Vincent Hallett’s ramble around Weir Wood Reservoir starts with fine views over the Medway Valley from Stone Farm Rocks, a site of special scientific interest. The rocks were formed 135 million years ago and are part of a sandstone ridge between East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells. Weir Wood Reservoir was created in 1952 when the River Medway was dammed.

1. Walk right along Legsheath Lane from the car park to its junction with Grinstead Lane.

Turn right and cross Whillet’s Bridge.

Immediately before passing the “Welcome to West Sussex” sign, leave the road on the left and use the permissive footpath through a vineyard up to Stone Farm Rocks.

Exit the site of special scientific interest by walking east along a bridleway to reach West Hoathly Road in 200 yards.

Walk a few paces down the hill and go left onto Admiral’s Bridge Road.

At the end of the road, beyond a car park, join the footpath that follows the reservoir’s north shoreline.

There are several gates and stiles along the one and a quarter miles miles to the dam.

At the three-quarter mile point is the Millennium Picnic Spot.

Ignore all footpaths and bridleways on the left.

2. When level with the dam, go through a gate on the right and follow the Millennium Walk down in front of the dam embankment that leads to an access road to water works on the left.

Cross over the culverted sluice from the reservoir and continue ahead on the road for 600 yards.

Take the footpath on the right that starts behind a property and continue through Brakey Shaw to a junction with a concrete farm road.

Turn right and stay on this road forhalf a mile passing through South Park Farm until the road ends at Spring Hill Farm.

3. Go through a gate and continue along a gravel drive with The Hen Barn on the right.

In 50 yards the footpath turns right over a stile and up a hill to a gate.

Here a two-way finger post points the way ahead, over a brow, around a clump of trees in a hollow and down to a second gate.

On the other side continue down in the same direction to a metal farm gate that gives access onto a footpath along a track through Alder Moors.

Turn left and at a pond a diversion will be necessary to avoid a fallen tree.

Head out of the wood using a gate and walk up the hill to join Legsheath Lane next to Legsheath Cottages.

Turn right and return to the car park one mile from this point along the quite lane.

For safety reasons walk facing oncoming vehicles.

DISTANCE/TIME: Five and a quarter mile taking two and half hours.

BY CAR: Park in the Weir Wood Reservoir Nature Reserve car park. No fee. Legsheath Lane off Grinstead Lane. RH19 4HP. TQ382341.

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Rail: Three Bridges and Bus: 84, not Sundays, Stop; Blackland Farm, Metrobus. Walk north on Grinstead Lane to join the route in ½ mile at Whillet’s Bridge.

WHAT’S UNDERFOOT: There are two short but steep hills on this route. The footpath that follows the north shoreline is level. The return to the south of the reservoir is undulating. There are some stiles and 1 mile is along quiet Legsheath Lane. There is a fallen tree at the pond before entering Alder Moors requiring a short diversion.

THIRSTY WORK: There are no refreshments on route. The Millennium Picnic Spot on the north shoreline is a suggested stopping point.

SO YOU DON’T GET LOST: OS Landranger 198. Explorer 135, Ashdown Forest.