Sue was off to the Quilting exhibition at the South of England centre in
Ardingly, so Bertie and I went along and instead of going into the exhibition
we went for a walk around the nearby reservoir. Similar to a route in the OS
walks book, but also taking in Balcombe lake.
We arrived at the exhibition centre and were directed to park at the side of one
of the roads (the grass being too wet to use). I had my modified snow boots
rather than walking boots as I anticipated a lot of mud and surface water. There
was a bitter wind blowing across the open area where the cars were parking so we
hurried onwards. I wanted to go out the side gate to the public footpath beyond,
however it was locked so had to retreat and go out the gate we came in on. Then
up a path beside the B2028, until we reached an opening into an open area and
hard standing.
Across the open grassy area to the path on the far side, then along it beside
what looked like eventing hurdles, up to the far corner.
Turning down the lane towards and past Tillinghurst Farm. This was muddy, but
would have been Ok in the walking boots.
The lane ended at a pair of open fields - soggy but not water logged, looking
over the valley to Tilgate wood on the other side.
After a sloping field we entered some woodland with steps that led down to a
bridge over this leg of the reservoir.
The bridge was fully enclosed to keep the public away from the water. Then up
the other side avoiding the fenced off sanctuary (RSBP I think).
The path climbed relatively steeply up to a back road, which we followed north
until reaching a series of buildings marked as "the Oaks". From here we took a
chalk lane down to forest farm.
At the farm we turned off through a grass field that eventually came out on a
concrete track (presumably a farm driveway). This led down to Balcombe lake
We crossed the lake dam looking down into the overflow. The place had numerous
signs to preserve the place for authorised anglers only!
A sort section along side the outflow river to bring us to the Balcombe road.
As we passed Balcombe Mill at the bottom of the dip just before crossing the end
of the reservoir, there was a T.Rex sculpture in the garden.
Over the bridge and onto the bridleway that would take us along the side of the
reservoir all the way around to the dam at the opposite end.
We followed the bridleway as it worked its way around all the little inlets and
promontories around the reservoir. This was the bit of the walk I needed my snow
boots more than I expected, in fact my walking boots would have been swamped.
The bridleway curved around and up to a causeway that crossed over the eastern
fork of the reservoir then continued its windy way along to the dam.
Approaching the end the bridleway became drier (I guess more work has been done
at this end). Then over the dam past the exit tower to the boat club.
We then dropped down the other side to the car park below the dam and back up
the slope coming back on ourselves
Climbing up through the fallow fields to the village of Ardingly, then onto a
back lane after passing Townhouse farm.
Across from the church we crossed to the boundary of the Exhibition centre.
Knowing the side gate was locked we turned towards the B2028, and followed the
fence, then the road too renter at the main gate where we had left earlier. Sue
was waiting by the van and ready for some lunch - back into the village and
stopping at a nice little café for soup and cake.
