other side turn right by a mini-roundabout onto a combined pedestrian / cycleway going between Sainsbury's car park and the railway.
2. At the far end join Burrell Road, passing a small roadside garden? on the right. Go up to a T-junction and turn right to go back under the railway. After passing a timber merchants turn left into Wickham Way, signposted as a pedestrian route to Ardingly Reservoir, and follow this private road uphill past houses. At the top you come to a T-junction, with a metal fieldgate ahead leading into a large meadow (Wickham Fields).

The alternative route through Wickham Fields in [?] is much more appealing than the main route, but the landowner has erected “Private” notices around the meadow. Local residents have used these field paths for many years and the (provisional) alternative directions are for a new right of way which a Community Action Group is seeking to establish.

3. Main route

1. Ignore the fieldgate and turn right at the T-junction onto another private road (which is also a public footpath), going between brick pillars. In 100m turn left at a footpath signpost opposite more pillars. Go downhill on a gloomy and potentially muddy tree-lined path, heading N.
2. At the bottom of the slope go over a stream on a footbridge and continue gently uphill (if the main path is too muddy there are side paths through the woodland on the right as well as in the meadow, but you are likely to encounter more “Private” notices on these). You eventually emerge from the trees on the edge of a golf course, with a path from the meadow joining from the left.

4. Alternative route (provisional)

1. If access has been granted, make your way past the (locked) fieldgate into the meadow. Follow a mown path down through the meadow, later curving towards its left-hand side. Go down to the bottom corner to find a substantial plank bridge over a tree-lined stream.
2. After crossing the stream veer right, go through a gap in the hedge and follow a path sloping up to the top right-hand corner of another meadow. Go out through a gap to rejoin the public footpath on the edge of a golf course.
5. Head N on the public footpath through Haywards Heath Golf Course, which you will be following for about 500m. Initially there is netting on your right protecting you from big hitters on a distant driving range, and shortly afterwards you need to take care when passing in front of a tee. After the path goes into some trees keep right as indicated and follow the obvious path, passing a groundsman's hut along the way.
6. Eventually you come to a path T-junction with a three-way footpath signpost. Turn left into a wood, joining the Sussex Ouse Valley Way? (SOVW). Follow the path as it curves down to the right, then fork left at a waymarker post where a side path branches off to the right.
7. The main path down through the wood is often muddy but you can escape the worst of it on some well-trodden side paths (but take care not to stray too far from it). The path eventually bends left and leaves the wood through a metal kissing gate, emerging onto a lane by the remains of a low embankment for the abandoned Ouse Valley Railway?.
2. Copyhold Lane to Ardingly Reservoir (2 km)
• Join the High Weald Landscape Trail (HWLT) and follow it north across the Ardingly branch line, through River's Wood and across the River Ouse to Ardingly Reservoir.
1. Cross Copyhold Lane and take the tree-lined footpath just off to the right, now on both the SOVW and the High Weald Landscape Trail? (HWLT). After passing a cottage cross a ditch on a plank footbridge and go through a metal kissing gate into a potentially boggy field. Go straight across it and through another muddy area to continue gently uphill on a tree-lined track.
2. At the top of the slope go through a gate and across a brick bridge over the single-track Ardingly branch? line. Keep ahead through a metal kissing gate into River's Wood, part of the extensive Balcombe Estate. Follow the waymarked HWLT through the wood for 800m, gradually curving to the right while always heading roughly N.
3. At the end of the wood go through a gate and bear right across a grassy area towards a substantial wooden footbridge. Cross a branch of the River Ouse on this bridge (leaving the SOVW, which turns left). Go along the left-hand edge of a grassy area and cross the other branch of the river on another footbridge. Carry on up the right-hand side of a field, climbing steadily.

   As you gain height you should be able to see the Ouse Valley Viaduct?, just over 1 km away to the left.

4. Just over halfway up the field veer right through a gap in the hedge and follow a grassy path curving around the edge of another field. In the far corner go through a kissing gate and keep ahead through a small area of scrubland.

   The massive building perched on a hill 600m away to the right is Ardingly College; the loop through Ardingly village passes through its grounds on the return leg.

5. At the bottom bear right at a footpath junction (leaving the HWLT) and go down a short slope to come to the western end of the dam wall of Ardingly Reservoir?. The walk continues along the top of the dam wall, but if you want to break for refreshment there is a café in the Ardingly Activity Centre on your left.

Continue the directions at §E, or §J if you are doing the Short Walk (omitting Ardingly village).

