18 on a bright blustery day. Clouds scudded across the sky but did not rain on us.There was plenty of sunshine and it was good to have woods and shaded paths to keep us cool. There were lots of unmown fields and dense vegetation on paths but those wearing shorts had only a few minor scratches at the end. Most picnicked in the churchyard in Burwash. Four dined at the Rose and Crown and were joined by others for drinks. They subsequently stopped at the Wheel for a drink as it too was a Harvey's pub and had to be visited. We met a woman who told us that Burwash is a dark sky area and glow worms can be seen at night. One or possibly two visited Batemans. Seven hurried on and caught the 16.17 train. Eight caught the 17.18.

Intend going.

A really enjoyable walk. We ( 2 ) reached the Rose & Crown just before noon for a leisurely Christmas lunch. Arrived at Robertsbridge around 4pm accompanied by a slight drizzle (the weather having been calm and overcast most of the day) to enjoy a couple of Christmas drinks before our journey back to London. An excellent start to the Christmas and New Year break.

It looks like the Wheel Inn at Burwash Weald has gone and got itself a new address ... https://www.thewheelinnburwash.org/

Beware train cancellations due to staff being pinged by the NHS app. It happened quite a lot today, Friday.

10:05 from Charing X (10:14 at London Bridge) is still scheduled (as of 08:40) fingers crossed :-)

3 of us decided to go to Robertsbridge from Burwash after lunch as we knew that we could get a drink there whilst waiting for the train. One train an hour.

Our route was planned to be 6 km but allowing for getting lost let us say 7km

The extra km meant that two of us filled our boots when crossing a stream, TWICE, and the third person in his size 10 hobnail boots had no trouble at all and it was he who said 'It isn't deep, you will have no trouble at all on this' and on the second crossing 'This one is even shallower'

What happened to once bitten twice shy?

We were slower than an M Tigers pace as it took 2hours 50 minutes to do the 6k. Getting old

But the swift drink in the pub at the station was most worthwhile

We passed a sculpture of Rudyard Kipling sitting on a bench at some point and someone had left a note saying 'Time you got your clothes pressed mate'. It was a very rumpled-looking suit.

Another wag had put a subsequent note saying 'And time you cast off your self-righteous racism mate'

Bugger I should have taken a pic

20 on a hot sunny day. An enjoyable walk. Largely firm underfoot, with occasional patches of quickmud to trap the unwary. As well as its flurry of variants, this walk seems to undergo frequent route changes. Most recently due to work on the railway. It didn’t help that, after the disembodied door and leg, I opted to follow a group of GPS-ers who ‘knew where they were going’. They didn’t. Would you believe we entered Burwash through the opposite end of town? However, the scenery was still beautiful so I have decided not to lodge an official complaint. We managed to find the Rose and Crown alright, though. There, the intended one pint of cider quickly turned into two. Fellow-imbibers will attest this was entirely due to the staff’s hard-sell techniques and not any proclivity on my part. Concerns this would have a deleterious effect on the afternoon’s navigation were unfounded. If anything, it improved.

Although I made a detour after lunch for the view from the churchyard, and the smugglers graves, I too neglected to take a pic of the Kipling statue. I do blame the cider for that.

In the afternoon , what appeared to be another disembodied sculpture turned out to be two of our number asleep in the grass. At least I think they were asleep.

And so on to Stonegate, without incident, having accidentally, and perhaps fortuitously, avoided the Wheel . (I heard later of one who spent longer than intended there). I took the “northeast route” to avoid any more of the muddy bridleway. It works fine.

Just to add to Mr T's missive, it was indeed a delightful day out under a cloudless sky with a welcome waft of air now and again. Many thanks to Brian for deputising and providing us all with some local knowledge at the start of the walk.

During the morning the three back "markers" dallied taking photo opportunities at the newly replaced surreal door and leg before crossing the railway line and slipping through a field of golden corn. Concern at Mr T's undone shoelace and a "technical" discussion on "non-relational databases" meant the GPSers took their eyes off the route track and got yellow cards for deviation. However the group seamlessly (well there was a bit of mud involved) merged into the "green" route allowing them to savour the delights of Burwash High Street, but as Mr. T. alludes, loosing VDT (valuable drinking time).

