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This is one of the
simplest walking routes from the town centre to the banks of Weir Wood
Reservoir. The five mile walk includes a small section of the path bordering
Weir Wood Reservoir. From Busses Farm along the route it is easy to take
a short cut by turning back here, making a four mile walk. There are two
large
pay car parks behind the parish church off the High Street. There is
also on-street parking in Portland Road behind Middle Row.
When walking from the car park to the High Street along Church Lane two interesting buildings will be passed. First on the left hand side is East Grinstead’s pride and joy, the most complete Jacobean building of its kind, Sackville College. This was built by the Sackvilles to accommodate the family’s old servants. Earl De la Warr is the present patron. It was built in the early years of the 17th century and remains an old people’s residence. On the other side of Church Lane is the parish church of St. Swithun. This stands on high ground and is visible for miles around. The present church was built in 1787 by James Wyatt. There had been several other churches on this same site, some of wood, which were burnt down, others, through faulty workmanship simply fell down. The building contains many beautiful adornments. As you walk through the lychgate and churchyard on your way to the High Street, near the splendid iron archway notice the three memorial stones of the three martyrs who were burned at the stake in the High Street in 1556. These buildings deserve a prolonged visit. Guided tours are available for Sackville College during the summer months. As you come into the High Street from the main entrance to the church you will be facing Middle Row. The Dorset Arms pub is to the left and by this is a lane going steeply downhill. This is Hermitage Lane. Your way passes between rocks and eventually comes to a left hand bend and onto Herontye Drive. Cross over and enter Harwoods Lane. This leads to Victoria Way which you also cross to continue along the lane to a fairly sharp bend. On the left is a very solid stile close to the entrance to Great Harwoods Farm. Cross this and a second stile into the field and walk straight ahead to pass to the right of a lone tree and straight on to cross another stile to the right by a finger post. This brings you to a short enclosed path and another stile. You will now be in a large open field. Look straight ahead slightly to the right for another stile which leads to a footbridge. There is a white waymark on the post. Having crossed follow the field boundary on your left. A sewage area is ahead but just before you reach it cross a large footbridge on your right. Cross this and the stile into another large field. Turn left to follow the headland path (ie the path round the edge of the field) to a stile and small footbridge at the end. (Point “A”). Ignore the larger bridge which leads to Horseshoe Farm, but go to the right to follow another headland path, keeping the hedge on your right all the way to a field gate ahead and into another field. Here go forward alongside a wire fence to another small gate. You can now see Busses Farm ahead. Make for the field gate half left. This brings you onto the concrete track which is the main route to Busses Farm and known as Harwoods Lane. If you wish to take the shorter walk, turn right here along the concrete track away from Busses Farm. In about half a mile you pass through Boyles Farm, then on and up an incline and in another half a mile you will recognise the stile you crossed earlier by the entrance to Great Harwoods Farm. From there, retrace your steps along Harwoods Lane by crossing Victoria Way again and then Herontye Drive. Cross over here and into Hermitage Lane. This will bring you to the High Street by the Dorset Arms. (See also the penultimate paragraph). To continue on the longer route from Busses Farm which is more attractive and worth the extra mile, turn to the left on the concrete track to pass the farmhouse on your left and keeping alongside the farm buildings pass a small pond on the right. At the end of the buildings turn left to pass behind them. There will be a building on your right. A little further on go through the left hand gate of two metal field gates into an enclosed lane. This leads you towards the reservoir. When you reach an iron field gate and finger post on your right ignore them and continue towards the reservoir with the field boundary on your left and a wire fence on your right. At the bottom is a stile onto the Sussex Border Path bordering the reservoir. Turn right. Follow the fence round the reservoir crossing two stiles and at the third stile turning right by a finger post and walking away from the border path to a gap in the trees ahead. To your right here is a small pond inside a fenced area. When through the gap aim for a pylon up in the field, then on to a stile by a field gate. The path now follows the hedge on your left up to the top left hand corner of the field. Here is a notice concerning the toll path for horse riders and two stiles. Cross the one stile into the field, and walk straight ahead up this field to the next top left hand corner. Cross the stile into a small copse and another out of it. Pause to enjoy the view of East Grinstead on its hill ahead before walking down the slope to a field gate half right. Once through climb up beside trees on your right to another gate. From this next field you will see the buildings of Busses Farm ahead and a splendid view of the town to the left. Go straight ahead to a stile back onto the concrete track. Turn left. Follow the concrete track to Boyles Farm. Carry on through the farm yard. Beyond the last shed go through the gate or over the stile on your left into a field and taking your direction from the finger post walk diagonally across the field half right to the next finger post by a stile. Go slightly right after crossing the stile and look for a narrow path leading to a footbridge. Cross over and follow the path to Lister Avenue and the beginning of the built-up area. Cross straight over Lister Avenue to a footpath opposite. This path rises gradually between houses crossing over residential roads on the way to the top where it curves to the right and reaches Garden House Lane by a bright yellow bin. Turn left and continue up the road crossing over Pineway Close until you find a pathway tucked in the corner going straight on. You come out at the roundabout in Ship Street The road going uphill leads to the town centre. To return to the church, cross Herontye Drive and then right a little way and then turn left into Hermitage Lane. At the top is the Dorset Arms pub. This was once a well used staging post on the 58 mile coach road from London to Lewes and Brighton. Later a toll-house was built a little further on down the road. Here tolls were collected to raise money for repairs needed to the roads. To return to the car park, cross the road from the pub straight ahead to the main entrance to the church. Here take the brick path half right to the lychgate and then left to the car parks. Facing the car parks is Chequer Mead Arts Centre where refreshments are served and there may well be an exhibition to enjoy. |
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