3. Balcombe Station to London Road (2¾ km)
• Go out through the station car park and take the footpath heading south, parallel to the B2036. At Kemps Farm take a footpath on the right through Pilstye Wood and over a small hill to Rowhill Lane. Turn left briefly onto the lane, then right onto a footpath going down a field edge. Rejoin the lane (now Cherry Lane) and follow it out to the B2036, along the way joining the Sussex Ouse Valley Way (SOVW) from the right.
1. Arriving from London on Platform 2, cross the station footbridge and go out through its car park. Where the access road meets the B2036 veer right onto a signposted footpath. Before this reaches a stile turn left at a three-way signpost.
2. In 50m keep ahead across a farm track to head S on a path through partly-cleared woodland for 250m, parallel to the main road. After emerging from the trees continue on the broad grass verge alongside the road for 125m, passing the driveway to Kemps Farm on the other side and a footpath signpost.

   You are now following part of Walk 1–16, in reverse.

3. In 75m veer right at another footpath signpost and follow a narrow path into the trees and around the edge of a copse. Go over a stile into the top corner of a large farm field and turn right to go down a broad grassy strip on the field margin.

   The OS map shows the right of way as going straight ahead for 75m and then turning half-right down across the field, but even when the field has not been fenced off there has never been a clear path on the ground leading to the right exit. It is much simpler to go around the edge.

4. After about 250m along the field margin, where you are going alongside the bottom of the field, veer right through a metal kissing gate into Pilstye Wood. Cross a stream on a wooden footbridge and continue uphill for 200m, later with a fenced enclosure on your left.
5. Just after the end of the fence, the path veers left and goes up to a junction of tracks. Go straight ahead across one track and bear left onto another, still climbing and soon passing a rock outcrop on your right.
6. After the track emerges from the trees keep ahead along a broad grassy strip between fields. As you go over the brow of the hill and start to descend you might be able to glimpse the railway viaduct, 2 km ahead on the left.
7. At the start of a hedge keep left for a further 75m along the field edge, then go over a stile on the right by a pole carrying power cables. Go down a few steps and across a small field, through a gate and down another field. At the bottom go through a gap in the hedge and turn left briefly onto a lane.

   The route to Ardingly Reservoir is now the same as Part Two of Walk #22·W.

8. In 20m turn right off the lane onto the continuation of the footpath, down the right-hand side of a field. At the bottom the path curves left to rejoin the lane. Turn right to continue in much the same direction, crossing the River Ouse for the first time and then climbing gently.
9. In 300m you pass the driveway to Sidnye Farm on the right, leaving the Walk 1–16 route but joining the Sussex Ouse Valley Way? (SOVW). In a further 250m the lane comes out onto the B2036 (London Road).
4. London Road to Ardingly Reservoir (3½ km)
• Cross the B2036 and take the footpath just off to the left along a farm lane. At Great Bentley Farm turn left to follow the footpath across fields to Ryelands Farm. Go under the Ouse Valley Viaduct and turn right onto Haywards Heath Road. After crossing the River Ouse on Upper Ryelands Bridge turn left onto a footpath alongside the river for 1 km. Go back across the river (leaving the SOVW but briefly joining the High Weald Landscape Trail) and up the hillside to the Ardingly Activity Centre on the dam wall of Ardingly Reservoir.
1. Cross the main road and take the signposted footpath just off to the left, a long driveway leading to Great Bentley Farm. In 750m, where the drive swings right towards the farmhouse and crosses a stream, turn left through a small metal gate in the hedge. Go down a few steps into a long narrow meadow and bear right to join a slightly raised grassy track along its right-hand side.
2. In 300m, where the field boundary curves away to the right, keep ahead across the grass to come to a wooden footbridge on the other side of the meadow. Go back across the River Ouse and turn half-right to follow a grassy path across another meadow.
3. On the far side go through a metal fieldgate into the bottom corner of a sloping field. Carry on in much the same direction, slanting up across it and aiming for a metal kissing gate about 20m to the right of a fieldgate in the top corner. Follow a path through the tree boundary and another gate, then along a fenced path around two sides of a small field.
4. Go through a metal kissing gate in the hedge and follow a farm track past an outbuilding and round to the left by Ryelands Farmhouse. In 30m veer right off the track at a prominent FOOTPATH signpost and go through a kissing gate into a field, with a stunning view of the Ouse Valley Viaduct? ahead.
5. Follow a broad grassy path across the field and under the viaduct carrying the Brighton line, with a striking view through the hollow centres of the brick piers along its full length. Carry on alongside a fence to a gate and turn right onto a road (Haywards Heath Road).
6. There is no pavement on this fairly busy road but there are parking spaces on both sides, and after passing a house there is a path in the narrow grass verge on the other side which you can use. Immediately after crossing the River Ouse again turn left through a gate onto the continuation of the SOVW, a grassy path along the left-hand edge of a long water meadow.
7. At the far end keep ahead on a track, still close to the river and now with River's Wood up to the right. After emerging into a smaller meadow carry on for a further 125m to a three-way footpath signpost, merging with another path coming down from the wood (the outward route from Haywards Heath).
8. Bear left to cross a branch of the River Ouse on a wooden footbridge, leaving the SOVW but briefly joining the High Weald Landscape Trail? (HWLT). …

   As you gain height there is a view back to the railway viaduct, just over 1 km away.

