10.07 train from London Bridge (10.22 East Croydon) to Ashurst (Kent), arriving 10.57
Best ticket: the walk author suggests a return to East Grinstead. The out and back routes diverge/converge at Hurst Green. A day return to East Grinstead is slightly more expensive than to Ashurst, and it has barriers, while Ashurst does not. (Or to be super safe, get a return to Ashurst and a single from East Grinstead to Hurst Green on the way back...)
Following representations to me last Saturday, I waited before posting in the hope the weekend forecast might favour a lazy swimming walk. But as of the time of writing (Wednesday) it does not, and the sea state looks to be quite rough.
So here is a pleasant little inland walk, that usually works nicely as a summer outing. There is a contrast between lowland landscapes in the morning and upland heath (with nice views at one point) in the afternoon. Last week on the Guildford to Farnham there was some spectacular pink bell heather in full flower, so maybe we will see some of that.
Lunch is at the very rural Gallipot Inn after 4.8 miles, which has always worked for us in the past. Or there is a possible detour half an hour earlier to the Anchor Inn in Hartfield. Forest Row has lots of tea options, which seem to change from one week to the next, plus a microbrewery and pubs.
If you then do not feel adequately exercised you can carry on up the old railway line to East Grinstead, adding 3.4 miles to the walk. Otherwise there are 270/291 buses from Forest Row to East Grinstead station at 16.31, 17.04, 17.30, 18.03, 18.38, 18.57, 19.46, 19.52, 20.54 (etc): still at a flat fare of £2.
Trains back from East Grinstead are at 06 and 36 past the hour
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15 at the start of this walk, for the record NOT experiencing a flood of Brighton Pride attendees at London Bridge, which if anything was a bit quieter than usual. We were joined at lunch (and in the afternoon) by the walk author, so n=16 all told.
The weather initially followed the forecast script - cloud breaking to sun - and by late morning it was feeling decidedly hot and sticky. (What happened to that “fresher” air, then?) But after lunch it went off-piste big time and was w=unexpectedly-grey-and-drizzly-in-the-afternoon. I shall be writing to the Met Office to demand a refund.
The Gallipot Inn proved a bit busier than in previous years. But with only three of us eating (shocking hints of encroaching midweek walk-ism…) and a few having drinks, we were able to secure a table on the patio. They insisted on table service (for diners, anyway) but took orders quickly.
In the afternoon myself and a companion went astray through me turning left rather than right. That meant we got left behind. But charmingly six or so walkers waited for us at a bench overlooking the view in Ashdown Forest, for which much thanks. Heather was coming out in force here - quite good displays - and the pinkish bell heather was at its best.
I inveigled the others to stop for tea at the Ashdown Forest Visitor Centre. Once the staff had got the (obviously little used) tea machine going, this was very pleasant. They have installed tables, a sofa or two, and there were some nice cookies/tiffin slices. All this plus recorded birdsong and some interesting displays In a very historic building.
We then walked down to Forest Row where a bus pulled up alongside us even before we had got to the village centre. This was considered too tempting to pass up, so all got on bar one walker who planned to walk up the old railway line to East Grinstead.
The rest of us split between those who took the bus all the way to the station and five of us who disembarked for a drink on the back terrace of the Dorset Arms. We then got the 18.36 train.
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