More cold fronts would be crossing the UK this week, so with the promise of a final sunny day I planned a walk around Ashdown forest on the Sussex Diamond Way.
I parked in the "shepherds" car park, just up the B2026 from Fairwarp next to Duddleswell. I was in the van so needed a car park that did not have a barrier. Then into the open access area through the gate at the back of the car park.
This led to a footpath that paralleled the road.
Over a driveway and onto a sandy track that continued past Fairwarp.
Along a back road until a small path led to a second back road. This road led down to the A22. Over this and down a driveway passing Marshall's manor
Behind the manor into a grass field, through fields around the edge of High Wood.
Along yet another back road at Downsteet. This led along to a black and white house. Behind the house the path led into fields.
Navigating through the fields and over a foot bridge.
More fields and a farm track
Eventually seeing down into the village of Fletching, entering the village past the church.
Through the village, past the pub to Atherall's farm, where I went through a gate (with large No entry signs and a very small "keep tot eh footpath" note underneath!)
Into fields, crossing a river and up to Spring farm.
Along the back road, until a path led into some woods passing Moyse's Farm
Along the way I past a shooting range and armourers. The path here got a bit scrappy as it led down to a wide track in woods ahead.
The path dropped down to Sheffield Mill, and a water mill that looked as if it would work.
After the mill the path climbed up to a house and a driveway. This led up to a back road that I followed to a track beside a dogs exercise field. The track crossed over to the A275 opposite the entrance to an experience farm.
Behind the farm I followed the farm track down to a stream and into the fields behind. These were campsite and maise maze before joining a path to Danehill.
I included a loop around Moaps farm to avoid a short stretch on a back road. However I re-joined it further along.
Opposite the church I turned through the graveyard, and back down to the A275. I went along this to the next bend.
Down a gravel track as it dropped down past a horse paddock to a sewage works.
A woodland track led on, and over a back road. then up a field before dropping down to a fishing lake.
The lake was fenced off to mere mortals. I passed it and joined the path around a hill shoulder.
Around the Shoulder and over a subsidiary stream before following the path into Sheffield Forest.
Through the forest on a wide path
The path continued to Stephens farm, and down its drive to cross a back road at Woolpack farm.
Along the side of a field that had a huge deer group running around in, before leaping over holes in the fences.
The path was messed up at a junction where it crossed a stream, due to some forestry work. I crossed over and continued into Hollybush Wood.
Into the edge of Nutley village, crossing the cricket/ football pitch to the A22. Over this beside the pub and into the woods beside it.
Through the woods and working around Misbourne Farm
Out onto some traditional forest with views across the Airman's grave
I dropped down the edge of the more open area to cross a stream.
Up the other side and climbing a sandy path. Then turning along the path leading back to the car park. This passed a number of residential properties dotted aroudn the open area.
The final path back to the car park followed the outward route.