9. …
10. …

If you are doing the Short Walk (omitting Ardingly village), go to §J.

5. Ardingly Reservoir to Ardingly (village) (2¼ km)
• Go along the dam wall (leaving the HWLT) and through a copse alongside the reservoir. Turn right onto a footpath going uphill to Townhouse Farm and continue along Church Lane to St Peter's church. Turn right and follow Street Lane into the centre of Ardingly.
1. Go all the way along the dam wall of the reservoir. At its eastern end go through a gate to continue through a copse, signposted as the Kingfisher Trail. Immediately after the path emerges from the trees turn right at a three-way footpath signpost (leaving the trail).
2. Go over a stile and up the right-hand side of a field. Go through a gap in the top corner and across a larger field, still climbing. At the top you come into the corner of a yard with some derelict farm buildings. Turn half-right onto the track beyond a four-way footpath signpost, initially heading NE.
3. The track soon bends left and becomes a long residential street (Church Lane), eventually coming to a churchyard on the left. If you detour through it to visit the church of St Peter? (which is usually open) you can leave via its lychgate further up the lane. Either way, go up to its T-junction with Street Lane.
4. Turn right and go along Street Lane for 1 km. In the centre of the village Fellows Bakery, the (possibly closed) Ardingly Inn and the Ardingly Café are all close together on the right-hand side of the road, just before its junction with College Road and the B2028.

   Before reaching this group there might still be an inn sign for “The Oak at Ardingly” opposite a crescent-shaped green on the left, but the village's other pub was converted into a private residence (Snowdrop Cottage) many years ago.

If you are doing the Alternative Walk (finishing at Horsted Keynes), go to §L.

6. Ardingly (village) to the Reservoir (2½ km)
• Head south-east on the B2028 for 200m, then turn right to rejoin the HWLT (in the other direction). Head south across several fields, then turn right at a path crossing. Go through Standgrove Wood and across College Road into Ardingly College. Follow the public bridleway through the school grounds. Keep right at a junction onto a footpath going past Great Saucelands, then turn left to come out onto a green space below the dam wall of Ardingly Reservoir.
1. At the end of Street Lane go straight across College Road and turn right onto the B2028, signposted to Lindfield and Haywards Heath. In 200m, shortly after passing Ardings Close on the left, turn right onto a signposted footpath along a driveway, heading back towards Ardingly Reservoir on the High Weald Landscape Trail? (HWLT).
2. At the end of the drive veer right and left to go past the back of a house and follow a short enclosed path into a field. You will be heading S across three large fields for the next 750m, with views of the South Downs ahead.
3. Go along the left-hand edge of the first field, then straight across the second (crossing a concrete track in the middle). In the third field follow a grassy path curving slightly round to the left, in 250m coming to the end of a hedge projecting into the field. Go through a gap and continue briefly along the left-hand edge of a fourth field.
4. In 75m turn right at a four-way footpath signpost onto a faint grassy path across the field, heading W. On the far side enter Standgrove Wood and follow the potentially muddy footpath straight through it, ignoring a few permissive side paths. At the end keep left through a parking area to reach a road (College Road again).
5. Cross the road carefully and take the main entrance into Ardingly College?, a public bridleway which follows the main driveway through the school grounds. After passing in front of the imposing main building follow the drive round to the left and past more school buildings, then keep right to go down a slope.
6. At the bottom follow the drive as it curves round to the right past a large pond, towards “Great Saucelands” on the far side. The drive bends left in front of this attractive house and goes across a small wooded valley.
7. About 25m before a fieldgate across the drive, turn left as indicated by a waymarker post. At the end of a short woodland path go over a stile onto the grassy area below the dam wall of Ardingly Reservoir.

If you are doing the Reservoir Ending, go to §J.

