Ascent 327m
Descent 254m
Wood Anenomes
The weather in the week preceding the walk had been decidedly wintry, with a bitter north-east wind, so our intrepid group met at Blackboys with plenty of warm clothing (waterproof coats and trousers, hats and gloves, spare fleeces etc). However, even on the drive down to Arlington, the sun began to show its face through the mist, and it looked as if it might turn into a reasonable day.
Arlington Church
Leaving Arlington over the fields
As nine of us (the same group as for WW1) set off from Arlington village hall, some of the spare clothing was left in car boots, while much of the rest was already consigned to rucksacks as a 'just in case' measure.
Crossing the River Cuckmere for the first time
Following the river - Zuka looks tempted to take an early dip
The path initially took us through the churchyard and then into the fields beyond, with stiles at each boundary. Passing under a line of pylons we soon crossed the river Cuckmere – for the first of several times today, and then swung north to follow the riverbank for about 1/3 mile.
Cows enjoying the sunshine at Parkwood Farm
Bluebell wood - not yet at its best
Continuing through the fields we reached Parkwood Farm where the cows were out enjoying the spring sunshine, after being over wintered in cowsheds. A quick look at the map was needed to check the path direction, but we were soon on our way again, dog-legging across the farm drive and around a small wood, where the bluebells were just coming into flower.
St Bede's Golf Course
Val negotiates an unusual double stile
At the end of the wood we crossed St Bede's golf course before cutting down a narrow path to the village of Upper Dicker. After a short walk up the road we arrived at a delightful village shop in the old post office building, set well back from the road. It wasn't actually called 'Ye Olde Village Shoppe', but it certainly had that feel about it inside.
Village Sign
Some of us indulged in the locally produced Ringmer ice-cream (not Sally, of course, who's "body is a temple"!), even though it was still before 11am. While we sat in the sun more clothing was shed, and all the rucksacks were now bulging with spare clothes.
Village shop (note dogs tied up and in the upstairs window)
Ice-cream break
The way continued down a narrow passageway between the shop and some houses, then through a horse field surrounded by an electric fence (fortunately not live) and across the middle of a cricket pitch (fortunately not during a match). It was then back to more horse fields, some a bit muddy. The horses themselves were very well behaved and didn't bother us at all.
Derek being a gentleman - AAARRGH!
Bridge over Michelham Priory moat
We struggled though a particularly muddy gateway, then crossed over two brick bridges, one over the moat of Michelham Priory (the remains of which were close by, but not visible) - complete with (2) 'swans a swimming'; and the other over the river Cuckmere once again.
Swans on the moat
Bridge over Cuckmere river
Over the next mile or so, we continued across grassy fields and passed a number of attractive ponds, climbing the inevitable stiles at each field boundary. Eventually we reached Hempstead Farm, where the path became a little more enclosed and rather more unkempt, as it passed between straggly brambles. Noise from the approaching A22 was much in evidence.
Flat open fields heading towards Hailsham
Pretty pond - a feature of today's walk
After crossing the busy dual carriageway it was across the fields once more until we reached the outskirts of Hailsham, where the route took us to a new housing estate. The houses were actually quite attractive for new build, I thought. The Wealdway was diverted on a fairly tortuous route through the estate - the original path being blocked by a high green fence.
"Oh joy, another stile!" thinks Maria
Me and the WW Weanies (see top of stile post)!
We crossed the A271 and walked up a track past a derelict mill, which looked ripe for redevelopment, and then briefly alongside the familiar Cuckmere River.
Derelict mill north of A271
River Cuckmere
A kissing gate took us to the driveway of Horselunges, a very impressive 15th century moated manor house, complete with drawbridge (and a rather more modern CCTV camera). Apparently the house was once owned by Peter Grant, the manager of Led Zeppelin.
Horselunges Manor
Horselunges moat
Reaching Hellingly village, we turned left along the road and crossed into the churchyard (where Peter Grant is buried). The sun was shining and it was lovely and warm so we decided to stop here for lunch. The church was set on a kind of grassy knoll and there were several benches dotted around so we split up and had our picnics in comfort, which was rather nice. However, I did find it more difficult to don the rucksack again after a comfortable sit down (compared to the more usual 'sitting on the grass' scenario).
Hellingly church
Pretty lunch spot in the churchyard
Refreshed, we left the churchyard and continued up an attractive lane, briefly leaving it on a short stretch of footpath, before crossing the A267. We followed a track towards a small hamlet of fine houses, and then climbed some earth steps (the most strenuous part of the walk so far) to enter an intriguing field. Dotted around were various abandoned items, some understandable (old farm machinery and tumbledown wooden animal shelters), some less so (wooden tee-pee, several old sofas, stone 'mushrooms' and two boats!).
Curious field with boats and stone mushrooms
Zuka takes a break
We passed though another small patch of woodland, descending down to cross a stream by a wooden footbridge. After passing a forlorn and lonely stile, all alone in the middle of a large grassy field, our route then continued briefly across arable fields sporting approximately six inches growth of winter wheat.
Idyllic West Street farm
Baa..........
Making good time, we soon reached the pretty West Street Farm complete with compulsory (for this walk, anyway) pond. The farm track took us to the hamlet of Gun Hill, where there were more attractive and doubtless very expensive, houses. We paused for a group photo at the stile here before walking round the edge of the ploughed field towards the spire of Chiddingly church which could be seen in the distance. Where we had to walk across the plough, a tractor had fortunately flattened a pathway, so the walking was easy.
View across plough towards Chiddingly church
Smiling faces - this is a great way to spend the day!
