Sussex Border Path
The Moor to Ewhurst Green
(5.5 Miles)
The moated castle at Bodiam must surely be one of the finest in the country, and the Sussex Border Path provides a striking approach to it from the North. This section of the route, along clear and easy-to-follow field paths and tracks, passes through more fine undulating countryside.
On reaching the road at The Moor (GR 756296), turn right and almost immediately left. Cross next road and follow road opposite, leaving Hawkhurst Parish Church on right. At next road, go straight across and follow Stream Lane. After about half a mile, opposite a bungalow called ‘Thainstone’ on left, fork right along access drive which beyond converted oast (East Heath) on right becomes green lane. Follow this old road for half a mile, mostly well defined between banks except final section which climbs along right field edge to join road. Turn left along road and, in under 100 yards, where road bends left, keep right along metalled access drive. Go straight through buildings at ‘Conghurst’ and continue on unmade track. In 350 yards, about 150 yards short of bottom of hill, turn right along headland track with hedge on left. Where hedge ends, cross causeway and footbridge and climb with wood on right following path round to left with post and rail fence on right. Just short of buildings, turn left along track and after 100 yards, fork right along wide grassy path which descends into valley, climbs between hedges and feeds into farm track. At farm go ahead through metal swing gate and follow access drive serving several properties for half a mile out to lane. Turn right and, after 10 yards, go left through gate and diagonally up across middle of field, aiming for prominent oak tree on skyline. Go over stile next to tree and left along left field edge to second stile. Go forward for 40 yards then half right up steep bank. Go over stile in crossing fence and up across grass. Join track, bear left for 20 yards, then right, joining and following fence, keeping it on right. Feed into enclosed path, then over stile into Bodiam Castle grounds.
Walk through castle grounds and out to road through car park (GR 783254). Turn left over river bridge. After 50 yards, turn left over stile, bear left to join and follow raised river bank. After 250 yards, turn right away from river along near side of ditch (the first one you come to). On reaching Kent and East Sussex Railway, recently re-opened to Bodiam, turn right along field edge until you can cross railway using two stiles. Turn left over third stile, bear right, passing to right of barn, then over footbridge and along right field edge. In corner, cross second footbridge, bear half left across field corner to stile, then trend left to join and follow left field edge uphill. Go over stile beside gate, forward for 100 yards along left edge of second field, then left over stile, through belt of woodland and out into field through swing gate. Turn right and follow right field edge up to join road at GR 793244. Turn left into Ewhurst Green. (Revised March/April 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.
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