Bluebell Weekender 1/2, Linear Walk, With Steam Train Start!
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Introduction:
This is one of two day walks that we are running this weekend along with the option of camping at Kitts Camp: Link to the other walk here.
Camping: Neil (aka Nelly) and I are camping at Kitts Camp, and anybody is welcome to join us. It would be great fun to get a group of ODLs camping together!
You will need to book this independently. We will be camping on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night.
The campsite is close to Sheffield Park station, and local facilities include 360 taproom with wood-fired pizza and The Sloop inn pub serving quality roasts and other fare.
Kitts Camp web site: https://www.yampcamp.co.uk/kitts-camp
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Join me on this adventure starting with a historic journey on the Bluebell Railway and returning back through the beautiful forest and countryside of Mid-Sussex.
- Meet at the Bluebell Railway at 9.30am and have a look around.
- Catch the train at 10.30am to East Grinstead to start our walk arriving at 11.10am
- Tickets cost £15 for one way.
- Walk back and hopefully see some bluebells on the way.
Catching the Bluebell Line, a historic steam railway, we arrive at the start of our walk. Leaving the station we head east then north through the West Sussex town of East Grinstead. Picking up Forest Way, the repurposed railway line discarded from one of Beeching's cuts, in a twist of irony, the line he used to regularly commute on.
Turning right and leaving the line we head towards the old ruins of Brambletye House. Continuing to head southwest we pass Weir Wood Reservoir, a 153.5-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest. Through a section of the Ashdown Forest we make our first decent ascent of the day up to Goat Car Park.
Crossing Plawhatch Lane we press on and descend to Twyford Farm. Crossing two fords we then head into Birchgrove Wood passing a succession of lakes. Arriving in Horsted Keynes, we will pass St Giles' Church on the way, the final resting place for ex-PM Harold Macmillan.
Horsted Keynes is a quiet and unassuming village in Mid-Sussex which was home to one of the earliest known cricket matches.
Much later, two months before his assassation the U.S. President John F Kennedy is said to have stayed the night at Prime Minister Harold Macmillan's residence Birch Grove just up the road. The American Secret Service closed the village and turned the Crown Inn into a communication hub.
Leaving Horsted Keynes we will head south picking up the Sussex Border path and head into Sandpits Wood. Crossing Dainhill Brook we arrive at Freshfield Lane and follow for a short stretch. Leaving the road we pick up a footpath that leads us to Town Place Bridge, a bridge over the Bluebell Line. Hopefully our timing will be impeccable and we will see a train passing!
Crossing the River Ouse and the old canal we join the Ouse Valley Way bridlepath through our last set of woods of the day. Arriving back at Sheffield Park Station where the walk will end and the visit to the 360 taproom will start.
Parking: Do not park in the over flow car park as it maybe locked at the end of the day and we may not be back in time!!
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
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Image credit for forrest way https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Forest_Way_-_Luxfords_Lane.JPG
What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise state
Food & drink
Lots of water and a packed lunch.