In 1372 Edward III granted the “Forest of Ashdon” to his third son, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The small collection of hunting lodges which grew up at the northern edge of the forest to provide relaxation for the noblemen after their hard day’s hunting gradually evolved into the present-day Forest Row.  

Start from the Forester’s Arms car park (Park in 'more than 2 hours' area!) in the Hartfield Road, Forest Row. Parking is also possible in the Forest Row Community Centre opposite. 

Take the narrow way onto the village green opposite the Forester’s Arms, turn left and walk forward to a row of short posts which mark the avenue of young trees to the right of the timber yard. 

At the end, go left to cross a footbridge onto the old railway track, now the Forest Way. 
Here go left a few yards to the wooden planks of the bridge, then right to a footpath between fences which passes behind the Scouts’ hut. This brings you to the drive to Tablehurst Farm, (a lovely restored farmhouse). Turn right. 

From the farmyard the concrete path to your left is your way, (High Weald Landscape Trail). Heading north the track bends to the right and ends abruptly at the entrance to a field. 

Turn left here and follow the enclosed path to a stile pausing to enjoy the panoramic view to the south east, then straight on (keeping to the right of way near the edge of the wood on your right,) to another stile leading into a wood ahead. 

The broad path through the woodland is easy to follow until you reach a way-marking post on your left. Here turn off right and follow this narrow path up to a junction of four paths. 

Take the path on the right. Now follow the brambles and bushes on your left to a corner where the farmer has provided a seat. The view from here is outstanding. 

Ahead is Ashdown Forest across the Medway Valley. Forest Row and Weirwood Reservoir will be round to the right and the village of Hartfield to the left. The field is organic and becomes a sea of wild flowers in spring. (See paragraph below marked (*) for Longer Route). 

The Shorter Route: Continue round the corner of the bushes to a stile and gate. Do not cross, but turn round to face south and follow the faint path downhill, keeping over to the left to pass by the farm and Pixton Hill Grange on the right. Continue to follow the track to pass Emerson College also on the right. 

On your map this might be labelled “Pixton” as it was once the home of Admiral Sir Stanley Colville. The college is connected with the Rudolph Steiner School in Forest Row. 

When past the college look to the left for a footpath which will be where the longer walk joins yours. 

(†) Go on a few more yards to a footpath and way-mark on your right. Go downhill with the hedge close by on your left. Cross the fence at the bottom and go to the right to follow the line of the river and so through a gap into the next field. 

Keep in the same direction until you are almost at the buildings of Tablehurst Mill. The mill has long since disappeared. 

Look down to the left for a footbridge, cross it then straight on to a second bridge, and on again to cross a stile and on up steps onto the Forest Way. Turn right. 

In about 100 yards look for a path down on the left to a stile leading into a field. Now look to the right for the buildings of the timber yard you passed on your way out. 

Walk towards them to cross a stile half way along the wire fence. Turn left. Turn right at the corner and walk along the avenue of young trees back to the car park. 

(*) The Longer Route: The best time to take this route is in May when the bluebells are in bloom. It is truly a lovely sight - the scent fills the air. 

From the seat, turn the corner behind it to a stile and gate. Cross over and continue straight ahead into the next field. In front of you there will now be a tall mast and buildings. Go to them and cross the stile into the yard and leave it via another stile. This brings you to a corner of Cansiron Lane. 

Cansiron Lane is said to be an ancient track pre-dating the Roman occupation. Turn right to enter Highams Wood. Follow the bridleway (sometimes muddy) until you emerge into the open above Ashdown Farm, and school. Follow the bridleway down keeping close to the wood on your right. 

At the bottom by the first pond on your right, the track curves away to the left to reach two more ponds with seats. Why not stop to enjoy the peaceful scene? To continue, follow the bridleway out to meet a lane with a hard surface. Go straight on uphill to pass through the farmyard and on to start walking along the long drive across fields of crops. 

Behind the trees on your left is Ashdown House School - the prep school once attended by Lord Linley. The house was built in 1795 for Lord Heathfield, Baron of Gibralter by the architect Benjamin Latrobe who also designed the White House in America. 

Continue along the drive looking out for another road turning sharply off to the right. This is marked “To Heasemans and Cobbers”. Follow this as far as a “Private” sign where you turn off left to follow the path which runs alongside a wooden fence to reach the entrance lane to Emerson College. 

Turn left here and join the shorter route to return to the village. See paragraph with the sign (†). 

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Walk route: "Printable map"