Slaugham Circular

By Eddie Start

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Once a vital part of an industrial process, Slaugham Mill Pond has outlived the industry that created it and is now a haven for both wildlife and people

This five-and-a-half-mile walk begins at the secluded village of Slaugham, a short distance from the busy London-to-Brighton main road but, it appears, many miles from the clamour of modern urban life.

The village sits on the High Weald with a charming village green and high street, essential components for the quintessential Sussex village.

This walk follows undulating High Weald country which is more hilly than the flatter, lower Weald to the south. There is plenty of woodland, all part of the ancient Wealden forest which stretches across this high sandstone ridge.

We visit two charming villages and pass the site of a major local industrial development, now long past its active days. The route has many twists and turns, with a number of stiles to negotiate, but there are footpath signs all the way and part of the walk follows the High Weald Landscape Trail.

1. From Slaugham village green, cross the road and walk through the lychgate into St Mary's churchyard, follow the path around the west end of the church, going slightly left and then down through on the right hand side, following the obvious footpath.

You will pass a plantation of young oak trees on your left. Further away to the left, and not visible on today's walk, are the ruins of Slaugham Place, an extensive Elizabethan mansion, the original staircase of which finished up at Lewes Town Hall when the house was dismantled.

Continue on the path and enter a small wood, taking the route down through the trees. As you emerge from these you will see a lake appearing to your right. Walk along the eastern lake embankment, noting the overflow weir.

As you pass over a bridge you will see, down to the left, the scoured sandstone where water erosion has created a deep overflow gully. This is Slaugham Mill Pond. Its mill was typical of the many industrial hammer mills which existed across the county in past times. No longer used for its original purpose, Slaugham Mill Pond is a haven for wildlife and a pleasing retreat for fishermen and bird-watchers.

Just ahead and down to the left is the mill house.

2. On reaching the disused farm buildings on the far side of the pond, go right and after a short distance turn left onto a rising track.

You are on the High Weald Landscape Trail. At the top of the rise pass Slaugham Place Farm, left. Proceed on the signed footpath, between oak trees, crossing a stile and continuing down the field edge to another stile, go diagonally right towards a pond and bungalow on the right.

The path now starts to climb the hill ahead, following the field edge at first and then takes the obvious direction towards the copse at the top of the hill, adjacent to the feature on the map shown as Upper Barn.

3. Arriving at the woods, cross the stile and then the footbridge and follow the path left through the woods, as directed by the footpath signs, which also show the High Weald Landscape Trail symbol.

On emerging from the wood, cross the stile and go diagonally right across the field towards Cuckfield Lane. Cross the road and turn left for 200 yards.

At Southgate Farm, turn right onto the signposted footpath. Follow the signs through the farmyard, right, passing stables and proceeding along a hedge-lined track.

Where the track turns sharp left, take the branch right, go ahead through a gate and into a field (where horses can sometimes be seen grazing), following the signs which indicate a stile to the left, in the corner.

Pass through North Gravelies Wood then walk downhill towards North Gravelies Farm. Pass in front of the house on the path and make for the chain-link-type swinging gate beneath the trees. Pass through the gate and head diagonally left towards a similar gate, about 100 yards on, in the left hedge.

Pass through the gate and onto a track. Turn right and walk towards the top of Colwood Hill. Beneath power cables there is a path and a stile to the right. Take this turn and follow the signed path, left, proceeding about 300 yards towards Playdells Farm.

Cross the track and a stile and go left around a field edge. As you approach Firdene Farm, note the path ahead and the stiles to cross as you make your way through paddocks, verging left, crossing a stile and keeping to the enclosed path to come onto Jeremy's Lane. Go right here.

4. After about 400 yards you will come to Wykehurst Corner.

Go right and follow Colwood Lane for 500 yards. When you come to a white painted house, Colwood Hill, on your right take the signposted footpath opposite, on your left, and head across the field, going downhill towards a hedge and stile and then forward towards a pond.

Go to the left side of the pond then, trending leftward, walk across the field towards trees, following the path and field edge on the right, climbing slightly, crossing a stile and coming to Rifleman's Cottage.

On the other side of the road is the imposing former Rifleman's Inn, sadly no longer offering refreshment to the weary traveller.

5. Proceed up the hill, right, towards Warninglid with its charming village street of cottages and gardens, making a picture at any time of year.The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson once lived here.

Walk the 300 yards through the village and come to the road junction with Cuckfield Lane and a pub on your right.

Go ahead into Slaugham Lane, where you'll come to a paved path on the right and, before long, arrive at a stile in the hedge, on the right.

6. Cross the stile and follow the path diagonally left towards the buildings shown on the map as Old Park House.

Take the enclosed path and pass between the farm buildings, crossing a farm track and continuing across the field ahead towards the right corner. Here, cross the stiles and bear diagonally left for 100 yards towards the trees and another stile.

Cross the stile and take the right path which skirts around the southern shore of Slaugham Mill Pond. The path is enclosed by hedge but there is plenty of opportunity to get a view across the pond and hear the irritated quacking of the ducks as you disturb their slumber.

You will eventually pass the fishing club hut down to your left, then come to the disused farm buildings we passed earlier. Continue around the end of the pond and retrace your steps back through the wooded path and up the hill towards St Mary's church and Slaugham village once again.