We were in Uckfield for a quick visit and had planned a quick stop on
the way home to walk a small part of the SDW near Firle
We parked in the village car park on the outskirts behind the pub, then left
through a white gate, and down the main street on the village, with teh church
as a way point.
Leaving the village and passing first a brewery and then a farm heading south,
the road had become a concrete farm track.
The farm track merged into a chalk lane that turned to the east. Following the a
slight rise up to a copse of trees beside an open field and a flint stone wall.
At the copse we turned south again into the sun, following the line of the
copse towards the bottom of the escarpment
As the copse came to and end the path steepened to climb up the escarpment
beside a wood.
Climbing up to the ridge line, looking across to the radio mast beyond the top
car park.
Reaching the top of the ridge and the SDW we turned East to follow the SDW
to the beacon. It was all fairly flat with a slight rise up to the trig point on
the bump.
The final slight rise to the beacon
looking south to the coast at Newhaven
Looking north to the weald and beyond
Looking down to the route back to the van through the Firle estate.
We continued along the SDW heading towards the second upper car park, before
taking a green track back down steep north slopes. Initially into a sheep
pasture, before it followed a lane through the lower fields.
Continuing on the lane to Tilton Farm and then turning onto the driveway for
Charleston farmhouse.
Approaching the farmhouse ... you can only see the barns at this stage,
before passing the attractive pond
The farmhouse nestling in the tree groves, was open for visitors but we declined
- dogs not allowed and we were a little muddy! However we did make us of the
picnic site behind the house looking up to the down beyond the farm.
Leaving the farm proved tricky with a very muddy track, until we got to a
pasture field and could clean up the boots, whilst looking at the tower folly on
the hill above.
Approaching the tower we had to walk through recently ploughed and sown fields
.. the mud stuck to our boots as we walked a bit like snow to crampons.
passing the tower and the initial views of Firle place.
Just when we though the mud was over we passed into a pasture field for the drop down to the big house. Then through the estate around the house. All the time still picking up mud on our boots.
The front of the house as we passed by, until reaching the end of the estate where we passed into the village.
Up through the second street in the village, before returning to the pub then around the back to the car park.
Back at the van for a short rest before continuing home.
