A break in the weather today, so Bertie and I went out for a walk... I had
spotted a car park on the Worth Way that had no height restrictions. I had an
idea to follow worth way to East Grinstead then drop down to Wier wood
reservoir, across to Gravetye Manor then back via Turners Hill.
An awkward place to get to, but we arrived from Crawley Down and along Wallage
lane to the place where Worth Way crosses it, and an off road area opposite
Rowfant station. We started off along the converted track bed towards Crawley
Down and East Grinstead.
The track bed is a corridor bounded by trees and hedges so there is not much to
see other than a green tunnel. At Crawley Down we went under the B2028 and into
the village. the rail track has been built on here, however the SBP turns away
from the track bed out of the village.
Climbing up a lane leaving the village towards Burleigh house farm, and into the
fields beyond it.
Continuing along the fields on a path diverging away from the worth way towards
Tillhurst farm.
A sharp turn down a farm track through grass fields to bring the SBP back to the
Worth Way. Then continuing along the track bed to East Grinstead.
The worth Way ended at the railway car park in East Grinstead, and we crossed
over the main line to the other side of the station.
Out of the station area and along the B2110 Turners Hill Road. We escaped into a
Brooklands park down to a stream to cross and up to West Hill.
Just past Hurst Farm Road we turned down a track on rough ground. This was
really muddy for a while behind the houses, then came out to some grass
fields.
Around Bullrushes farm the track was overgrown before leading out into a
residential road next to the Old Dunnings Mill pub
We crossed over into Sunnyside rec and its play area, before crossing over into
woodland then a grass field leading up to a By way.
The Byway led past Boyles farm and down to Busses farm (which had some new name
about Yoghurt). Through the farmyard and then down a track going down to Wier
wood reservoir.
The first views of the reservoir from a jubilee place, then we turned along the
side of teh reservoir, however the path ran in bushes as it wound in and out.
The path followed teh edge of the fields surrounding the reservoir. It would
have been better to cut the bends through the fields like the other walkers, but
we stuck to the path.
The path led to Admirals Bridge Lane which we climbed up Past teh parking space
for Stone Farm Rocks, before crossing over and down the access track.
Stone farm rocks was an old playground in my youth, and it was weird being back
... definitely more overgrown than it used to be. Some things were as I
remembered, but others were more obscure.
After leaving the rocks we followed the track as it dropped down then turned
down across the fields leading down to the stream feeding the reservoir.
Leaving the fields and into the woods, before a very steep climb up to cross the
rail tracks for the Bluebell line.
The other side we turned up a tarmacked track that paralleled the rail line, and
just caught a train as it passed - but obscured by the trees
At an open parking area we entered into Gravetye estate, turning down through
the woods
After winding around the woods for a while we ended on a gravel road that led
down to the hotel/ restaurant past some more open parking. At the hotel the path
dropped down the side - hidden away from the guests.
Across teh end of Lower lake and up the other side before turning across the
vista of teh big house/ hotel.
looking over to the Gravetye Manor.
We struggled to find the path down to the other side of the hotel, however after
fighting some bracken and brambles we eventually found the gate onto the road.
Leaving the road when it curved back above the hotel and through the forest to
exit onto the Vowels lane. We had to circle around a new development of holiday
cottages to reach the road.
Down Vowels lane until we could take a farm track to Selsfield Place. Through
the house and its specimen trees
Into and out of the small Selsfield common, and then along an old pathway
leading north between fields.
The track continued up to the B2110.
On the otherside of the road we followed a driveway down passing Pots &
Pithoi. Continuing down to reach a turning circle beside a livery yard.
Through some paddocks and into open grass fields. These came out on a back lane
in Turners Hill. We followed the footpath down the B2028 towards Crawley Down to
the performance car garage.
A gateway showed the path on a road up to a reservoir. The road ended and the
path continued in the general direction.
Into Hundred Acre woods coming out beside the Rowfant Business centre and
Timberstore. Here we arrived back at Worth Way and the SBP.
Down the SBP returning along the reverse of this mornings route. Ending up back at the car park and the waiting van.
