Book 2 Walk 18: Wadhurst Circular (or long walk to Robertsbridge) t=2.18

Distance: Something for everyone:

Main walk: 11.8 miles/ 19.0 km

Short Walk: 6.2 miles/ 10.0 km

Long walk to Robertsbridge: 21.4 miles/ 34.5 km

Difficulty: 4 out of 10

Train: Take the 9:15 AM Southeastern Hastings bound train from London Charing Cross (9:18 Waterloo East; 9:24 London Bridge; 9:40 Orpington) to Wadhurst, arriving 10:19. Return trains from Wadhust are on the hour and 29 minutes past the hour and from Robertsbridge at 14 and 44 past the hour. Buy a day return to Wadhurst – unless walking to Robertsbridge, in which case, Robertsbridge.

This is a lovely high weald walk through rolling hills with lots of woods which should be showing some nice color…hopefully before becoming too muddy……There are at least three options – the main route, plus a long and a short option…..More information and the walk instructions can be found here.

There ae plenty of places along the route for a picnic….

Enjoy the walk!

Length: 20.8km (12.9 miles) - 17.6km (11 miles) to Wadhurst village, from where a bus is possible (These distances are based on the GPX file rather than the length stated in the walk directions).
Toughness: 5 or 6 out of 10 depending on mud T=2.18

9.45 train from Charing Cross (9.48 Waterloo East, 9.54 London Bridge) to Wadhurst, arriving 10.47

For walk directions click here. For GPX click here.

This walk (which after a very short bit at the start, goes off in a completely different direction from the Wadhurst to Tunbridge walk last week) is chosen to coincide with the Wadhurst Bonfire, which has proved a perfect event over the years. It is large enough to have a great big blazing bonfire (with only minimal safety barriers, so you can stand as close to it as you can bear - your last sunbathe of the year) and a firework display to match any urban one. But it is also local/remote enough to not get too crowded. You can buy tickets (£5.00) in the Co-op and Jempsons supermarket, the White Hart and Wadhurst Ironmongers: buying on the day has never so far been a problem. The site opens at 5.30pm, the bonfire is lit at 6.30pm and the fireworks start at 7.30pm. There are refreshment tents with beer, burgers etc

Otherwise this walk gives you an idea of what the medieval forest of the Weald must have been like - lots of woods, some clearings, the landscape of fairy tales. It should be the ideal place to see whatever autumn colour is available.

The terrain might be muddy - the Weald gets very gloopy in winter. But it is not winter yet, and it will depend on how much rain we have had. Also at this time of year (here's the science bit) the un-rotted fallen leaves help to counteract any softness in the ground. Don't wear open-toed sandals, however.

There are two pubs in Mayfield for lunch: I don't know which is considered better. In Wadhurst, Jempson's Cafe has closed and only the superhuman will get to the Wholefoods Cafe before it stops taking orders at 4pm. I would not rely on the Cottage Tea Room being open either, though it may be. The Greyhound pub will be busy with Bonfire goers (see below) so may not be in the mood to do hot drinks: the White Hart may be a better bet. Wadhurst also has a small supermarket or two if you want to buy sugary snacks.

Trains back from Wadhurst station go at 29 and 59 past the hour until 7.29pm and then hourly until 10.29pm.

It is 3.2km (2 miles) from village to station via the main walk route, which goes down pretty back lanes - allow an hour for this to be comfortable, though speedy types might do it in 45 minutes. Alternatively you can walk 2.2km (1.4 miles) down the main road (pavement all the way, traffic: much less romantic) - 30-40 minutes walking time.

Those not staying for the Bonfire might also want to use the 254 bus from Wadhurst, which cuts out this last section of the walk altogether (reducing it to 16.6km/9.8 miles): this goes from outside the Greyhound (same side of the road) at 5.04 and 6.04pm, taking six minutes to Wadhurst station or 22 minutes to Tunbridge Wells (stopping right by the station there: trains to London every 15 mins).

