1 -In the National Trust car park at Washington Common, head for the large information board at the far side and then go left for about ten yards to follow a path, right, through the bordering trees. Immediately turn left and locate, off to the left, a three-way sign. Take a path that descends half-right, down through the woodland, enclosed in parts by mature holly trees and bushes. On coming to the local road in George’s Lane, cross to Sanctuary Lane and follow this in an area, shown on the map as Pigland, to a local road junction. Note the small wooden shelter ahead, set behind a low wall – this is the first clue to the existence of the community established here, in the 1920s, by Vera Pragnell. Inspired by the principals enunciated in the Sermon On The Mount she bought 50 acres of the common and set up her community for like-minded people, anxious to escape an increasingly materialistic and industrialised world. Known as Sanctuary, and later Sleepy Hollow, the area developed with small homes being built with adjacent plots for growing vegetables and rearing livestock, some still exist, although now gentrified. The settlers practised cottage-based activities such as spinning, weaving, sandal-making and other basic crafts.

There was dancing, singing and readings, camping on the nearby Downs and an air of community, wholesomeness and spirituality that the outside world seemed to have forgotten. However, as with other such projects, the influences of Mammon began to infiltrate. As the older members of the community passed away, their properties were passed to relatives who sold the land. Speculators, or the more traditionally wealthy, moved in; the shiny suit had taken over the domain of the smallholders’ canvas smock. Nowadays the estate, with some of the old-style houses still existing, is a quiet and exclusive residential site, with Vera’s idealistic dream only memories.

2 - From the charming, small shelter, built by Vera’s husband as a shelter for weary travellers, take the rising Vera’s Walk on the right.

Continue to the end of the surfaced drive and then follow the enclosed footpath between rhododendron bushes.

On coming to a junction of tracks and drives, turn right on the main drive, ignoring a turning off to the left. Follow the track, Hampers Lane, for one third of a mile through Heath Common. At a road junction, cross over to Merrywood Lane. Follow the quiet lane for a quarter of a mile, turning right up a bridleway.

3 -In 250 yards, just before the entrance to Little Thakeham, turn left on to a more rutted bridleway, descending between scrub and old quarry workings to a gate. Pass through the gate and turn left on the valley bottom track, to arrive at Greenhurst Farm in 300 yards. Walk beside the buildings, on the track, and just after a cottage on the right, go right over a stile into a meadow. Head for the right corner of the field, pass through hedge openings and climb the steep hill ahead. At the top of the climb go left for a few paces, passing a small stone seat, and at a sign turn right to the bottom of the hill, with nursery buildings on the left.

4 -Cross over a farm track and walk ahead to a small copse and turn right around a field, turning left in a few yards to go over a stile and plank bridge. In the next field turn left and walk to the top left corner. Pass left through the opening, heading for steps up a bank on the right and crossing into the next meadow. Walk ahead along a right fence line, cross a stile, continue for a few paces and turn right, descending to a field corner gate. Turn left to arrive beside a drive with a cattle grid on the left close to Thakeham Place Farm, which is off to the right. Turn left, passing through a gate beside the grid and walk up the lane towards Thakeham village. In 100 yards turn right towards the hilltop church and grounds, all worthy of further investigation. There is a seat for walkers thoughtfully placed just outside the church grounds.

5 -Return back along the short village approach road to the cattle grid and turn right on to the path on which we arrived. Climb the enclosed path, passing the gate we used earlier, and walk across the top of the hill to arrive at a left turn, after 200 yards. Take the turning and in a few yards pass through a gate and turn right. Our route now joins Strawberry Lane, heading south on what must have been one of the droving tracks that was used in earlier times, providing access to Thakeham village, and probably the deeper Weald beyond. The bridleway descends through woodland, passing by farm buildings in half a mile and finally coming to the four-way junction we were at earlier. Pass through the gate ahead and climb the track, veering slightly left and then turning right, on arriving beside the entrance to Little Thakeham. Descend to Merrywood Lane and turn left along the roadside to a road junction.

6 -Cross to Hampers Lane to reverse our outward route across Heath Common. Walk along the quiet road for about one-third of a mile and, on coming to a four-way junction of tracks and paths, locate the narrow enclosed footpath of Vera’s Walk, to the right of the entrance to Heath Barn, and follow this, as on our outward route.

Descend to the crossing drives in Pigland, perhaps noting the information board within the tiny shelter and reflecting on the noble ambitions that founded the community. Walk ahead to George’s Lane and take the opposite footpath that climbs back to the National Trust car park.

* Distance/ Time: Five miles, taking two and a half hours.

* By Car: One-third of a mile west of the Washington roundabout on the A24, turn north off the A283 into George’s Lane, car parking in National Trust site at Washington Common – very bumpy approach.

Start point Grid Ref. TQ114141, from the car park.

* By Public Transport: Travel details from www.traveline.info, phone 0871 2002233. Bus will stop on A283, next to Clayton Farm, walk up George’s Lane – adds three quarters of a mile to the total walk length.

* What’s underfoot: A couple of short, steep climbs but otherwise easy Wealden walking, with some surfaced access drives in Sleepy Hollow. Possible with a baby backpack, not possible with a baby buggy.

* Thirsty Work: No facilities on the walk, take a picnic to eat in the pleasant clearing next to the car park at Washington Common.

* So you don’t get lost: OS Explorer map 121, plus a compass for general direction.