Harrisons Rocks Walk & Eridge Circular – Guide & Map

For an easy walk in the High Weald, passing by notable landmarks, the Harrisons Rocks walk is ideal. This circular walk takes you through the beautiful scenery of this Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty, the famous Harrisons Rocks and the gorgeous house of Groombridge Place. The Harrisons Rocks walk is a must-do for walkers of all levels!

I have done this walk as part of a longer trail from Crowborough to Eridge via Rotherfield and Groombridge. However, this walk takes nearly 5 hours so it requires some stamina. I made it shorter in this post to make it more accessible and to outline the highlight of this walk: the Harrisons Rocks!

Disclaimer 1: For more information about trails passing by the Harrisons Rocks, please note that London-based hiking groups organise walks in this area. You can find more information on these groups in my post here.

Disclaimer 2: I designed the way back from Groombridge to Eridge using the OutdoorActive platform following the path from a Tunbridge Wells circular route.

Logistics of the Harrisons Rocks Walk

Highlights of the Harrisons Rocks Walk

• Eridge Park Village, East Sussex
• The Harrisons Rocks
• St Thomas Apostol Church
• Groombridge Place
• Groombridge, East Sussex

The Harrisons Rocks Walk

So now we covered the basics of the places the Harrisons Rocks walk takes us to, let’s get started!

Eridge

Our walk starts at Eridge train station in Eridge Park village, East Sussex. Opened on 8th August 1868, the station links Eridge to London Bridge. The village’s name comes from “Eagle Ridge“, a ridge frequented by Eagles.

The village is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is the home of varied wildlife with birds and dragonflies as well as flora with 167 recorded species of lichen.

When you come out of the station, make a U-turn to join Forge Road, behind the train station. Walk on the road and you go by the Renby Farm. If you are lucky you may encounter friendly poneys on the field.

Continue on this road until you reach Harrisons Rocks.

Harrisons Rocks

Welcome to the Harrisons Rocks, the highlight of this walk!

But what are the Harrisons Rocks?

Located in Birchden Wood, the Harrisons Rocks are a sandstone “tor“, a freestanding and steep rock excrescence rising in the middle of a shallow hilly landscape.

The Harrisons Rocks are a haven for rock climbers who can enjoy “top rope” climbing. Top rope climbing is a type of rock climbing in which the climbers are securely attached to a rope passing through anchors all the way to the top. Due to the fragile and friable nature of the sandstone, this is the only way to climb the Harrisons Rocks. They are around 400 hundred possible climbs on the site ranging from the shortest at 15 ft (5 m) to the highest at 30 feet (9 m).

The British Mountaineering Council manages the site. For more information, please visit their website.

Walk alongside the Harrisons Rocks until the path diverts into the forest. You enter Birchden Wood, a 103.5 acre (42-hectare) woodland managed by Forestry England. On the other side of the forested area is the village of Groombridge.

Related Content: Symonds Yat Rock Walk

Groombridge

This is a village with a rich history!

Lying on the border of East Sussex and Kent, the village’s first reference dates back to the Saxon times (410-1066AD). There was a settlement on the north side of a stream now called The Grom, protecting the bridge across the creek from any potential invasion. The leader in charge of the protection was called the Groman. The name Groombridge derives from Groman Bridge.

In 1286, the village was allowed a weekly market and a yearly fair, which was a great honour at the time. The market remained until the 1950s however the fair lost popularity and ceased at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Fun fact: The legend says that the fair used to close each year with a blazing barrel being sent rolling down a hill.

Let’s fast forward to 1618 when the village’s Manor was acquired by John Packer, a wealthy man who kept his word. He disapproved of the Royal plan to marry Prince Charles to the Spanish Infanta as Spain was (and is still) a Catholic country. He was quite vocal about the fact that if the plan fails, he would build a Chapel on the Manor’s land. As Prince Charles did not succeed in wooing the Infanta, John Packer executed his plan and build a Chapel which he ironically dedicated to St Charles.

An interesting landmark in Groombridge village is Groombridge Place, where this walk is taking us next.

Groombridge Place

When you come out of Birchden Wood, walk on Eridge Road. Before reaching Groombridge village, take the footpath on the right which leads to Groombridge Place.

There were many houses built on this site over the centuries. The first mention dates back to 1239 when a moated castle was erected. During the same year, a chapel was added. The land went through many different owners over the years. It is in 1662, that the owner at the time, Philip Packer, a barrister and architect, built the house you can see nowadays. He asked for the help of his friend, Sir Christopher Wren, famous for his work rebuilding churches after the Great Fire of London.

On the site, you can also find the Drunken Garden, adored by Sir Conan Doyle and which inspired the Sherlock Holmes book, The Valley of Fear. There is also the Secret Garden, where the previous owner is thought to have buried Cicely Neville he was deeply in love with. However, this is only folklore as her body lies in Northamptonshire.

Fun fact: The Groombridge Place features in The movie “Pride and Prejudice”

To visit Groombridge Place, please refer to the website mentioned at the start of this post. If you are going during the autumn season, you may encounter mushrooms on the grass surrounding Grooming Place.

The Way Back

It is now time to walk back to Eridge. The easiest way to do so is to join the south route of the Tunbridge Wells Circular. Follow Eridge Road through fields and forested areas all the way to where we started.

If you are interested in knowing more about the Tunbridge Wells circular, you can check my article here. This walk is ideal when Spring comes as the bluebells are in full bloom.

Before taking the train back to London, make a stop by the Hunstman pub. This traditional British pub, conveniently located near the train station, offers a selection of refreshments and classic pub dishes. With an impressive bear garden at the back, this is the perfect place to end the walk.

Bon appetit!

The Harrisons Rocks Walk Map

Do you want to do the same walk? Download the map by clicking on the link below. To learn how to upload it onto your navigation app, please check my step-by-step guide here.

Final Thoughts on the Harrisons Rocks Walk

I hope you enjoy the read and you are looking for more walk ideas in the High Weald, check the walking guides below

High Weald Walk Via Balcombe Viaduct – Complete Guide

A guide to the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk

High Weald Walk Via Balcombe Viaduct – Complete Guide

Ashdown Forest Walk – In Winnie The Pooh’s Footsteps

East Grinstead Circular: A Walk From Water Into Wine

And you, what is your favourite walk in the High Weald? Let me know in the comments below.

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