For illustrated talks on natural history and history see www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

For illustrated talks on natural history and history click here for www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

Monday 28 August 2017

Cuckfield vineyards walk, about 5 miles.


The High Weald landscape trail  is a long distance path which passes through Cuckfield in West Sussex.  The Sussex landscape is changing as arable, sheep and cattle farming are replaced by vineyards.
It is this extraordinary change in land use that prompts me to share this walk with you. It is an easy walk to navigate.  From Cuckfield take the High Weald landscape trail (HWLT) westwards, with great views to the South Downs and Wolstonbury Hill, to Deaks Lane.
View to the South Downs

Wolstonbury Hill zoomed in.
At Deaks Lane turn left down the hill past the Cattery and turn right up a track, which continues as the HWLT.  in a couple of hundred metres the landscape changes dramatically.

Take the footpath through the vineyard and a wood to Broxmead Lane.  There turn right up the hill and under the canopy of a magnificent chestnut tree, which sheds yummy chestnuts on the road in some years.  At Broxmead a footpath to the right takes you through more vineyards to Deaks Lane.
(If you come to a locked gate you have missed the public footpath which dives off through the hedge, a few metres behind you, to Deaks lane alongside houses and gardens.)

As you leave Broxmead Lane
Walking eastwards along this track, Cuckfield church appears of the skyline.
View to Cuckfield church

View to Cuckfield church
As you get near to Cuckfield a detour into New England Wood is an option, emerging on a higher path above the HWLT with more fine views to the South Downs.

Chanctonbury Hill
Click on any picture to enlarge it.  A guide is not needed for this uncomplicated stroll.
Unfortunately, this path is now getting overgrown since I stopped regularly clearing it.
Please see https://sussexrambler.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/path-clearing-on-high-weald-landscape.html
for the situation in 2011.
How wonderful it would be if other Cuckfield residents now assumed path clearing of this beautiful trail.  Local and long distance walkers would be grateful.
For other, specialised walks, please see www.peterlovettwalks.eu












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