Haywards Heath Walks
This walk from Haywards Heath visits two of the highlights of the area at Ardingly Reservoir and Wakehurst Place. The walk uses a section of the High Weald Landscape Trail to take you to the lovely lake and the wonderful Botanic Gardens.
The walk starts in the town centre, near to the train station. From here you head north, passing the golf course before coming to Copyhold Lane. Here you pick up the High Weald Landscape Trail which continues north through River's Wood to Ardingly Reservoir. The 198 acre reservoir is also a nature reserve with a variety of habitats including wetland, reedbed, deciduous woodland, hazel coppice and haymeadow. You can look out for wildlife such as Great crested grebe and kingfishers in this area. There's a nice footpath running along the eastern side of the water which will lead you up to Wakehurst Place which is the country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. There are 465 acres to explore on a series of delightful footpaths. Features include beautiful botanic gardens, woodland, lakes, formal gardens and an Elizabethan house. After exploring the park, the walk returns to Haywards Heath on the same paths.
To continue your walking in the area you could pick up the Sussex Border Path, just to the east of the reservoir at the village of Horsted Keynes. This will lead you north to the attractive Weir Wood Reservoir which has a nice trail running around the perimeter.
Other walking highlights near the town include the delightful gardens at Sheffield Park and Nymans Gardens. There's also the long distance Diamond Way and Brighton Way running through the town too. The latter will take you onto the beautiful South Downs which is not far from the town.
Haywards Heath Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Haywards Heath Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Haywards Heath OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Haywards Heath Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Haywards Heath
- Ardingly Reservoir - This 198 acre reservoir and nature reserve has a lovely waterside walking path ideal for an easy stroll
- High Weald Landscape Trail - Explore the High Weald AONB on this fabulous 90 mile walk that links the ridge-top villages and historic gardens for which the area is famous
- Wakehurst Place - Located in Haywards Heath, Wakehurst is the country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Weir Wood Reservoir - This 280 acre reservoir has a super circular walking path to try
- Sussex Border Path - A fabulous long distance walk following the Sussex county border from Thorney Island in West Sussex to Rye in East Sussex
- Nymans Gardens - Explore the gardens and woodland walk of this delightful estate on this short route in Handcross, near Haywards Heath
- Sheffield Park - Explore the beautiful Sheffield Park and Gardens on this circular walk near Haywards Heath in Sussex
- Brighton Way - A super route though the South Downs from Horley to Brighton
- Diamond Way - This is a fairly easy walk from West to East Sussex through heathland, farmland and forest
- Chailey Common - This pretty area of common land near Haywards Heath has a series of nice footpaths to try
- Lindfield - This attractive Sussex based village has a lovely large village pond and an historic High Street.
- Cuckfield - This pretty Mid Sussex based village is close to some fine High Weald countryside walking.
- Bolney - This attractive West Sussex village is located close to Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath
- Bedelands Nature Reserve - This walk visits the Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.
Pubs/Cafes
In nearby Danehill there's the Coach and Horses (Postcode:RH17 7JF). The family run, traditional pub is located in the heart of the Sussex countryside and has a great menu and lovely beer garden to relax in.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
In nearby Bolney you could pay a visit to the impressive Bolney Wine Estate. Here you can enjoy guided tours of the vineyard and learn all about the history of the wine making process. The pretty village also includes a noteworthy 12th century church, several listed buildings and the well known Bolney Stage pub which is hundreds of years old.
Just to the south there's the Bedelands Nature Reserve to explore. The wildlife rich reserve includes bluebell woodland, wildflower meadows, grazed meadows, a lake and a waterfall.
For more walking ideas in the area see the High Weald Walks page.
Photos
Commercial Square
River Ouse
Ardingly Reservoir 1
Ardingly Reservoir 2
Wakehurst Place Gardens
Wakehurst Place seen from the lower lawn