Those staying for the Bonfire will be aiming for the 9.29pm train. Recommended here is the very atmospheric walk down the back lanes (ie the main walk route) in the dark, for which it is best to leave an hour. To allow for the small crush getting out of the Bonfire site, leave not long after the fireworks finish. If darkness is not your thing, the main road route is reasonably well lit, as far as I can remember.

t=2.18

Length: 19km (12m)
Toughness: 4 / 10
Transport: Take the 9:30 from London Charing Cross arriving in Wadhurst at 10:48. Return trains from Wadhurst are at 16:00, 16:29, 17:00, 17:29, 17:59, 18:29, 18:59, 19:29, 20:29, 21:29

This is a lovely walk in the Weald with lunch in a cosy pub in a charming village. At the end of the walk the quaint Wealden Wholefoods Shop & Cafe in Wadhurst provides tea and cakes until 16:30 or alternatively there are the White Hart and Greyhound Inn pubs. From there it is another 3km to the station so you should leave Wadhurst about 45-60 mins before train departure.

CW2 18 Wadhurst circular
Length: 19 km (11.8 miles).
Toughness: 4/10

Catch the 9:15 from London Charing Cross (Waterloo East 9:18 London Bridge 9:24) arrives Wadhurst 10:19.

Longer walk option: Wadhurst to Robertsbridge 34.5 km (21.4 miles). After leaving the shorter Wadhurst walk, this longer walk heads north to go around the Northern side of Bewl Water, to follow the peaceful Sussex Border path, with a potential drop out point at Etchingham (cuts 4.5km) and into Robertsbridge. Walking at a faster pace allow 8 hours for the 34km walk. Although likely to finish in the dark the last 5km are straightforward for those used to night time walking. Bring a torch.

Buy a day return to Robertsbridge for this longer walk option.

Return trains from Wadhurst xx:00 xx:29 17:59 xx:29 xx:59 19:29 xx:29 until 22:29

Return trains from Robertsbridge xx:14 xx:44 19:14 xx:14 until 22:14 T=2.18

Book 2 Walk 18: Wadhurst Circular

Length: 19 km (11.8 miles) (Probably understated - nearer 21 km - 13 miles)
Toughnesss: 4 out of 10 (Very understated - per my scale, a minimum of 6 out of 10 in good weather)

London Charing Cross: 10-15 hrs Hastings service Waterloo East 10-18, London Bridge 10-23 hrs
Arrive Wadhurst: 11-19 hrs

Return: 16-00, 16-25 (changing at R.T.W), 16-58, 17-24, 17-59 and 18-29 hrs


This might be the first mid-week posting of this walk, a lengthy hike through the unspoiled countryside of the High Weald. It's a good time of year to do this walk as it can be very muddy and hard going in winter. Please note the walk length and toughness rating are both understated per my own notes and unofficial records. You need to maintain a good, steady - but not fast - pace to get to the pub in Mayfield in time for lunch. This pub was good the last time I paid it a visit, but that was some time ago. As was the Carpenter's Arms further into the village which, alas, closed down in 2014. Your lunch stop The Rose and Crown, No bad thing to 'phone ahead with numbers; 01435-872200.
After lunch do wander around Mayfield, an interesting village, and visit its historic church, St Dunstans. Then continuing on your walk, you head for Wadhurst Park, with its herds of deer, and then proceed to the village of Wadhurst, where you can stop for tea. It's a hike from the village to the railway station- the Directions give you two options for this homeward leg. The Wag's response to the query "Why is Wadhurst's railway station sited so far out of Town ?" is it was considered more useful to site the station beside the railway line.
T=2.18
Walk Directions here L=2.18

