A break in the stream of showers we have been having recently was forecast, so I planned a local walk after dropping Sue off at Brinsbury. The idea was to park at the end of Stane street above Slinfold and walk up to the edge of Rowhook, turning to Rudgwick, via Furnace lakes and Hyes. Then around to Hermongers and back to Rowhook via more fishing lakes. Back on Stane street before crossing to Charmans farm then Dawes farm and Northlands industrial park. Over A29 and into Winterfold, before crossing around the back of Mayes Park house. Back over Mayes Lane and across to Northlands Road, around Benland Wood to reach Rowhook manor. Finally reaching Rowhook for the final time and returning to the car down Stane street.
Parked in the layby beside the Roman station (nothing remains visible) and up to the junction with the A281. The path continues up a badly overgrown entrance to the bridle way along the trace of Stane street. In the woods it became easier.
At the end of the woods the path went through the garden of a cottage. Around the building and down a lane along Farthing field.
I took the track that zigzagged through the woods on paths and tracks.
Reaching the southern end of the woods the track got better and was used as a driveway.
The track ended (or started) at Furnace Barn. I took the path around the barn into a field.
The path followed the edge of the Furnace lakes although they were not visible (over a bank and fence). Next crossing the fence into a field heading towards Hyes.
At the collection of buildings, the path went aroudn a gate and along a fence line.
Into Godley's copse angling through the trees.
At the gate to a house, I turned along the driveway, then continuing when this turned off and the track became rougher.
reaching a gatehouse, I turned down the driveway to Hermongers.
At Hermongers, the drive continued through the buildings and out onto a farm lane.
When the track turned I continued across a grass field and into the woods at the end.
The track bent aroudn the edge of Germany Field whilst staying in the trees.
Through more grass fields to reach the drive to Bury St Austen's
A sharp turn onto a path along the edge of a series of reservoirs (fishing). I was not sure if I should be on the fishing track or the field edge. However the path continued into the trees from the field, so that had to be correct.
Down to cross the outfall of the lakes, then up to grass fields above the far side.
The path (invisible) cross the fields and around a pond to the edge of Millfield house. In the same direction across more fields.
A strange crossroads of paths (the sign for the one I wanted was missing) but continued up the fields. to a stile in the far corner that led to the edge of Rowhook.
Across the back road and down a farm lane into a crop field.
All around the edge of this crop field to the opposite corner. Then down to cross a stream.
Across a grass field, climbing slightly to the edge of Charman's farm. The path went along the side of the big barn in a horse field.
Through the farm on a dog leg then aroudn the gardens of a house.
Over a stream and along a field, branching into the woods on the side.
This left the tress into a sheep field, across it and down a narrow path to Dawes farm.
Behind the farm was an industrial unit with a large vets practice. Then down the concrete driveway that led to Northlands.
Through the industrial units at Northlands to the beginning of the driveway. Over the A29 and into the crop field opposite. This ended at Marches road that led into Winterfold.
Leaving the road at the entrance to Maple farm, down the drive and around the house via the edge of a horse field. The path went around the field and onto Mayes Lane next to Tanners farm.
Over the lane and into the woods on a forestry track. The track moved into a grass field
Along the edge of the field and around a corner. Climbing back up to the houses alongside Mayes Lane.
Over the lane and into the fields opposite. the path followed the edge of a sheep field and through scrub into further fields.
A long fallow field crossed close to the woods and came out onto Northlands road. Down this to a sharp bend and along a bridleway into Benland Wood.
At a cross paths I turned onto a footpath I turned into a crop field.
Across several crop fields heading west.
Over a stream and a final fallow field that led to A29.
Over the road and around the edge (or rather through the gardens) of Rowhook manor. Into an initial fallow field.
Then a series of grass fields before reaching Rowhook. Down the road to the pub
Along the driveway/ back road back to pick up the bridleway at Stane street. Down the track I had come up first thing and back to the layby.