7. Ardingly Reservoir to Rowhill Lane (3½ km)
• Make your way up to the far end of the dam wall and take the footpath heading west through a small meadow and across fields on the Balcombe Estate. Turn left in front of Stone Hall and go out past Stonehall Farm to Haywards Heath Road. Cross over onto a footpath which crosses the railway on a farm bridge. Turn right to go alongside it, then down past Furland Wood and up to the B2036. Cross over and take the bridleway opposite heading west past Pilstye Farm to Rowhill Lane.
1. Go across the grass, slanting uphill to reach the top of the dam wall by the Activity Centre at the far end. Briefly retrace your outward route away from the reservoir, then immediately fork right at a Y-junction. Go through a gap in the hedge ahead and follow a grassy path across a small wildflower meadow, passing an information panel about it on the far side.
2. Go through a wooden kissing gate and follow a path through a belt of trees. Keep ahead at a path crossing and go through a small metal gate into a sloping field. Bear slightly left and follow a faint grassy path slanting gently uphill towards a metal fieldgate in the boundary hedge on the far side.
3. Go over a stile next to the fieldgate and straight across an irregularly-shaped field, aiming for the left-hand end of a wood opposite. Continue on the field edge alongside it, as indicated by a footpath signpost. In the corner go over a stile and bear slightly left across another large field, going gently downhill towards some fieldgates on its left-hand edge, 150m away.
4. Go through a wooden side gate near these fieldgates and turn right onto a farm lane. Follow this past a few cottages down to the left and through a small dip. As you continue along the tree-lined drive there is a fine view of the imposing Balcombe Place? (which you might have glimpsed earlier through gaps in the trees), 250m away to the right.
5. At a track crossing in front of the equally impressive Stone Hall? turn left as indicated, passing the buildings of Stonehall Farm away to the right. After going through a side gate and passing South Lodge you leave the Balcombe Estate between stone pillars. Keep left where the drive splits to reach a road (Haywards Heath Road).
6. Cross the road carefully onto the continuation of the footpath, going up a few steps in the bank and through a small metal gate. Follow a clear path across a field and over a plank bridge in the hedge on the far side. Turn left onto a farm track and follow it down to and across a brick bridge over the Brighton line.
7. Turn right to go all the way along the broad field margin, parallel to the railway. In the far corner follow the field edge down to the left and through a gate at the bottom. Keep right in the next field and make your way across a potentially boggy area to the exit in the corner, crossing a stream on a wide bridge.

   A dilapidated footpath signpost to the left of the bridge implies that the right of way is across a plank footbridge, but this is derelict and all but abandoned.

8. Follow a farm track through a wooded area with tall trees, then veer left up a steeply-sloping field. At the top go through a small metal gate onto the B2036. Cross this main road carefully and continue on the farm track opposite. Follow this public bridleway past some outbuildings and then down to the left as it skirts around Pilstye Farmhouse to meet a lane (Rowhill Lane) at a bend.
8. Rowhill Lane to Westup Farm (3½ km)
• Turn right and go along Rowhill Lane for 500m, then turn left onto a footpath heading west towards Spicers Farm. After passing White House turn right at a footpath junction to head north to another farm lane. Take the footpath just off to the right heading north-west across a field. Turn right at a footpath junction in Bury Wood and follow a track past Westup Farm.
1. Turn right onto this lane, with footpaths off to both sides after 150m (the outward route from Balcombe) and then a sharp right turn in a further 100m. After climbing steadily for 250m there is a large pond to the right of the lane where you turn left onto a farm track, signposted as a footpath.
2. In 400m you reach the buildings of Spicers Farm and veer right to follow the waymarked right of way through a dip in a wooded area, across a stream and then back uphill. Shortly after passing between a large house and a pond turn sharp right at a signposted path crossing onto a driveway heading N, with fields on the left and farm buildings on the right.
3. In 250m keep ahead where the driveway veers right towards a house. Follow the track as it curves round to the right into woodland, passing a wooden fieldgate on the left. In 50m veer left in front of a metal fieldgate to continue along a narrow fenced path just outside the wood, with a large field on the right.
4. At the end of the field keep ahead as indicated, following the footpath through the wood. At the far end turn right briefly onto a farm drive, then in 25m turn left through a small metal gate into a large field. Take the left-hand of two routes indicated by a footpath signpost a little way into the field, towards the left-hand end of a clump of trees 200m away.
5. Near the edge of these trees (which you will find are surrounding a large pond) a waymarker post indicates the continuation of the right of way, a clear grassy path gradually curving round to the left towards a wood 250m away. On reaching the trees go over a stile in a potentially muddy area at the end of a boundary hedge and keep ahead along the right-hand edge of a small field.
6. In the corner go over another stile (with a red High Weald Circular Walks waymarker) and along the woodland edge for 125m. Just before reaching a metal fieldgate across a farm track turn right at a three-way footpath signpost, going over a stile onto a path which runs parallel to the track.

