Poundgate circular
By Ben Perkins
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This week, as
promised, I can
offer a walk across
the open heathland
of Ashdown
Forest designed to be linked
with the recent Argus walk
from High Hurstwood which
climbed to the edge of the
Forest but did not venture
into it.
The link point between the
two walks is at Poundgate,
where this walk starts and
finishes and which was point
six on the previous walk (The
Argus, May 19).
Today’s walk, which is circular,
and can be enjoyed on its own, is
mainly across high ground with
exceptional views and visits four
of the striking tree clumps which
are such a characteristic feature
of the area.
1.From the lay-by and
telephone kiosk at
Poundgate, cross the
road and turn left along the
opposite pavement.
After 150 yards, just short of
Old Bell House, turn right along
a signed bridleway which takes
you quickly out on to the heathland
of Ashdown Forest, where
you should fork left along a wide
forest ride with woodland on
your left and open heathland
to your right.
At the corner of the wood on
your left, turn squarely left, still
keeping the trees on your left.
Across the valley to your right,
the first of your tree clump objectives,
Crow’s Nest Clump, is now
in sight, with a radio mast
behind it.
Follow this wide forest firebreak
as it veers right and drops
gradually downhill before curving
left through thin woodland
and climbing, once again, with
trees to your left and heathland to
your right. Towards the top of the
slope follow the wide ride round
to the right along the hillside.
2.After about 350 yards
fork right, still along
a cleared strip which
now heads more or less directly
towards the tree clump.
Pass about 50 yards to the left
of the clump, joining and following
the perimeter fence round an
old radio station on your left.
Now reduced to a single but
prominent mast, the area was
once a mass of antennae, used to
broadcast propaganda to France
during the Second World War.
Where the fence veers halfleft
go ahead but after 100 yards,
turn sharply back to the left
along a wide track which rejoins
the fence and follows it out to the
B2026. Cross the road, go through
the gate opposite and onwards
along a wide grass path.
At a junction with a wide ride,
turn left and follow it as it sweeps
round the head of a combe and
up to the second of our tree
clump objectives, on the summit
of Camp Hill, so-called because it
has been the site of successive
military camps since medieval
times, one of the largest being
a gathering of 7,000 troops in 1793.
Distance/time: six miles / three hours
By car: start from Poundgate on the A26 Lewes-to-Crowborough road about two
miles south of Crowborough. Park in a lay-by next to a telephone box on the
south side of the road near the Crow and Gate pub at GR 492289.
By public transport: bus service from Tunbridge Wells, Lewes or Brighton
half-hourly on weekdays, hourly on Sundays.
What's underfoot: A fairly hilly walk, all along wide tracks or fire breaks
across open heathland.
Thirsty work: Crow and Gate pub at the start. No refreshments en route
except an ice cream van which is often stationed at point 5
So you don't get lost: OS Explorer 125 Ashdown Forest.
3.Skirt immediately to
the right of the tree
clump and, after a few
yards, at a waypost with a “WW”
logo on it, indicating the Wealdway,
go straight ahead, still along
a wide firebreak with your third
objective, the rectangular-shaped
Friends’ Clump, now in sight.
After a little more than a quarter
of a mile, the track passes
between two ponds and through
trees, passing well to the right of
a car parking area.
Pass more closely to the right of
another car park and follow the
wide green strip ahead up to
Friends’ Clump, planted in 1973
by the Friends of Ashdown Forest
to celebrate Tree Planting Year.
4.Just short of the clump,
turn right, leaving the
trees on your left and,
after a few yards, at a seat,
bear half-right on a clear, wide
grassy path which begins to drop
downhill.
At the bottom of the hill cross
a stream and follow an eroded,
undulating path along the valley.
After half a mile, it dips to cross
another stream at a place locally
known as the Garden of Eden,
where there is a small waterfall
to the left of the main path.
The path now climbs steadily.
After about 400 yards, turn right
over a plank bridge to follow
a narrower path with good views
across the valley to Camp Hill
and Friends’ Clump.
The path climbs steadily to
reach the B2026 just south of its
junction with the B2188.
5.Cross the road and
walk through the King’s
Standing car park, opposite.
From the back of the car
park, go ahead to reach the
King’s Standing tree clump,
the last of the four encountered
on the walk. The name reminds
us that this was once the site of
a “standing” or shooting box used
by royal huntsman, including
Henry VIII and James I.
Pass to the left of the clump and
follow the path ahead. It loses
a little height before contouring
along the hillside for a while and
then dropping down into a wide
valley with Crow’s Nest Clump in
view over to your right.
The path back to the start is
now in clear view ahead. It drops
down to cross a stream and
continues straight up the other
side where, at a corner of
woodland, you will rejoin your
outgoing route.
Skirt to the left of the wood,
retracing your steps out to the
A26. Turn left beside the road
back to the start.
