Sussex Border Path
1.Rowfant to East Grinstead
2.East Grinstead to West of Dry Hill
3.Mid Sussex Link East Grinstead to Weir Wood Reservoir
A section which includes 2 lengths of disused railway, converted for recreational use with some care for landscaping.
1. Rowfant to East Grinstead (4 miles)
On reaching the road at Rowfant turn left. In about 250 yards turn right on concrete track. In further 100 yards turn left and climb up onto old railway line and follow it for 1 and a quarter miles to site of former 'Grange Road Station'. At crossing road by 'Prize Fighters' P.H. turn right and, where road curves right, continue ahead along Sandhill Lane. Curve left with lane and then keep left at fork along rougher track (Burleigh Lane). On reaching notice 'Burleigh House Farm only - Private', turn left over stile and follow right side of 3 fields. After crossing wooden rail stile, strike out across field aiming to left of building visible across valley. Cross narrow plank bridge and keep ahead over another stile uo slope with hedge and stream on left. Where these drop away on left, continue straight ahead across field aiming for middle of row of pine trees ahead. Go through gap in first hedge and cross 2 stiles 150 yards to left of 'Tilkhurst Farm', leading into another field. In just 25 yards go left on crossing track from farm. Go through gate at end of field and head across next field towards gap in trees on skyline, passing to left of pond surrounded by bushes. Go over stile and continue in same direction across next field. Keep to right of old quarry and cross stile to join old railway. Turn right along it. Follow old railway to East Grinstead.
2. East Grinstead to West of Dry Hill (3.5 miles)
GR 398383 Cross bridge over bypass in cutting. About 50 yards beyond Estcotts Drive on right, fork right on narrow metalled lane which branches off access drive to council offices. After passing houses, go ahead through gate and continue on narrow track between fences along back of housing estate. Pass an overgrown pond on right and continue on well trodden track with stream on left. On reaching A264 turn left for a few yards before turning right, straight down through cleared area to bottom corner of field. Cross stile and plank bridge and heads out NE across field aiming for gap in far corner. Continue diagonally across next field on same bearing (a pylon in the distance marks the line). On the far side go through a gateway with a stile beside it into woodland, with a pond on right. In 150 yards, ignore track to right, then cross stream and curve right with main track and climb to metalled road. Turn right and, just before reaching 'Old Surrey Hall' which faces you, turn left through gateway to 'Old Surrey Hall Coach House'. Walk up through garden and out through field gate. Bear left and climb in hollow way. At top go right along narrow sunken track with overgrown hedges. Keep left of pylon and continue between banks to road at GR 424406, and turn left.
3. Mid-Sussex Link
East Grinstead to Weir Wood Reservoir
(5 miles)
After a mile along the Forest Way on the track bed of the old railway, the SBP crosses farm land to join and follow the perimeter path of the Weir Wood Reservoir
From East Grinstead Railway Station take road eastwards past Mid-Sussex Timber Co. warehouses on left. At mini-roundabout bear right along London Road and at second mini-roundabout left along High Street. Pass East Grinstead church on left. On reaching major roundabout go right on access track leading down to Forest Way on old railway. Follow railway track bed southwards. In about 1 mile at first bridge over railway (GR 408365) climb to road and follow it downhill towards reservoir. Just short of where road ends at ‘Horseshoe Farm‘, take narrow bridleway to right. At bottom cross footbridge and go ahead along right edge of two fields. Head half left across third field, aiming to right of house. Go through gate in far right corner on to track and turn left. Bear right and left keeping to right of buildings at ‘Busses Farm‘. Beyond gate, follow enclosed path to reach edge of Weir Wood Reservoir. Turn right to follow perimeter path and fence, then lane to road junction at GR 383348. Turn left. (Updated 14th Jan 2010).
Weir Wood Reservoir
© Mike Anton 2006 www.mikeanton.com
Map of Sussex.
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