   …

7. In 75m the path merges with the farm track, which in a further 150m swings round to the right towards the buildings of Westup Farm. After passing some large farm sheds the track zig-zags right and left and continues past two farmhouses, then a pond. As the farm lane bends right there is a three-way footpath signpost by a stile on the left.
9. Westup Farm to Balcombe Station (2¼ • 1 km)
• For the route via Balcombe village go over a stile on the left onto a footpath which joins a farm lane (Westup Road) heading north-east. After crossing the railway take a footpath on the left up to the B2036. Turn right onto the road, then fork left at a mini-roundabout to go up Haywards Heath Road to a crossroads in Balcombe village. Go via Bramble Hill and Stockcroft Road to the recreation ground and continue along its left-hand edge. Keep ahead on a tarmac path which leads into Jobes, then turn right onto Newlands. In 200m veer left down a short link path leading to the B2036 opposite the station entrance.
  • For a direct route bypassing the village, carry on along the farm lane. In 250m take a footpath on the left going down field edges to Rowhill Lane. Cross a stream and take the footpath going up steps to the B2036. Go through the station car park to Platform 1.
    

The suggested route to Balcombe station loops through the village. If you do not want to stop for refreshment you could take the direct route in [?].

1. Main route (2¼ km)

1. Veer left off the lane and go over the stile into a field, leaving the Walk 1–16 route. Make your way across the field (with no clear path) towards the tree boundary on the far side, 200m away.
2. On the far side go over a stile about 25m in from the right-hand corner onto a short path through the trees, which soon merges with a tarmac lane. Follow this in a long arc round to the right, gently downhill with fields behind the hedge on your right (and a thinly-disguised phone mast in the trees beyond them).
3. The track eventually crosses the railway line on a brick bridge and descends more steeply. At the bottom of the dip veer left at a footpath waymarker onto a grassy path climbing through scrubland, a woodland grove and the right-hand edge of a grassy slope.
4. At the top turn right onto the B2036 (London Road). You will be forking left at a mini-roundabout 50m ahead, so if possible cross this main road to use the walkway on the far side.

   If there is no break in the traffic it should be easier to cross the road after the junction, since much of the traffic also forks left.

5. Either way, go up Haywards Heath Road into Balcombe, passing a new housing development on the left. In 250m you pass the back of the Half Moon Inn, the suggested refreshment place if the coffee shop (50m away on Bramble Hill) has closed for the day.

The route described below is slightly shorter and has less road walking than the usual route down to the bottom of Bramble Hill and along Rocks Lane.

6. From the crossroads by the pub take Bramble Hill, signposted to the Railway Station. Just before reaching the JO.CO coffee shop turn left into Stockcroft Road, passing Victory Hall on the right.
7. Where the road bends left after 100m, veer right onto a tarmac path going past a bowling green and sports pavilion into the corner of Balcombe Recreation Ground.
8. Carry on down its left-hand side. In the corner continue on a tarmac path past some houses and keep ahead on a short residential street (Jobes). At the end turn right onto Newlands, curving down to the right.
9. At the end of the bend veer left across the road onto a tarmac path going down a wide gap between houses to the B2036. Cross the main road at the traffic island to the station entrance. Go down a few steps and over the footbridge onto Platform 1, for trains to London.
   

2. Direct route (1 km)

1. Carry on along the tree-lined lane, staying on the Walk 1–16 route. In 100m, where the lane curves away to the left, keep ahead on a short link path which soon merges with a farm track from the left.
2. In 75m go over a stile on the left, next to a fieldgate. Go down the right-hand side of two fields. In the bottom corner go over a stile in the tree boundary and follow a grassy path down a third field.
3. At the bottom go through a gate, past some farm sheds and out through a metal side gate onto a lane. Turn left briefly onto the lane, crossing a stream. Just after a track branches off to the right at a sharp left-hand bend turn right at a footpath signpost.
4. Go up a flight of stone steps, across a strip of grass and up more steps to reach the entrance to the station car park. Go through it onto Platform 1, for trains to London.
   
