Forest Row to Hartfield

By Eddie Start

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View south across the Medway valley, close to the village of Hartfield, home to Winnie The Pooh creator AA Milne

This is a lengthy but easy walk, along clear well-marked paths. A steady but gentle climb at the start takes you up on to the northern slopes of the Upper River Medway valley, with fine views to Ashdown Forest.

Dropping down to cross the river, the village of Hartfield and its two conveniently-located pubs, is reached after about five miles. The return route follows part of the Forest Way, along the track of the old railway - three miles of easy, level walking.

1. From Forest Row, walk along Station Road, which leaves the B2110 next to the Forester's Arms pub.

Where the road ends, pass to the left of Forest Row Social Club, head across a car park where a stone plinth indicates a public footpath and go through the gap in the hedge. Cross the driveway of a house and follow the track which starts almost opposite it. Before long, it passes to the right of a water-treatment works.

The initially enclosed track continues left, along the edge of a field. When you reach the corner of the field, aim straight ahead over the stile and follow an enclosed path steadily uphill. It is overgrown at first but improves after the next stile. The path finally emerges on to the drive of a house, which is where you should turn left.

2. After about 200 yards, just short of Grove Farm Cottages on the right, turn right over a stile and follow the track along the left of the field.

At the first corner, ignore a signed path to the left, go over a stile and take the rising path along the left edge of the next field.

At the top of the slope, follow the field's edge round to the right for 20 yards until you reach a stile on the left, in the hedge, which you should climb over.

Keep close to the left-hand edge of the next two fields while heading east. In the second field corner, go over a stile and bear very slightly right, up and across the field.

3. Cross the track using the two stiles and go ahead across high ground to join another left-hand field edge.

From this path there are good views to the right, across the Medway valley to the treetops of Ashdown Forest. In the corner of the field, cross a stile beside the gate and go forward alongside the fence on the left.

After a few yards, where the field edge turns squarely away to the left, aim ahead across the large field which begins to descend. The right of way drops down to skim a corner of woodland which protrudes into the field from the right and then veers left. A faint path suggests most walkers take a more direct route down to the stile in the far field corner.

A well-waymarked path, part of the High Weald Landscape Trail, continues through fairly open woodland and then along the left edge of the next three fields. In the third field, you get the first glimpse ahead of Hartfield Church spire, which you should aim for.

The path then skirts the left side of a large pond and without changing direction, leads out across a field where there should already be a path through the crops, if any are growing. At the far end of the field, join the drive of St Ives Farm.

4. The High Weald Landscape Trail continues over the stile opposite but you should turn left along the drive.

After about half a mile, turn sharply back to the right, along a tree-lined path, signed as a bridleway. It skirts to the right of some outbuildings, crosses a driveway and continues down through a wood.

Where the bridleway divides, keep left - in effect straight on. Leave the wood and continue between fences, crossing the River Medway and subsequently a bridge over the old railway.

Carry on along the well-trodden and signed bridleway, making sure you disregard a signed footpath on the left, before you skirt the left side of Hartfield cricket ground to reach the B2026. Turn right into the village, which boasts two pubs and a fine church with a soaring shingled spire and a 16th Century cottage over the lych gate.

AA Milne, author of the Winnie The Pooh books, lived in Hartfield and further along the village street is a shop dedicated to the sale of Pooh Bear merchandise.

5. When you are opposite the Anchor Inn car park, turn right along the path, with a signpost indicating the Forest Way, which squeezes to the left of tennis courts.

Continue along the well-signed track through several fields to join the Forest Way along the route of the obsolete railway.

Turn left and follow the disused railway for three miles of pleasant undemanding walking, although take care to avoid the speeding cyclists on this popular route, which links East Grinstead and Groombridge.

As you approach Forest Row, you will come to a large notice-board on the right of the path which provides information about the Forest Way. At this point, turn left along the clear path.

Ignore the narrow path ahead and after only a short distance, bear right with the main path which brings you out into the small recreation ground within yards of the start.