Sussex Border Path
Alfold to A29 South of Ockley (Surrey)
(8.5 Miles)
Steady, reasonably level walking on good paths and tracks which follow the County Boundary closely. Pub, shop and buses from Rudgwick.
On CAR PARKS Roadside parking is possible at Alfold Bars or at the Sir Roger Tichborne pub by arrangement with the landlord. There is no suitable parking at the A29 crossing so it is recommended that cars are left at Oakwoodhill, where there is a layby opposite the Punchbowl Inn (GR 133374). The route can be joined by walking either south to Ruckmans Farm or east to Paynes Green.
Take Pigbush Lane opposite the Sir Roger Tichborne pub for half a mile, ignoring a crossing track to pass between farm buildings and Keepers Cottage. On entering wood, bear left keeping close to left hand edge of wood and in about a third of a mile join wider track (byway) bearing left. CARE HERE – look out for a pond on your left at a path junction and turn right on the signposted bridleway. Follow this until you reach a clearing where several tracks meet. (GR 053337). Take the '3rd exit' (almost ahead and the narrowest) through woodland. After half a mile, pass through the grounds of Rikkyo School (a school for Japanese children), maintaining your direction and ignoring crossing paths and tracks. Pass through double field gates on tarmac track, and then continue ahead on grass path between hedges, finally veering right to reach the A281 road at GR 063341.
Cross A281 and continue on unclassified road opposite (Hillhouse Lane). In half a mile, at T-junction, go straight ahead over plank bridge and through deer gate into woodland. Follow path with deer fence on right and leave wood through another deer gate. On leaving wood continue ahead with fence on left to further deer gate. Cross concrete road and ascend slightly, with fine views both north and south, to enter more woodland. In wood, keep ahead where Downslink path joins from the left. (Downslink is a path linking the North and South Downs). Drop down to path junction and cross stiles on left to go ahead in field with wood on right at first. Continue up slope, heading east, keeping two pairs of oaks to left, to reach stile at edge of thin belt of trees. Go ahead along fence line, curving left until you reach stile. Keep ahead for short distance with fence on left then enter wood and follow path within wood. After sharp dip, leave wood through gate on left leading to a short section of pasture. Cross this diagonally right (east) to another gate, turn right along enclosed path leading out to B2128 road at Rudgwick (GR 091345). Turn right to reach King’s Head pub.
Immediately beyond King’s Head, take path on left through churchyard. Go through kissing gate and across rough pasture to another kissing gate. Turn left on a metalled drive which soon bears right and, in a few yards, by High Croft Cottage, go ahead along fenced path in same direction. Later cross track and stile to immediately reach a metalled track. Here you have a choice. a) The official route goes ahead across another stile into a field and on into a wood. On leaving wood, follow drive round to left of Hermongers. At T-junction with metalled drive turn left until you reach Lodge House by main entrance gate. b) At the metalled track, turn left to simply follow the drive to Lodge House. This route is marked (incorrectly) on some maps, although it does follow the actual county border.
From the lodge, take the path east over stile and head across open field, with good views to the north, towards copse on other side. Join concrete farm road and turn left. At Bury St. Austin's Lodge (GR 109352) cross north/south track, go through yard area and continue eastwards on concrete track for another three-quarters of a mile to 'Ridge Farm'. Go through farm to reach public road (GR 121355). Turn left and shortly go right on field path, avoiding Honeywood House. Continue on wide track through woodland, ignoring side tracks, to reach a road by a lodge. Then turn sharply back right and follow metalled lane to 'Monks Farm' (GR 130360). At farm turn left up course of Stane Street (Roman road) and, at top of rise, turn right on tarmac lane. When lane bears right, keep straight ahead on path through belt of trees. At crossing path, turn right for 15 yards and then left through bridle gate to follow fenced path at edge of wood. Continue through wood to dip to footbridge and then rise to reach A29 road at GR 143367.
(Revised on 16th August 2010).
Map of Sussex.
Each letter represents a section of The Sussex Border Path. Click on a Letter for information on this section of the walk.
Walking The Sussex Border Path
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