10. Ardingly Reservoir to Balcombe Mill (4 km)
• From the dam wall follow the perimeter path through a copse and around the eastern side of the reservoir. At the far end turn left onto a lane across a causeway (Balcombe Lane, which becomes West Hill on the other side). Turn left onto another section of the perimeter path and go all the way along the northern side of the reservoir. Continue through Great Burrow Wood and turn left onto Mill Lane to reach Balcombe Mill.
1. Make your way to the eastern end of the dam wall (by taking a path up the grassy slope if you have just completed the village loop). Go through a gate into a copse, joining the Kingfisher Trail. You will be following this waymarked trail all the way along the eastern and northern sides of the reservoir, so ignore the first of several paths off to the right where the perimeter path emerges from the trees.
2. In 1 km the path swings right to go up a short slope. Go out through a metal kissing gate and turn left onto a footway alongside a lane. After crossing the causeway separating two parts of the reservoir turn left through a gate onto another section of the perimeter path. Follow this alongside the northern edge of the reservoir for 2 km, again ignoring a few paths off to the right.
3. Eventually the path climbs gently through a wood and comes out onto Mill Lane. Turn left and follow the lane downhill, then round to the left where it goes between an old mill pond and the head of the reservoir. Shortly after the lane passes Balcombe Mill and curves round to the right, there is a footpath signpost on the left.
11. Balcombe Mill to Balcombe Station (2¾ • 1½ km)
• For the route via Balcombe village continue along Mill Lane, then take a footpath on the right to a corner of Balcombe Lake. Follow the footpath through a wood to the west of the lake and turn left at a path T-junction to go uphill into the village, with a pub and coffee shop for refreshment. For the suggested route to the station, go down Bramble Hill and cross the B2036 to continue on Rocks Lane. In 600m turn left onto …
  • For a direct route bypassing the village, go up steps on the left of Mill Lane. Continue alongside a wood and past a new plantation. At the end turn left onto Haywards Heath Road. In 150m turn right into Oldlands Avenue, which in 500m becomes Newlands. …
    

… [?].

1. Main route (2¾ km)

1. Carry on along the lane for a further 200m. After it has curved left and started to climb, turn right onto a signposted footpath. Go up a wooded slope, over a stile and along the right-hand edge of two fields, crossing a stream in the belt of trees between them.
2. At the end turn right briefly onto a lane, towards a corner of Balcombe Lake?. Before reaching it turn left through a metal kissing gate by a four-way footpath signpost. Go along the bottom of a small field and through a potentially muddy gap into a larger field, via a kissing gate and plank bridge over a stream if necessary.
3. Ignore a grassy path going up the slope ahead and turn right to go along the field edge. In the corner go through a kissing gate and follow the path round to the left for a short stretch alongside the picturesque lake. The path then bears left uphill and winds its way through a wooded area for 400m, crossing a few streams on plank bridges along the way.
4. Eventually you reach a T-junction with a three-way footpath signpost and turn left. Follow the path uphill past a large depression and out of the trees through a wooden gate. Keep ahead through a semi-open area (where you might have to skirt around a fallen tree) and continue up the right-hand side of a large field.
5. In the top corner go out through an old metal gate and bear right onto an unsurfaced lane. After the lane swings left you pass the Balcombe Stores and then …
6. … You soon pass the JO.CO coffee shop and carry on down to the junction with the B2036. The station entrance is 350m off to the left along the main road, but for a more scenic route cross it carefully and continue on Rocks Lane opposite.
7. This quiet lane goes downhill past a few cottages and under the railway after 300m. In a further 300m, just before a track branches off to the left and the lane bends right, turn left at a footpath signpost.
8. …