Many assembled at St. Bartholemew's Church Yard for a picnic shielded from the sun by a well placed yew tree. Here, two senior walkers planned to visit Batemans and then take a cab back to Stonegate. But with no cabs on offer untill 4pm, they switched to plan "B", a hastily devised 7km shortened stroll to Robertsbridge (in case the train service went pear shaped). This turned out to traverse some stunning meadow and woodland (although there was some walking on quiet country lanes). The Ostrich (adjacent to Robertsbridge railway station) was open as if in a 1980's time-warp and provided thirst quenchers, before they caught the delayed 5:14 back to the Great Yen (don't get me started on the train journey!)

Tied laces are so “last-year”

22 on a balmy sunny day. Cinderella weather - not too hot, not too cold. There was another group too, walking independent of us. The walk was quite pretty. Plenty of big trees. The directions could maybe do with a revamp. There was scratching of heads in places. And it wasn’t nits. Mr Tiger can’t comment, he was trying to follow the book, and not very successfully, though this may have been due to keeping up with the others for once. The Rose and Crown was fine.

I am interested in the main, shorter walk if anyone else is.

~Karen

https://www.facebook.com/wheelinnburwash/

5 alighted from the train to be met by one driver plus a dog, making for 6 huddling in a shelter on the train platform during a heavyish shower discussing the options for the day. This ended up being a girls day out with one opting for the traditional route and 5 donning their Dora the Explorer caps to tackle the extension route in reverse....and, boy, was it an adventure...

As it happens, this wild and wonderfully weird corner of the weald is not only seldom visited by the SWC -- but seemingly rarely visited AT ALL. We saw almost no one en route and most of the paths were hardly discernible with little or no obvious markings (in fact, in one place, we had to improvise, as the footpath seems to have vanished)..needless to say, this made for some challenging navigation at times....

But, we were amply rewarded for our efforts....Within the first hour, we spotted a group deer in Wadhurst Park...including a white one (a sign of things to come, perhaps). This was the first of about 7 (yes, seven) deer sightings along the route...Next came the gorgeous exotic curly-haired pigs (admittedly in a garden we had inadvertently wandered into) -- one of the party ventured a bit too close and received a good nip from one of the pigs....fortunately, the finger remained intact...

Back on piste (after climbing a gate), another small group or two of deer were spotted in the woods; then out on a hillside enjoying the view we came across a largish herd of longhorn cattle (with rather long horns) that we carefully skirted before safely enjoying our picnics in the next field also with a great view...

After lunch, a few more deer sightings; then, of course, the white squirrel (yes, white) -- just what you would expect to see climbing a tree in the weald....A bit further on, we were pulled off-piste watching a small group of what appeared to be muntjac deer in a clearing, including a very little one frolicking in the long grass....adorable...Regaining the route (after climbing one gate and one fence), we encountered a few more small groups of deer; then, in the last valley before starting the ascent to Burwash Weald, we came across a rather large herd of deer grazing in long grass, as they moved on away from us, a small fawn came into view who bounced and sprung in the most acrobatic manner to catch-up with the rest of the herd....a really magical moment....

We eventually did arrive in Burwash Weald about 17:15 where one stalwart opted to head straight to the station for the 18:23; whereas the other 4 stopped for various refreshing drinks in the garden of The Wheel pub. We set off at 17:45 and easily made the 19:23, enjoying a leisurely evening stroll in, by now, sunny conditions ....spotting some bunnies and a bonafide country fox along the way...

Quite a day out, I think all agreed they got their money's worth out of this SWC outing.....I would certainly recommend this twist on the Stonegate Circular (lovely views and vistas through out) and would happily do it again -- but it would probably be better to take the 8:55 train to give yourself more time to enjoy the immense wildlife encountered in this wild corner of the weald....

Going.

3 walkers today in sub zero winds with grey skies and light snow in the afternoon. This was the muddiest walk I've ever been on, and I've got the boots to prove it.Even the green pasture on the hilltops was completely sodden and felt like a wet sponge.

In two different large fields, an over population of horses being kept outdoors all winter, has reduced the land to a quagmire, forcing us out on the nearest road.

A large but unsociable group of younger walkers stormed off the train in front of us, took a wrong turning after 200m, and then followed us all the way to lunch.

We eat sandwiches in the porch of Burwash church, then sped onwards to catch the 1623 home. Joe.

