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Directions

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1. Start at the Half Moon pub and walk S along Haywards Heath Road (away from the shops) for 200m before turning L at the Green and crossing road to continue down Westup Road, to L of Balcombe Primary School. Walk along Westup road, crossing railway, for around 1km until you come to bench adjacent a signpost. Do not follow the lane to L but fork R through the woods. Emerging from woods, cross the field to its top R corner and continue on FP through Westup farm.

2. Follow track around to R and then L to reach woods. Do not follow track R but continue straight through woods to gate. Cross the stile adjacent gate and turn R. There are views to the South Downs. Keep woods on R then cross open fields to Northland Wood.

3. Descend steeply to cross stream then climb out of ghyll to pick up track and reach minor road. Cross road onto FP signed for Ditton Place and continue through Jarretts Farm. Continue on FP down to another wooded ghyll then across fields. At knee-level sign for Allens Farm, follow FP to R then immediately L by sign for Dillions Vineyard.

4. Cross field to private postbox then descend through woods to stream and reach Nymans estate, joining the Sussex Ouse Valley Way (SOVW).

5. Turn R and walk adjacent to two lakes before turning L up hill. Follow this well signed path for 1km with impressive redwoods to reach National Trust car park for Nymans with adjacent team room.

6. Optional Detour – National Trust property Nymans has a Grade II listed garden with rare and unusual plant collections and views across the Weald. There is ancient woodland with an industrial past featuring a lake, cascades and bird hides.

7. Continue to B2110 to reach Handcross with the Red Lion pub and cafes/tearooms, a good spot for lunch.

8. Follow signs for SOVW, cross A23. This dual carriageway presents one of the major obstacles for the W2W corridor.  After 200m at mini roundabout turn L on slip road to A23 before shortly turning R on Slaugham Park Private Road. Follow this well surfaced route downhill for 1.5km towards Slaugham, the source of the Ouse.

9. Optional Detour– Slaugham: carry on through gate to attractive village, with “Heritage” restaurant (Thursday – Sunday) and ancient St Mary’s church.

10. Turn R turn onto FP – you are now on the High Weald Landscape Trail (HWLT), which you follow to Horsham. Follow FP to road. Turn R then shortly L. Continue on FP diagonally across field in direction of a house with a pagoda style roof. Skirt woodland on R before climbing up to gate at R of large house. Cross field heading for top L corner of field and to L of three large oak trees.

11. Reach busy B2110, cross and turn L along verge for 300m. Single file here because the verge is narrow and cars fast. Turn R at sign “Plummers Plain” and take BW downhill through woodland of conifers and beech.  Pass lake on R and climb to top of ridge with large fields on both sides before descending to stream. The BW turns L at stream then uphill before turning R at T junction.

12. Reach Old Copse Grouse Road, go straight across and follow FP down through pine woods to new bridge in St Leonards Forest. The Forest was used for hunting, and iron and charcoal production, stone quarrying, and raising rabbits. The woodland bird population is varied and it is home to rare purple emperor butterflies.

13. On reaching junction turn L following signs for HWLT then take FP opposite (you depart HWLT for a short section) and follow through open woodland to Sheepwash Gill where the path turns R to rejoin HWLT. Follow path adjacent to woods and meet another BW running L-R. Turn R.

14. Cross bridge and take FP first L through woods along valley floor to meet road. Turn L and pick up Hampers Lane. Cross Comptons Lane to Depot Road and follow for 1km approx., turning L on Barrington Road. Turn L on Station road and immediately R on New St then first R on cyclepath. Turn L at Standings Ct then R on cycleway. Turn L on North St then R on Chart Way cyclepath. Follow this into North St and continue until you reach bandstand.

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