The High Weald
After a rather fraught journey for some, 12 members and a leader made a delayed start with ideal summer walking weather into ideal summer walking country It reminded us all of the joy of seeing the English countryside spread out before us knowing we would seeon be immersed in it Yes the Dordogne is lovely but the Sussex Weald is special
Train: Out from London Bridge to Balcombe, leaving 9.41 and arriving 10.21. Or, 9.33 from Victoria, 9.40 from Clapham Junction, connecting with the London Bridge train at East Croydon but with only 6 minutes between scheduled arrival and departure. Return on the 16.36 from Balcombe.
Car: The turn into the station car park is on the right if driving south on the B2036 just after the station and the bridge over the railway. The charge for all day parking of £2.60 includes Sundays.
This is a walk in the High Weald, the heavily wooded world one looks down on when coming in to Gatwick from the south - a landscape of sandstone ridges running east to west, cut in to by deep valleys or gills, though those on our route are undemanding. Its essential character was established by the 14th Century and it is considered to be one of the best surviving medieval landscapes of Northern Europe. In the morning we will be walking westwards to the woods below Nymans then south to Stapleford for lunch; and in the afternoon eastwards then northwards back to Balcombe
The Victory Inn at Stapleford, with a good range of pub food.