2. Direct route (1½ km)

1. Turn left at the footpath signpost to go up a long flight of steps with a sturdy wooden handrail, passing an old millstone and seat “for the enjoyment of walkers” along the way. At the top go through a metal kissing gate into the bottom corner of a field.
2. Follow the fenced path alongside a wood, ignoring a signposted bridleway into it. At the end of the wood the path continues between a wire fence and a large plantation of young trees, with a plaque for the Queen's Green Canopy?. Follow the path out to a road (Haywards Heath Road).
3. Cross the main road carefully and turn left to go along its pavement. In 150m turn right into Oldlands Avenue, an ‘unadopted road’ which is also a public footpath. In 500m this tree-lined avenue becomes Newlands, a residential street curving down to the right.
4. …
12. Ardingly (village) to Highbrook (2 km)
• Head north briefly on the B2028 and turn right onto a footpath. At Withyland keep right and cross a stream in a valley. At the top turn half-left and follow the footpath past Highbrook Vineyard into the hamlet of Highbrook. Head north on Hammingden Lane to All Saints church.
1. From the major road junction in the centre of Ardingly head N on the High Street for about 150m. Opposite Holland House (#29) turn right into a short lane signposted to 28-60 High Street.
2. At the end go through an old kissing gate next to a fieldgate and take a faint grassy path across a field (slightly to the left), soon starting a long descent into a valley. Go over a stile in a belt of trees and continue down the right-hand edge of the next field. In the bottom corner go over another stile into a wood and follow the path down alongside a garden fence.
3. At the start of an open area fork right at a three-way footpath signpost, then keep ahead at another one, ignoring a footpath off to the right. Go along the right-hand side of a grassy strip, gently downhill towards a wood. Go into these trees and across a stream, then uphill on a narrow path at the edge of the wood.
4. At the top of the wood go through an old gate and keep ahead on a broad grassy path, soon alongside a young hedge between wire fences. Follow the footpath as it turns half-left, going through a metal fieldgate and now with high hedges on both sides.
5. At the far end go through another fieldgate and keep ahead, passing a gate leading into Highbrook Vineyard? on the right and a modern barn on the left. Briefly join a surfaced driveway, then opposite a large new house turn left as indicated. Cross a ditch on a plank bridge and follow an enclosed grassy path towards the spire of Highbrook church.
6. At the far end go through a new wooden gate and turn right to go diagonally across a grassy enclosure. In the opposite corner go over a stile and turn left. Go over a stile next to a new wooden fieldgate and keep ahead on Hammingden Lane, through the hamlet of Highbrook.
13. Highbrook to Leamland Wood Bridge (2 km)
• At the church turn right onto the footpath heading east across a valley and up to the Bluebell Railway line. Turn right onto the footpath running alongside the track, then round a short loop onto Leamland Wood Bridge.
1. In front of the lychgate for All Saints? church turn right onto a broad track, signposted as a footpath and immediately going past an unusual building on the right, Highbrook Smokery?. Keep left alongside the churchyard and continue between hedges for 300m, heading E with fine views ahead as you gently descend into a valley.
2. The track eventually opens out and you carry on downhill near the edge of several large fields, always with a hedge on your left. In the bottom left-hand corner of the last field go through a metal fieldgate onto a path through a small wood, curving round to the right. After crossing a stream on a wooden footbridge go up earth steps and leave the wood over a stile. Follow a grassy path slightly to the left across a field, climbing steadily.
3. At the top go over a stile in the fence and follow the signposted route ahead between fences. Go over another stile in the trees on the far side to come out in front of a level crossing over the single-track Bluebell Railway?. Do not cross the track but turn right onto a footpath running along the railway embankment, with fine views on both sides.
4. In 500m you can see Leamland Wood Bridge over the railway ahead, but you have to take a circuitous route to reach it: over a stile on the right and through a small plantation, round to the left along a short enclosed path and then up a track curving round to the right. At the top turn left to go over the bridge, with a view of Horsted Keynes station? off to the right.
14. Leamland Wood Bridge to Horsted Keynes (village) (2¼ km)
• To finish in the village, veer left at the top of the slope overlooking the picnic area and take the footpath alongside Leamland Wood to Cinder Hill Lane. Turn right briefly onto the road, then take the footpath on the left down through a wood to Mill Lake. Keep ahead at a path crossing to go along the valley floor and turn right up Church Road to the village green.
  • Alternatively, simply go down past the Bluebell Railway station to the bus stop at the end of its approach road.
    
1. On the other side of the bridge veer right through a small parking area onto a track, then veer left as indicated to cross a short plank bridge into a field. Follow a grassy path diagonally across it and go out through a gate onto a track overlooking a sloping field, with the visitors' car park for the Bluebell Railway station at the bottom.
   • At weekends the 270 bus calls at the station. If you want to cut the walk short (or take a closer look at the heritage railway), go down the slope and past the right-hand side of the car park onto a short access road leading to the station buildings. The bus stop is at the far end of the station approach road.
2. To finish in the village turn left onto the track and go through a gate onto an enclosed path heading E alongside Leamland Wood. You used to be able to stay on this path all the way to Cinder Hill Lane, but after 200m you now have to go over a stile in the fence on the left to follow a grassy strip between the fence and paddocks; in a further 200m another stile takes you back over the fence.
3. Take care as you go down an earth bank as it comes out directly onto the lane. Turn right and go along it for 100m, then turn left onto a signposted footpath. Follow the path through a strip of grassland dotted with trees, then steadily downhill through a wood. At the bottom turn right at a three-way footpath signpost onto a grassy path. This curves gently to the left around Mill Lake? and comes to a path crossing.
   • If you want to detour to St Giles church, turn left and follow the path past the picturesque Old Mill House and up through a wood to the village school and church. After visiting the church, go along Church Lane towards the main part of the village and resume the directions at [?].
4. For the most direct route into the village, keep ahead at the crosspaths and follow the footpath through the trees, heading SE. In 150m you pass a pond on your left and continue on a fenced grassy path along the valley floor, between paddocks and a meadow. At the far end go out between houses and turn right onto Church Lane (away from the church, up on the left).
5. Follow the lane uphill, passing the imposing gates to the Old Rectory on the left. At a road junction the suggested route is to follow Church Lane round to the left to come out by the village stores in Horsted Keynes?, with the Crown Inn? on the other side of the road and the long village green.
   • Alternatively, you can go straight ahead up the steep little path. The bus stop for Haywards Heath is off to the right on the other side of the main road, but you should veer left at the top of the path (as indicated) to a safer crossing point.
6. To complete the walk turn right at the top of Church Lane (or left if leaving the Crown) and go along the green, passing the Green Man and the stop for buses to East Grinstead on the right. Buses for Haywards Heath leave from a stop just beyond the road junction at the western end of the green.