The path then descended into a small copse and down to another stream, which we crossed on a smart new squeeze-stile footbridge. Our descent was accompanied by the pleasant tinkle of wind chimes, which someone had tied high up in one of the trees. With the spring flowers blooming and the sun shining, it all made for a very pleasant sight and sound experience.
Looking back through the 'tinkling' copse
Approaching Chiddingly
As we approached Chiddingly, the route took us through more horse pastures. Some of the more curious ones came to say ‘hi’ while we were crossing the stile into their field, but they were well behaved, and not at all skittish. A couple of them were wearing thick winter rugs with hoods – they must have been feeling rather warm, poor things.
Pub sign - The Six Bells
Traction engine
The village itself was again very pretty, with the Six Bells pub taking up a prominent position. A traction engine was parked by the roadside in the center of the village, giving an unexpected photo opportunity. We passed the very impressive residence of Chiddingly Place and then walked briefly up the lane towards Frith Farm – another tidy dwelling with (yes, you’ve guessed……) a pond!
Frith Farm
Heading for a kissing gate
Our route continued through another small wood, and then across fields, one of which was very densely populated with sheep. Zuka seemed to resist the urge to feast on the droppings – my dogs would have had a field-day! The path climbed up through this field to cross a minor country lane, before taking to the fields again and through another small copse, where I heard a cuckoo calling (I can’t remember hearing one this year before this), and on towards the village of East Hoathly.
East Hoathly
Leaving the churchyard under the arch
Although the village seemed more modern than others we had visited today, the houses on the approach lane were quite attractive, with many being timber-clad or tile-hung. The route took us through the churchyard and out again under an unusual archway, before leaving the village on a grassy path between hedges, and then through a bluebell wood.
Winding path
Driveway to the stud
After crossing another minor road we took the track to Hesmonds stud farm. The drive was lined with posts and chains and bordered by wide verges full of flowers. Unfortunately the daffodils were pretty much over, but it was still rather pretty. After passing the stables and outbuildings we walked on a wide grass path between smart post and rail fences (these were delicate thoroughbred horses after all). We stopped for a short break and snack in the stud grounds, and when we pushed on, soon passed three horse graves at the edge of a field.
Path through the stud
More bluebells
We followed the path to a narrow spur of Great Wood, which is a rather ambitious name for a fairly modest patch of woodland. However, as with the other copses we had visited today, it was a pleasant interlude from the open fields, and the spring flowers were lovely to see.
Spring seems to have come late to this patch of wood!
Dave climbs stile number 3 million
We now passed under some more pylons and then struck out across a large grass field towards a lone tree. There was then a brief discussion about route direction as the path turned sharp left in the middle of the field and headed downhill towards a wooded gulley and across a footbridge, before climbing again to cross a country lane.
Heading for the lone tree
Tim & Sally crossing a nice new bridge
The path then continued straight across a ploughed field. As there was no worn path, and the earth was quite dry, most of us skirted the field on the grass headland. Dave, Val & Chris took the ‘proper’ route – fortunately no one broke their ankle on the clods.
Chris braves the 'official' route across the plough
Next we descended into another wooded gully, and this time the path was steep and slippery. It was not an easy descent for anyone with dodgy knees (Derek & Maria)! Dave kindly stood at the bottom with camera at the ready incase anyone fell on their ar**e, but fortunately his photographic skills were not required.
Mind how you go down the slippery slope!
Anne emerging from the gully
After crossing a lane the next field was a little easier on the feet, as the path crossed an arable field with a small amount of growth, and continued alongside a small patch of woodland. To the north we could see glimpses of two large lakes in the grounds of Newplace Farm.
Glimpses of Newplace Farm lakes to the right
Along this section of the path we got rather strung out for some reason. Anne and Chris were way up front and striding out at a fair rate of knots (allegedly in training for our planned assault on the 27 mile Tunbridge Wells Circular walk in June – yikes!). When they reached the road, the way mark arrow (which had actually broken off and been nailed back on at slightly the wrong angle) suggested to them that the route continued up the twisting lane so off they went. Unfortunately, neither of them had a map to check.
The correct route up the drive
Actually, they should have turned right up the driveway to the very posh Newplace Farm. While the rest of the group waited, both Tim and (later) myself hot footed it up the lane in pursuit (hey, I even broke into a run a couple of times!). Alerted by my faint calls, the escapees eventually turned round and we walked back down the hill to rejoin the others.
Waterfalls and stream
Back on route, we walked up the farm drive, which was flanked with wild flowers and a very impressive water feature (Charlie Dimmock would be impressed). The route took us round farm buildings that I think have probably been converted into office units (judging by the business names that came up when I ‘googled’ the place), and then continued along the track through the estate grounds, before taking to the open fields again.
Newplace Farm
Walking through the grounds
Hugging the hedge, the route was a gentle but reasonably long climb up to a small lane. Dog-legging left, then right, we crossed one final field before emerging at the B2102 on the outskirts of Blackboys. We turned east for our final quarter mile walk back to the cars parked near the village recreation ground. After returning to Arlington most of us had a bite to eat in the pub up the road before heading for home.
Nearly there - one last pull!
We were pleased that Derek had managed to complete the whole walk – he has been suffering from knee pain for a while. I had lent him my walking pole incase he needed it, but he had managed without. Derek has since learned that he has a torn meniscus cartilage and will unfortunately probably need surgery. He still hopes to complete the Wealdway if body and soul allow, brave boy.
Arriving at Blackboys
In summary, this section was a little lacking in far reaching views, and for most of the time we were walking through either fairly flat grassy fields or small copses. However, these sections were nicely broken up by some attractive villages and farms, and together with the lovely spring weather it all added up to a very pleasant walk. Ponds featured quite a bit, and as for the stiles – well, let’s just say they were an awful lot of them.
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