3 very cold with some snow

At the risk of seeing "splittist" I plan to do the morning of this walk, the switch to the afternoon of SWC Walk 112 (Stonegate to Robertsbridge) to walk to Robertsbridge.

If anyone wants to join me, they are welcome. This afternoon route is very pretty at this time of year - it is a favourite April walk of mine - and is only marginally longer than the Stonegate circular at 16.4km/10.2 miles. However, it is not any part of my agenda to dissuade anyone from the Stonegate ending, which is also very nice.

If you want to join me, buy a day return to Robertsbridge: directions here

https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walk/stonegate-to-robertsbridge/SWC_Walk_112_Stonegate_to_Robertsbridge.pdf

(You still need the book 2 directions for the morning route, as the morning route of SWC 112 is a bit different)

Departs 10:23 from London Bridge if that suits better

39 on this walk - a gorgeous day out on a day of gorgeous sunshine . With spring bursting out all over, bright green leaves, lambs In the field and pure blue skies, what greater happiness could one ask for?

At least a dozen sandwichers enjoyed a heartstopping view over the valley at Burwash. The rest of us went to the Rose and Crown (sitting outside, of course). They grumbled a bit about the influx but in truth were not hugely busy otherwise and produced dishes at a brisk rate.

After lunch many opted to go on to Robertsbridge. Some may have gone to Batemans. The nine of us in the rear dawdled shamelessly looking at flowers and trees. There were early purple orchids and wild cherry blossom and cuckoo flower and primroses. Lots and lots orange tip butterflies and some holly blues too. Towards the end of the walk there was a bluebell wood that had definitely reached the "blue fuzz" stage. Blackbirds and chaffinches and chiffchaffs and nuthatches sang.

Unlike many pubs, the Ostrich in Robertsbridge produced tea in mugs speedily and had nice beer. Then a dozy golden train ride home, wondering if it had all been just a dream.

39

Intend going.

might do this

is anyone doing this walk please?

Yes intend going and will will do the the standard route back to Stonegate total 10 km 6.2 miles

Sorry please ignore last post, grandchild minding crisis so not able to join you today

4 people on this walk through pretty countryside in a part of Sussex that has a remote feel. We didn't catch up with our walk checker after our lunch time split though I think the remaining three ended up doing the main walk, about 9 miles. Lunch in the Rose and Crown was very pleasant, a lovely old pub and a good menu. We skirted by Batemans which looked particularly beautiful in the winter air.

4

Intend going on the long walk option (Lunch at The Wheel Inn, Burwash Weald.)

The shorter one for me, I think.

Shorter option will be fine for me unless i get called in to work

12 embarked on this High Weald excursion in dry warm and humid conditions. The group split in Burwash on account of the majority doing 'just' the normal distance and lunching there, while 5 continued to Burwash Weald for lunch. Beautiful outing with plenty of wide wooded valleys, fantastic vistas, endless wildflower meadows and hardly a soul in sight. Indeed on the extension from the lunch pub, all 19 km of it, we didn't meet a single person! Hard work as well on account of knee high grass in those lovely meadows, and slippery paths in the many woods. Characterful woods at that. Lots of streams as well. Perfect mix. 20.23 train for the extenders.

The shorter walk walkers enjoyed an excellent lunch in the pub garden in warm conditions. Just as well as the ceiling around the bar collapsed due to workmen installing a wardrobe in the bedroom above. The afternoon was really fine apart from the Bridleway section which was ankle deep in liquid mud. DAC has confirmed that there is an alternative which he hopes to replace this section for future publication.

15 for this walk, with another 2 joining us for lunch. sunny with slight breeze . Dry underfoot with only the slightest hint of mud in what would have been the worstest stretches. Some ate at the Rose and Crown. Cant tell you how it was. I don’t think I saw any food pass anyone’s lips. I’m a bit slow, see. The Bell is still shut. As is the later Wheel, still mentioned as a tea stop in the walk notes. No sign of it reopening though the “Under refurbishment” sign is now replaced by a “To Let” sign. Posters should note that, with the possible exception of a farm shop near the station, there are no opportunities for refreshment after Burwash. I think this was a disappointment to some. Plenty of wild flowers to delight the eye. 3 visited Batemans and were never seen again (spooky music).