Saturday Walk - Balcombe to East Grinstead

Length: 17.2km (10.7 miles), 5 hours. 6 out of 10. 

This walk has a fair number of relatively gentle uphills and downhills, but is well worth the effort.

It starts in the old village of Balcombe, passes Balcombe House, and then goes through the woods and by the lake of Balcombe Estate, to reach the National Trust gardens at Wakehurst Place around mid-morning. 

Trains: Get the 0935 Thameslink, Brighton train arriving Balcombe 1016. (St Pancras 0920, Blackfriars 0929, East Croydon 0949). 

Return trains from East Grinstead xx06, xx36 to Victoria. 

These stations are on different lines so 60+ should get singles from/to boundary zone 6. Otherwise get a day return to Balcombe and a single from East Grinstead to East Croydon. 

Lunch: The suggested lunchtime stop, 8.4 km into the walk, is the Cat Inn (tel 01342 810 369) in West Hoathly, a 16th century freehouse with lots of atmosphere, which serves top quality food from an extensive menu. Booking recommended. Apparently there is a church for picnics. 

Tea: The suggested tea stop is The Old Dunnings Mill pub about 2km before the end of the walk. Allow 30 minutes from here to reach the station.

Near the station is the Starbucks at East Grinstead Sainsbury's. 

There is a pub in the town centre, about 300m beyond the station - go right on Station Approach at the roundabount just before the station.

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