A hot sunny day was forecast, so it was just me today as Bertie needed shade.
I headed over to Scaynes Hill with the idea to do a loop around the bottom
half of the Bluebell railway. I had seen a small car park on the edge of
Scaynes Hill village (no barrier) and could access the Ouse valley way
following it up to Lindfield on the edge of Haywards Heath. Then working over
to the Bluebell line and Horsted Keynes station (away from the village), and
turning up the side of the railway line to meet the Sussex Border path. Down
the border path to the village of Horsted Keynes. Continuing on the border
path until it crossed the Ouse valley way again just over the Bluebell line,
using the Ouse valley way to return to the car.
Parking in the small car park at the end of Scaynes Hill common, and setting off up the Ouse valley way, which left from the end of the car park. This was really a driveway to a group of houses.
When the driveway ran out the track moved into the trees of Cosstells wood on a large path. Staying on this as it came out of the trees into fields
crossing more fields and over a back road into a ploughed field
Passing Little Walsted farm on a wide track before crossing a stream and climbing up to farm track.
Turning along the farm track into the village of Lindfield, alongside a wild flower meadow.
Up beside the church and over the B2028. I continued up past a small close of buildings and out into a field.
This was the wrong way for me as I should have left the Ouse valley way in the village, and I had to turn around. Luckily the locals had a walk around the field that got me back on track.
On the lane leading to Fullingmill farm, then on to Buxshalls - a large cattle farm.
through the yard and out a hidden path to Bursteye and Hillhouse farms.
from Fullingmill farm I followed the edge of a ploughed field up to a farm lane that led to twin farms,
Beyond the farms the path left the lane and dived into the undergrowth, this turned into heaver woods.
A sunken track led to cross the B2028 once again and down a house drive opposite. The path separated into a Christmas tree plantation.
The path route had changed to go around the trees and also the vines in the next field. Then down the drive to Goodenwick farm.
Yet another plantation beyond the farm with a re-routed path. Over a stream and into the woods beyond.
climbing through grass fields towards teh Bluebell railway line
Over the railway and onto a cattle farm yard with another hidden exit - this time they had spread limestone to try and manage the mud
Dropping down to the railway again and onto a back road leading to the station. A train had just passed through a bit far away for photos. I had hoped to see more but that would not happen today.
Down the entrance track to the station past all the workshops and yards.
On past the station building and the visitor environment, heading for the large car park.
Up the "private" track leaving the car park to reach a footpath past some cottages. This crossed the line again.
The path curved around on the other side and back to the edge of the line - a great place to see the trains (if any would come along!)
After following the line for a while we crossed on a foot crossing and into fields on the far side. The track veered away from the line here and headed to Tanyard where it met the Sussex border path
Over the back road and through a hidden gate into a grass field leading down to a stream crossing on the weir.
climbing up along side a wheat field
Dropping down to cross a stream and climb the opposite bank among the tree roots.
A grass field (separated by a wire fence) led to back roads with a zigzag onto broadhurst manor lane
Down to the manor of the same name and around the edge to pick up a track leading down to a series of fishing ponds.
Along the chain of ponds down to a bigger chin of lakes and crossing the dam of the biggest.
Up the other side climbing to the village of Horstead Keynes.
The village green and a pause for a drink and some food, before continuing along the border path.
Leaving the village across a field and onto a dirt lane into some woods
Across a stream and climbing up to meet a driveway to Latchetts (a group of houses). Down the driveway to a backroad.
Over the back road and down a farm track t Butchers barn
Around the barn and along a grass field to a crossroads of paths. the border path took a sharp turn here.
Along the field again and into Northland woods. There seemed to be some signs and marked paths in these,
Around Northlands farm and back into the woods after crossing a back road.
The track came out into open fields .. first fallow then into a wheat field.
before dropping to the railway line and crossing under it (for the last time)
Across grazing fields to Freshfield Mill farm - there was a huge field leading into smaller nursery fields that eventually came out onto a back road.
past the pub before turning down a path past more buildings. This was now back on the Ouse valley way.
Around the houses and into the fields beyond following the mown strips to Pegden
a small track leading to huge grass fields with an obvious path leading to the buildings at the edge of the village of Scaynes Hill.
Aroudn the houses and down the drive that came out at the car park. Opening up the hot car ready for lunch.