Wadhurst Circular or Wadhurst to Stonegate Book 2 Walk 18
19 km 11.8 miles / 16 km 9.9 ml/ 10 km 6.2 ml
Difficulty 4 out of 10
South through the unspoilt countryside of the High Weald to a pub in Mayfield, a village with many attractive old buildings and a listed 15th century church. You pass through Wadhurst Park, home to a herd of deer, some of which are almost white.
For a shorter option, with no tea stop, follow the Stonegate ending from point 7.
(or... even shorter, the 6.2 mile circular that cuts out Mayfield).
Trains:
09:55 Hastings train from Charing Cross (London Bridge 10:03) arrive 11:01
Trains return from Wadhurst xx:29 and xx:00
Trains return from Stonegate xx:23
Get a return to Wadhurst for the circular. You need a return to Stonegate, the further stop, to finish there.
Lunch:
The Rose and Crown in Mayfield 01435 872200. Phoning advised.
Alternatively The Middle House 400m east up Fletching Street into the village.
Tea:
Two options in Wadhurst. You encounter the White Hart first on a corner to your right. If you turn right along that road, the High Street, you soon reach The Greyhound 01892 783224. This is said to be better for tea because it is served in pots. It's a bit of a walk to the station from Wadhurst. Allow 40-50 mins for the recommended route, 25-35 along the road.
Stonegate is devoid of facilities, just sheep, a few cows and a station (though a farm shop on Station Road sells cold drinks, if it's open).
Directions: Book 2 or here.
T=2.18

CW2 Walk 18 option - Etchingham to Robertsbridge
Length: 25 km (15.5 miles). Toughness: 4/10
Catch the 10:15 from Charing Cross (Waterloo East: 10:18 - does not stop at London Bridge) arrives Etchingham 11:30.
Buy a day return to Robertsbridge.
Return from Robertsbridge 18:14 18:44 xx:14 until 22:14
Cutting it short to Etchingham 21.5km (13.4 miles)

This walk (as Etchingham circular) has had 3 outings as a midweek day walk over the past years, but never as a weekend walk. Perhaps this is due to the fact that it is a "lost walk" - buried away as as a downloadable option for CW2 Walk 18 Wadhurst Circular, and titled "Wadhurst to Robertsbridge Long Walk Option". However within the document is a start from Etchingham station with the option to finish at Robertsbridge or an earlier finish at Etchingham - now with a refreshment stop.

The directions for the whole walk (Robertsbridge or Etchingham finish) are contained within the Wadhurst to Roberstbridge Long Walk Option.pdf * Only downside is a fairly early lunch stop after 7km at The Bull Inn, Three Leg Cross. Thereafter apart from a petrol station convenience store close to the crossing of an A road, nothing until your arrival at Robertsbridge or Etchingham.

*Only necessary to print out pages 6-12. An alternative shorter route: skirt along the south side of Bewl Water and head back to Wadhurst. You can use SWC Walk 208 for directions.

Book 2 walk 18 - Wadhurst Circular
Length: 21.3km (13.2 miles) - according to the GPX file: distance given in the walk document is wrong!
Toughness: 7 out of 10 (again, the book is not correct!)

9.48 train from Cannon Street (9.53 London Bridge, 10.09 Orpington) to Wadhurst, arriving 10.47.

For walk directions click here - or bring book two, but the online directions are more up to date.

It is tough to pick a walk for this second (and possibly last) of the good bluebell weekends. So many contend for the honour, and some, alas, have already been snaffled by rival walking clubs.

This walk is a hoary old stalwart, but has not, if the database is correct, had an outing in its full form since the summer of 2013. The Where to Find Flowers page says it has good bluebell displays around Mayfield and I wrote that, so it must be correct.

The Weald is also a great place to be at this time in spring. This is a fairly woody walk (at times it feels like you are in one of those green jars used to grow ferns) so there is a good chance of other woodland flowers such as wild garlic. Verge flowers are usually also good in this part of the world. If anyone is interested there is also a very rare flower called coralroot (it looks like cuckoo flower, but has different leaves) which grows only here and in the Chilterns and should now be in flower.

Lunch (if anyone can think of such things amidst such floral splendour) seems to be at the Rose & Crown pub, though The Middle House has had its adherents in the past. For tea, if you get to the Wealden Wholefoods Cafe before it shuts at 4.30pm (last orders 4pm) you are a bit of a superperson, but you may just find the Cottage Tea Rooms open (shuts about 5pm or possibly after). Otherwise the Greyhound (not the White Hart as stated) is the best pub in Wadhurst for tea.

The walk from Wadhurst down the back lanes to the station is recommended and takes about 40-50 minutes. Going down the main road shaves 15 minutes off this but is much less pleasant.

Trains back from Wadhurst are at 29 and 59 past till 19.29 and then hourly at 29 past to 22.29