Sussex Border Path
Ewhurst Green to Rye, East Sussex
(14.5 Miles)
A series of attractive field paths, now in much better shape than when the Sussex Border Path was first established in the early 1980s. The last 6 miles follow the Rother river bank and present no difficulties.
After passing Ewhurst Green church on right and soon after ‘White Dog’ P.H. on left, turn right through gap and along left edge of field. After 350 yards, turn left over footbridge and follow right edge of orchard. At far corner of orchard, turn right over footbridge and walk beside hedge, parallel to road until you can join road through double gateway at GR 805247. Turn right along road for 150 yards and, just before reaching bridge over stream, go left over stile and follow stream bank. At corner of first field, cross stream by footbridge and cross next field (ESE) aiming for far corner and disregarding path, more obvious at time of writing, which heads for footbridge. From far field corner, narrow path winds through trees and scrub. Go straight across next field (still ESE) to find and cross another footbridge. Keep along left edge of next field and, in 200 yards, cross stream on left via culvert. Proceed along valley with stream on right, over stile beside gate and out to road at GR 820243.
Cross road into driveway opposite and immediately turn left along path, parallel and to left of drive to ‘Strawberry Hole Cottage.’ Emerge into field and diverge at about 10 degrees from left field edge to find and cross stile. From here to Northiam, used and mapped route differ slightly so care is needed. Head slightly left across field, following carefully defined strip. After about 150 yards, turn squarely right, still along defined cross-field path. Join and go ahead along left field boundary. After 70 yards, in field corner, go ahead along narrow path through scrub, over wooden causeway and on along right field edge. From field corner, gravel path leads ahead between houses to A28 at Northiam (GR 829245).
Turn right along road and after 200 yards, fork left along slip road, past low metal posts. Beyond second set of posts, go left along gravel drive which soon curves right past cottages. Where drive bends left, go over stile beside gate and follow left field edge, soon curving right and losing height. At bottom of slope, go through gap and on in same direction across next field. Join and follow ditch on left, ignoring plank bridge over this ditch. After less than 100 yards, fork left across culvert within belt of trees and follow cross-field path, diverging at about 20 degrees from power lines on right. From other side of field go ahead along narrow path which winds through woodland. Cross plank bridge and climb bank to leave wood, then head slightly left across corner of field beyond. Cross plank bridge and go ahead with fence and bank on right. After 80 yards, go ahead over stile and keep to right of hedge of mixed holly and mature trees. Join road at GR843242.
Turn left and, at road junction, fork right along Rectory Lane. In 160 yards, immediately beyond garden of large white house, where road bends right, turn left through gate, forward along drive for a few yards, then right through second gate. Cross corner of paddock to stile, a few yards to right of gate and continue in same direction across coarse pasture field. Cross ditch and remains of stile a few yards to right of far left corner. Follow left field edge, passing small pond on left and curving left. After 60 yards, go through wide gateway and head half right across field (no defined path through crop at time of writing). Go over stile where two sets of power lines meet and follow wide grass strip out to join road at Beckley through gate (GR 853420).
Turn left along road and, in 170 yards, just past Beckley village hall, turn left over stile and follow trodden and partially waymarked path through old orchard, now reverting to picturesque neglect. Enclosed path then squeezes to left of sewage works. At upper corner of works area, bear half right across yard, over two stiles and forward across grass, parallel to sewage works road on right, to reach A268 road at GR 855247. Turn right and, shortly, go left through gap and follow right field edge gently uphill. Near top corner, go over stile on right, cross field corner to second stile and head across next field using solitary tree as marker. Go through narrow belt of trees, continue across field and over stile by corner of woodland. Follow enclosed path with wood on right and row of planted trees on left. Follow this wide path out to lane and turn right.
After about 200 yards, just beyond cottage on left, turn left through metal field gate and follow left edge of field. In field corner, go through gate, forward to second gate, then right to follow right field edge,. From field corner go ahead along fenced woodland path. Leave wood over stile and head slightly right across next field to second stile. Go forward through scattered trees, veering very slightly left across pasture to cross third stile. Go forward along left field edge to stile in corner then head half right across next field. On other side of field, cross stile and footbridge, then go right over humped brick bridge, along right field edge for 50 yards and through gate. Turn left with fence on left. Where fence turns away left, go ahead across field, over stile and across rough pasture to another stile. Now veer slightly left and follow path which takes straight line course across large field where right of way is marked by occasional wayposts. Go over stile and through copse to join road and turn left.
Follow road across River Rother and immediately turn right along signed bridleway along river bank with river on right. Follow river for 6 miles to Rye. At GR 915254, cross B2082 and at GR 936244, divert briefly away from river to join road and turn right. Just short of road bridge over Rother, go left across junction of Royal Military Canal and River Rother with Iden Lock on your left, then turn right to resume progress along Rother river bank with river on right. At GR 926206, turn right along A259, across river and into Rye.
(Revised May 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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