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.
The walk starts at the rail station in Horsham, West Sussex, and heads east to Rye in East Sussex.
Walk highlights include
- St Leonard's Forest - located at the western end of the Wealden Forest Ridge running from Horsham to Tonbridge, the forest is part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The woods include attractive pine woodland, a series of pretty streams and the Whitevane Pond at the north western end of the forest.
- Borde Hill Garden - located near Hayward's Heath Borde Hill features over 200 acres of garden, park and woodlands accompanied by spectacular views across the Sussex High Weald
- Wakehurst Place - owned by the National Trust Wakehurst Place is located near Ardingly. It comprises a late 16th century country house and a mainly 20th century garden, managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens
- Ardingly Reservoir - near Wakehurst the path skirts the edge of this splendid large body of water.
- Stone Farm Rocks - located near East Grinstead you will find this series of sandstone crags which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
- Standen House - National Trust owned Arts and Crafts family home with Morris & Co. interiors, set in a beautiful hillside garden
- Harrison's Rocks - popular with rock climbers this sandstone crag is located approximately 1.5 km south of the village of Groombridge in the county of East Sussex.
- Union Mill - Grade I listed smock mill in Cranbrook, Kent, England which has been restored to working order. It is the tallest smock mill in the United Kingdom.
- Rye Castle - this 13th century castle houses a museum which includes locally-made medieval pottery, an embroidery depicting many aspects of Rye life and history, medieval artifacts, activities and town maps.
- Near Tenterden you will pass the noteworthy Smallhythe Place. This National Trust half-timbered house was built in the late 15th or early 16th century. It was the home of the Victorian actress Ellen Terry from 1899 to her death in the house in 1928. The house contains Terry's theatre collection, while the cottage grounds include her rose garden, orchard, nuttery and the working Barn Theatre. It's right on the trail and a nice place to stop at with a tea room in the pretty garden for refreshments.
Horsham to Cuckfield- 23.3km (14.5 miles)
Cuckfield to East Grinstead - 27.4km (17.0 miles)
East Grinstead to Groombridge - 21.0km (13.1 miles)
Groombridge to Matfield - 22.8km (14.1 miles)
Matfield to Rolvenden - 30.6km (19 miles)
Rolvenden to Flackley Ash - 20.0km (12.5 miles)
Flackley Ash to Rye - 7.1km (4.4 miles)
Please see the link below for a series of fantastic pdf guides to the route covering the sections above.
Please click here for more information
High Weald Landscape Trail Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
High Weald Landscape Trail Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
High Weald Landscape Trail OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
High Weald Landscape Trail Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
In the village of Ardingly there's the noteworthy Gardeners Arms to stop at for some on route refreshments. Dating back to the 17th Century, the pub is cosy in the winter, with roaring log fires and traditional oak beams. In the summer months you can sit outside in the beautiful garden. Here you can see their grape vines and may also spot a deer if you are lucky. You can find the pub on Selsfield Road with a postcode of RH17 6TJ.
In East Grinstead The Ship Inn is a good choice for a pit stop. They do very good food and have an attractive interior with a cosy fire for cold days. If the weather is fine there's a nice terraced garden outside too. You can find the pub on Ship Street at a postcode of RH19 4EG for your sat navs.
The small town of Cranbrook is a nice place for a pit stop and a stroll. Here you'll find Larkin's Alehouse. This excellent micropub has a fine range of ales and ciders to sample. It's a friendly, award winning place with a lovely garden to sit out in. You can find them on the High Street at postcode TN17 3EB. After your refrfeshment you could enjoy a stroll around the interesting town where there's several medieval buildings, a notable church known as the 'Cathedral of the Weald' and a very photogenic working windmill.
Goudhurst is right on the route and has couple of fine pubs to try. There's The Peacock Inn which has a lovely large garden area where you can relax on warmer days. You can find them at postcode TN17 2PB. There's also the Goudhurst Inn where they serve particularly delicious pizzas. They also have a fine patio area for the summer. They are located on Cranbrook Road at postcode TN17 1DX for your sat navs. The elevated village centre is a special place as well. It commands fine views over the area and also includes a picturesque village pond, rows of ancient cottages and a noteworthy 14th century church.
In Bolney there's the locally well known Bolney Stage. It's hundreds of years old and includes a characterful interior with huge inglenook fireplaces, ancient flagstones, crooked beams and comfortable old furniture. Outside there's a large garden area where you can enjoy a fine meal. You can find them on the London Road at postcode RH17 5RL. While here you could also 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. There's also a fine cafe here which provides an alternative pit stop. The pretty village is also worth exploring with a noteworthy 12th century church and several listed buildings to admire.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
At Handcross you could pay a visit to the National Trust's Nymans Gardens. The beautiful gardens are one of the highlights on the trail.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Sheepwash Ghyll, St Leonard's Forest. Sheepwash Ghyll has cut a deep ravine running over a base of sandstone often forming small 'waterfalls' as here and providing a ford for the footpath going up Scragged Oak Hill (to the right). Sheepwash Ghyll flows out of Whitevane Pond, about 1.5km to the north of this photo, through Roosthole Pond and as Goldings stream into (Birchen) Mill Pond. Flowing out of (Birchen) Mill Pond and under the A281 it emerges as the river Arun on its way to the sea at Littlehampton.
Smallhythe Place near Tenterden. Home of the Victorian actress Ellen Terry
Borde Hill
Wakehurst Place
Goudhurst Village Pond
The High Weald Landscape Trail leads past The Park in Cranbrook. The long distance path heads from Cranbrook past land around Oak Hill Manor. In the background it turns right (see other walkers) heading towards Baker's Cross.