Rudgwick circular

By Eddie Start

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Rudgwick sits astride the B2128 road close to the northern border of Sussex. On this hike we head off to the western pastures and woodland, from high-level paths to waterside meadows.

1. Walk north on the roadside path, passing the village church and pub in Rudgwick and briefly crossing the county border into Cox Green. About 75 yards after a residential road on the left take the left, signed footpath for 150 yards to a four-way junction.

Turn left through a gate into a small, grassed area and make for the next gate a short distance ahead. Descend into woodland, climb uphill to a stile and enter an open field. Walk across the top of Little Hawks Hill along the left fence line, above quarry workings, and curving to the right along a row of oak trees to a stile.

Head quarter-left across the next wide field to an opening that enters woodland. Cross a double stile to a four-way path junction. Climb ahead steeply on the Sussex Border Path through the woodland, following the path as it levels-off at a stile before a wide, hilltop field. Walk across the field, with the fence on the right, to a gate and crossing track in 250 yards.

Maintain direction over the next field to the corner of woodland, pass through a deer gate and continue beside a high fence for a quarter-of-a-mile, to a minor road. Cross into Hillhouse Lane and walk for 200 yards to the farm buildings on the left at Aliblastairs.

2. Turn left, cross a stile and follow the footpath, descending between farm buildings for 150 yards to a gate. Enter the next field, going quarter-right and follow the path to a road edge.

Turn right along the road for a few paces, crossing a road bridge and locating the footpath on the opposite side. Cross with great care to the continuing south-westerly path.

Follow the signed path, taking no side turnings, through the rise and fall of Hornshill Wood for halfa- mile and pass a paddock on to a driveway with a house on the left. Follow the drive ahead to a crossing drive and turn left for 250 yards to a minor road. Cross to the opposite path, which takes a half-left direction across a wide, flat meadow to the far left corner stile. Cross out to a road and turn right to a junction with Loxwood Road in 300 yards. Turn right along the road edge for 200 yards and then turn left, opposite a house called Farriers, on to a metalled drive, signed as a footpath.

3. Follow the drive and in 350 yards, with a nursery on the right, enter the footpath on the right between hedgerows immediately after the nursery entrance. Follow the path for 200 yards and take a left turn along a right field edge, with a stream to the right.

In 250 yards, having crossed stiles, turn left along the left field edge across a succession of fields, with intermediate stiles and a plank bridge, for half-a-mile.

The path arrives at Gibbons Mill and a sign directing the path across a footbridge above river sluice gates on the left. Cross with care and in Mill House garden immediately turn right around the edge and follow the hedgeline, turning to the left after 50 yards and in a few paces turning right on to a bridleway.

4.Turn left up the track, passing farm buildings, and in 200 yards turn left. In a few yards, cross a stile in the right fence. Follow the left fence line beside trees, climbing across meadow to a path junction in 150 yards. Climb up the field, crossing a track, and walking along a right fence line to a narrow strip of trees.

Pass through the narrow woodland and cross the next field to the corner of Howick Copse. Take a line left of the copse passing a stile in 100 yards. Leave the right hedgeline at this point and strike-off to the quarter-left, to a stile into woodland in 100 yards. Descend to a plank bridge and pass through a gate, walking along a right fence-line to a gate and plank bridge.

Proceed through undergrowth, with a path sign on the left, heading for the footpath sign at the edge of the field. Continue to a hedge corner and turn half-right to cross a prominent footbridge. Climb up through a number of small fields towards Exfold Farm. Pass over a farm drive to a roadside stile.

5. Cross the road, turn right along the pavement for 300 yards and cross to a stile in the hedge opposite. Walk down the right field edge, turning briefly left and then right over a stile to cross a river in 200 yards. Continue to a hedge opening and stile, climb across the top of the field and follow the left edge to a footpath on the left in 200 yards, just before a road.

Turn left on the path, along the right hedge, descending to Wanford Bridges. Turn left up the road towards Bucks Green. At the road junction take a few paces left and cross to the opposite footpath, left of a house.

Follow the enclosed path to a field and continue up the next fields to the roadside near Canfields Farm.

6. Turn right up the road to cross a brick road bridge and at its far side turn sharply left, dropping to the Downs Link trail. Turn right on the trail and in 200 yards climb the bank on the right to cross a short section of field.

Cross the road to the opposite path, a few paces to the right, and in 100 yards cross a stile, going half-left along the left edge of the field. Keep to the ongoing path as it descends to a gully and bridge and then climbs along further left field edges to an enclosed path leading to the main street in Rudgwick.