Wivelsfield to Haywards Heath: Fine views, Borde Hill Gardens and a nice tea room

Wivelsfield to Haywards Heath

Length:

Main Walk: 18¾ km (11.6 miles). Toughness 4 out of 10

Short Walk (with all short cuts): 14¾ km (9.1 miles). Toughness 3 out of 10.

Outward Trains:

Take the 10:05 Thameslink Brighton service from London Bridge (East Croydon 10:19) arriving at Wivelsfield at 10:56

Or you could take the more expensive* 09:54 Southern Ore service from London Victoria (Clapham Junction 10:01, East Croydon 10:10) arriving at Wivelsfield at 10:42

Return trains::

Thameslink to London Bridge 16:19, 16:31, 16:49, 17:01, 17:19, 17:31 etc..

Southern to Victoria 16:47, 16:56, 17:12, 17:17, 17:26 etc...

* The cheapest ticket is a "Thameslink Only" Super Off Peak return from London to Wivelsfield. The "Thameslink Only" ticket is cheaper if you buy it from London (ie not from Boundary zone 6) and significantly cheaper than the "any permitted" Off Peak return ticket. Note that you can't use the Thameslink ticket on any of the Southern trains. You can use the more expensive "any permitted" ticket on either Southern or Thameslink trains.

This scenic walk explores the pleasant southern end of the Weald, heading north to Cuckfield, a village with several possible lunch places. There are good reports from previous walks about Tom’s Food (01444 473384), and The Talbot (01444 4558980), and there's a second pub, White Harte Inn which CAMRA describe as serving Harvey's Sussex Best and Seacider and authentic Thai food.

In the afternoon it follows the High Weald Landscape Trail, with fine views to Borde Hill Garden. There is an entry fee to the garden itself but not for its Ginkgo Coffee Shop, which is nestled inside the entrance building. Its webpage says it serves "barista coffee, specialist teas, and a selection of delicious cakes and bakes."

Further refreshment options at the end of the walk in Haywards Heath are:

Starbucks coffee shop in Sainsbury's, Bannister Way, Haywards Heath RH16 1DG

Wait and Rose Café just past the station in Waitrose Sydney Rd, Market Pl, Haywards Heath RH16 1DB (free hot drink with any purchase if you have a My Waitrose card)

The Burrell Arms (01444-453214) a Greene King pub on the roundabout Commercial Square, Haywards Heath RH16 1EA.

Inside the station, there's The Carriage Coffee Shop in the ticket hall and Pumpkin Cafe/Cafe Local kiosks on the platforms.

Please remember that these walks are self led: for full details and to download your copy of the directions see the L=swc.225 page.