At Haywards Heath alight at the Perrymount Road stop, just past a roundabout and opposite a large Waitrose store. Cross Perrymount Road at the roundabout and go past the store (which has a café) on your left to reach the station entrance.


Walk Notes

1. The small roadside garden on Burrells Road was established in 2013 to commemorate the outbreak of World War Ⅰ.
2. The Sussex Ouse Valley Way runs for 68 km, closely following the course of the River Ouse from its source in Lower Beeding to Seaford.
3. The Ouse Valley Railway was a ‘spoiler’ operation by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway, which wanted to keep rivals out of its territory. It would have linked the Brighton line to St Leonards (near Hastings) via Uckfield and Hailsham. Shortly after work began in 1866 the collapse of the bank financing its construction led to the project being abandoned.
4. The High Weald Landscape Trail runs for 145 km across the length of the High Weald, mostly near its northern edge, from Horsham in West Sussex to Rye.
5. The Ardingly branch connected the Bluebell line with the Brighton main line at Haywards Heath. The intermediate station at Ardingly (2 km south of the village, on College Road) was popular with ramblers and often the destination for special trains. The short section from its old goods yard to the Brighton line is still used by freight trains.
6. The Ouse Valley Viaduct was opened in 1841 and carries the Brighton main line 450m across this wide valley, 29m above the river. Its 37 brick arches are topped with a stone balustrade and four decorative pavilions at each end, making it one of the most elegant railway structures in Britain. It is listed Grade Ⅱ*.
7. The 198-acre Ardingly Reservoir is a popular venue for fishing and watersports such as sailing, canoeing and windsurfing.
8. St Peter, Ardingly dates from around 1330, with the tower added in the early 15^thC. The village later developed around the main road to the east, leaving the church on the outskirts.
9. Ardingly College is a fee-paying independent school, catering for around 750 pupils from 2½ to 18. It was founded by Canon Nathaniel Woodward in Shoreham-by-Sea in 1858 and moved to these new buildings in 1870 (with an inaugural sermon from “Soapy Sam” Wilberforce). Now one of a group of Woodward Schools, it retains a strong Anglo-Catholic tradition.
10. The imposing Balcombe Place was built in 1856 in ‘mock Tudor’ style. It was originally the home of Lord Denman, then the Headquarters of the Women's Land Army in WW Ⅱ. It was fully restored in the 21^stC and is now an exclusive events venue. It is listed Grade Ⅱ*.
11. Stone Hall was built in the late 17^thC as the dower-house for the Balcombe Place estate. It is listed Grade Ⅰ.
12. Balcombe Lake and Mill Lake were created to supply water for the local mills. Both are now popular fishing ponds.
13. The Queen's Green Canopy plaque commemorates a plantation of several hundred young trees planted for Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
14. Highbrook Vineyard expected to produce its first harvest in 2023, making sparkling wine from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes.
15. All Saints, Highbrook was built in 1884, mainly using local sandstone. The tower used to have a carillon mechanism which played tunes on the church bells, but this has reportedly been removed to a museum.
16. Highbrook Smokery was built around 1780 to preserve meat from pigs brought into the Weald to feed on acorns in autumn. The building was restored in 2009.
17. The Bluebell Railway began operating a steam railway between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes in 1960, just two years after British Rail closed the line from East Grinstead to Lewes. It was extended north as far as Kingscote in 1994, and to East Grinstead in 2013 after a major project to clear a cutting of landfill waste.
18. Horsted Keynes Station has been restored to the Southern Railway period in the mid-1920s. It is surprisingly large for a sleepy country station on a secondary line, some way from the village it was built to serve. There is a £3 admission charge for non-travellers when trains are running, rather more than the 1d platform ticket in 1935.
19. The name Horsted means ‘a place where horses are kept’. The Saxon manor was given to the Norman knight Ralf de Cahaignes by William the Conqueror. The anglicized version of his name changed over the centuries to Keynes but the pronunciation stayed as canes, not keens.
20. The Crown Inn was seriously damaged by fire after being struck by lightning in 2003, and was closed for six years.

» Last updated: July 14, 2026

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