Book 2 Walk 18: Wadhurst Circular (or long walk to Robertsbridge) t=2.18
Distance: Something for everyone:
Main walk: 11.8 miles/ 19.0 km
Short Walk: 6.2 miles/ 10.0 km
Long walk to Robertsbridge: 21.4 miles/ 34.5 km
Difficulty: 4 out of 10
Train: Take the 9:15
AM Southeastern Hastings bound train from London Charing Cross (9:18 Waterloo East; 9:24 London Bridge; 9:40
Orpington) to Wadhurst, arriving 10:19. Return trains from Wadhust are on the hour
and 29 minutes past the hour and from Robertsbridge at 14 and 44 past the hour. Buy a day return to Wadhurst – unless walking
to Robertsbridge, in which case, Robertsbridge.
This is a lovely high weald walk through rolling hills with lots of woods which should be showing some nice color…hopefully before becoming too muddy……There are at least three options – the main route, plus a long and a short option…..More information and the walk instructions can be found here.
There ae
plenty of places along the route for a picnic….
8 comments:
Comment moved from the midweek Wendover walk:
Andy J, Thu 22 Oct 20, 13:27
Sorry to post this on this blog but I cannot see how to set up a comment otherwise. Tthis is commenting on the Wadhurst Circular walk which I waS DOING ON THE 11.10.20. Hi - I wonder if you can help. I really enjoy the country walks (Time Out) vol 1&2. I bought vol 1 last December from Foyles and was looking forward to using the guide in 2020. After a late start on the book for obvious reasons I have enjoyed 16 walks and although out of date((I did not notice the edition date till after I had bought it) I have enjoyed the challenge of working out the next step when needed, which was not often. However, yesterday I was on this walk using your updated version and on schedule to complete before dark.(please see page 5 and read from , alternative ending to Stonegate)I continued on the walk to Wadhurst and up through the fields as stated continuing to the style in the distance. then I turned left across the field to Coombe wood and was faced with a fence and no sign of a field gate to enter the woods. I searched all around and no sign of entry or even a car wide track in the woods. I eventually , due to time, had to find my way back another way to Wadhurst station using lanes. I saw a local who said that he though Coombe Wood had been shut off. If so then the signage should have changed by now. I still enjoyed the day as being in the countryside is the main thing. Can anyone help me with this . Thanks Andy J
The current Rights of Way map for East Sussex does not show any closure of this route. I'm planning on going on this walk on Saturday. I may bring wire cutters......
It can be tricky finding the way into Coom e wood. Gavin
Minority report: There was quite a crowd on this walk, most of whom did the main walk, as far as I can tell: hopefully they will add their own account. Five did the short walk, lunching outside under the awning at the White Hart in Wadhurst and getting the 4pm train. Two improvised a longer short walk, if you see what I mean, one to get back to London early for an online meeting, and the other (me) joining the Wadhurst lunchers on their walk to the station. Except 4pm seemed too early to finish on the last day of BST, so I went for an extra loop, enjoying the autumnal trees swaying in the wind, and getting the 5pm.
Excellent leaf colour on this walk, with yellow and gold hornbeams the biggest attraction, and all shades from yellow to gold to maroon on Norway maple. Sweet chestnuts were also golden, and the ground was covered with their nuts in places. Ashes were nearly bare, and some larches turning gold. The weather was w=damp-and-breezy, but the rain held off (at least while I was walking)
Andy J. and Brian.
Re Combe Wood. There is no issue here but the signpost pointing towards the wood is not at the correct angle. For anyone else doing the route-once you hit the wire fence round the wood, turn right and follow it to the corner where you will find a footpath post and metal field gate. Here turn left.
I am an experienced walker and thought that the degree of difficulty was more 5/6 out of ten.
Our little group did the full walk, briefly trying for a drink at lunch, but feeling the weather (after a picnic stop) pressed on. A tea-time stop at the White Hart set us up for the last two miles, getting the 5.30 complete with supplies & an empty carriage. Very enjoyable walk & day out.
The full walk (minus the bit round Wadhurst Park) was a beautiful, if occasionally damp, walk through Autumn's best red, russet and gold with occasional very long views across the High Weald. A substantial turnout, (20? although no-one counted) quickly split up, with 6 going 180 degrees the wrong way but presumably righting themselves to reach Mayfield in time for lunch taken variously at the Rose & Crown (good reports,) the Middle House, and the porch of St Dunstan's church. Our socially-distanced group of 5 reached Wadhurst just as the bus for Wadhurst station arrived and 4 lept gratefully on. The threatened torrential rain held off. A locked gate in Tidebrook has been reported to East Sussex Rights of Way team, and the entrance to Combe Wood was right where it should have been (although not as well signposted as it might be - sorry, Andy.) As always with SWC, a good day in very convivial company.
N=25
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