Length: 14¾ km (9.2 miles), plus whatever extra you do if visiting Wakehurst. Toughness: 5/10
09:50 Thameslink (Brighton) train from St Pancras (…Blackfriars 09:59, London Bridge 10:05, East Croydon 10:19, etc), arriving Balcombe at 10:46.
Thameslink trains back from Balcombe are half-hourly at xx:25 & xx:55.
The first posting of this walk was scuppered by poor weather last October so let's hope for better luck this time. It's been designed to allow plenty of time for an afternoon visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Wakehurst. Admission is free to NT members and half price to those who can “present proof of car-free travel”, so show a rail ticket if you need to pay. If you decide to skip the gardens you shouldn't have a problem finding your way back to Balcombe as the route will be familiar from other SWC walks.
The lunch pub is the Gardeners Arms on the B2028 to the north of Ardingly, which usually has space in its garden. However, you'll probably need to book a table if you want to eat inside, especially as there's a “Spring Live!” event at the Showground across the road. As an alternative the Seeds Café at Wakehurst is open to non-visitors.
Those heading straight back to Balcombe might find its new coffee shop JO.CO still open, but if not the Half Moon Inn is a reliable watering-hole.
Please bring the directions from the L=swc.447 page. There's a possible short cut at the start if the train is delayed or the weather isn't great, but I suggest taking the full outward route via the Loder Valley.
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