Heathfield Walks
This East Sussex market town is in a good location for exploring the woods and countryside of the High Weald. The impressive country views of the local area inspired painter Joseph Mallord William Turner to paint The Vale of Heathfield which now hangs in the Tate Gallery.
This circular walk from the town visits Old Heathfield, Heathfield Park and St Dunstan's Wood.
The walk starts in the town centre and heads south east along country lanes towards Heathfield Park. It's a private estate but you can follow a country lane along the western side of the park before turning east to visit Old Heathfield. The Grade II listed country house dates back to 1677.
From Old Heathfield you can follow footpaths south east to explore St Dunstan's Wood. Footpaths will take you through Fountain Wood and Becklington Wood before coming to Caller's Corner, where there are some small waterfalls. Here you turn north towards Cade Street before heading west to return to Old Heathfield.
The route then heads west through Sandy Cross where you pick up the popular Cuckoo Trail. This shared cycling and walking route will take you north back into the town centre.
Heathfield Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Heathfield Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Heathfield OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Heathfield Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The historic Star Inn in Old Heathfield is a good place for post walk refreshment. The inn was built in 1348 to serve the masons working on the adjacent All Saints church which dates from the 13th century. There's a particiularly splendid garden area here with mature herbaceous borders, a water feature and fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. You can find them on Church Street at a postcode of TN21 9AH for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The country and woodland trails make for a fine dog walk. The Star Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head east of the forest and there's miles wof woodland trails around Dallington Forest and Brightling Down near Three Cups Corner.
To the north you can pick up the Crowborough Walk and explore the local common. Near here is the expansive Ashdown Forest where you can try the popular Pooh Walk and pay a visit to Pooh Sticks Bridge. The ancient Chelwood Vachery can also be visited in this area.
A few miles to the west you can pick up the Wealdway and the Vanguard Way near Framfield.
To the east you can visit the worthy village of Burwash. Our circular walk from the village visits on of the area's highlights at the National Trust's Bateman's. The fine 17th century Jacobean house was the home of author Rudyard Kipling during the early part of the 20th century. You can explore the house and the surrounding gardens with some great views of the surrounding High Weald countryside.
To the north is the village of Mayfield where you'll find a 15th century church, views of the River Rother and a fine 16th century pub.
For more walking ideas in the area see the High Weald Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Station Road. Heading south from the High Street and lined with a few shops near the top end. Heathfield's position on a high ridge can be seen from the distant view as the Weald falls away and the faint line of the South Downs can be seen on the horizon.
Heathfield Tunnel. Built in 1880 as part of the Polegate-Tunbridge railway better known as the Cuckoo Line and closed with the rest of the line in 1968. It re-opened in 2001 for pedestrian access to the newly opened Millennium Green though was closed to the public for a few years after an attempted rape. It re-opened again in 2007. The floor gives an indication of the dampness of the tunnel which is 240m long and curves towards the southern portal where Heathfield's former station and goods yard were once located.
The Star, Old Heathfield. 14th century pub in the village centre.
All Saints Church Old Heathfield. The main body of the 13th century Church is built of local sandstone. The tower is constructed of chalk faced with sandstone and the steeple is tiled with cedar shingles, currently in urgent need of replacement. In 1606 the Rev. Robert Hunt, vicar of Heathfield, sailed with John Smith (of Pocahontas fame) and Captain Gosnold to America (13 years before the Pilgrim Fathers). They were pioneering settlers.
The edge of St Dunstan's Wood
Small waterfalls near Caller's Corner. The colour of this stream indicates its high Iron content. This is very common around here where ironstone is common.
Stile on the footpath leading to Beckington Wood
Pond on the edge of Browndown Wood