Wadhurst and the High Weald

This walk through the unspoiled countryside of the beautiful High Weald was enjoyed by nine of us plus Susan’s handsome Irish wheaten terrier. In terms of uphill and downhill it was not very demanding; the weather was pleasantly cool, dry and with a little sun; and the dreadful mud we had experienced on the reccie had almost completely dried out. The route was fiddly to follow, sometimes without any visible footpath across fields and with signposts obscured by foliage. But thanks to Andy asking a passing motorist where we actually were at one point, we managed to get back on track.
At first we followed the Sussex Border Path and then turned towards Tidebrook and Mayfield. We walked over gentle undulations and small streams, through very English woods and numerous breathtakingly beautiful meadows full of a great variety of wild flowers including the largest clusters of orchids we had ever seen in one place. It was truly spectacular.
The afternoon walk took us through Batts Wood, a nature reserve, then along Wadhurst Lake and across some farmland to Stonegate Station. It was only near the end that we saw our first arable field; all others had been meadows or pasture for sheep or cattle.
Although the walk was fairly long (about 12 miles) it did not feel too hard as the beauty of the countryside, combined with 99% absence of road walking, made it very enjoyable. In addition we had a lovely lunch at the Rose and Crown in Mayfield where the staff were very friendly, the food superb and the resident chocolate-coloured labrador as docile as ever.
All in all, a great walk.
Margaret P. and Joy P.