Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the High Weald has a lot t offer for walks. From a gentle stroll in Rudyard Kipling’s village to a challenging hike around Balcombe, from endless heathland pointed by yellow gorse to Winnie the Pooh’s magical forest, the variety of walks in the High Weald won’t cease to amaze you!
At a glance
In a hurry? Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with the table below summarising the best walks in the High Weald. I go into more detail about each walk in this post.
| Walk | Distance | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balcombe Viaduct | 17.1 miles (27.5 km) | 6 hours 45 min | Challenging |
| Ashdown Forest | 14.8 miles (23.8 km) | 5 hours | Intermediate |
| Harrisons Rocks | 3.6 miles (5.8 km) | 1 hour 30 min | Easy |
| East Grinstead | 11 miles (17.7 km) | 4 hours 40 min | Intermediate |
| 1066 Trail | 15.9 miles (25.59 km) | 5 hours 30 min | Intermediate |
| Hastings to Rye | 13.2 miles (21.24 km) | 5 hours 15 min | Intermediate |
| Burwash Walk 1 | 2.4 miles ( 3.9 km) | 1 hour | Easy |
| Burwash Walk 2 | 10.3 miles (16.6 km) | 3 hours 45 min | Intermediate |
| Borde Hill Garden | 4.2 miles (6.6 km) | 1 hour 50 min | Easy |
What is the High Weald?
Stretching over 560 square miles (1450 square kilometres) the area of the High Weald covers part of Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex. Tucked between the North and the South downs, the High Weald ground is mainly composed of sandstone and clay from the Cretaceous period.
The High Weald was known to be a densely forested area, however, deforestation over the centuries for farming and for manufacturing is responsible for the decrease in woodland areas. Nonetheless, it remains England’s most wooded site.
Evidence of settlement in the region goes back to the Mesolithic. Later, the area came under Roman domination. During that time, the production of iron, a metal much needed for the production of weapons, thrived.
During medieval times, farming developed in the region. Animal grazing was perfect to keep the land clear of trees which turned the High Weald into an ideal spot for hunting, a sport adored by members of the royal family.
With the rapid growth of the railway in the nineteenth century, access to the High Weald became easier for Londoners. Whilst some went on a pilgrimage to the popular Tunbridge Wells and its “holy” water which is said to cure all sorts of diseases, others chose to invest in lands and built prosperous countryside estates.
Nowadays, farming remains the main sector of employment in the region. However, very few are working in this industry, most of the locals being commuters working in London or in nearby coastal towns.
Best Walks in the High Weald
So now we have covered the basics, it is time to discover the best walks you can do in the High Weald.
1 – Balcombe Viaduct Circular
We start our selection of the best walks in the High Weald with this scenic route from the lovely village of Balcombe, Sussex to a magnificent viaduct and an impressive reservoir. And if you like water sports, you can even add some canoeing or SUP to the hike to cool down in the summer heat!
Read the complete walking guide here.
Logistics for the High Weald Walk
- Distance: 17.1 miles (27.5 km)
- Ascent: 1673 feet (510 m)
- Walking Estimate: 6 hours and 45 minutes at an average speed of 5km/h
- Difficulty: Challenging
- How to get there: Direct trains from London Blackfriars. Note that the train also stops at London Bridge. As it is a circular walk, you can book a day return ticket. The journey takes 45 minutes from Blackfriars.
- Additional Information: Public toilets are available at the Activity Center where we stop for lunch
Highlights of High Weald Walk
- Balcombe Village
- Balcombe Lake
- Wakehurst
- Ardingly College
- Ardingly Reservoir
- Balcombe Viaduct
- Borde Hill Garden
Balcombe Circular Walk Map
2 – Ashdown Forest & Winnie the Pooh Walk
Step into the magical forest which inspired AA. Milne, the author of Winnie the Pooh. Walk through the real-life Gill’s Lap, Enchanted Place, 100-Acre Wood and the unmissable Pooh Bridge. Make the charm of the place last even longer by ending the walk at the Pooh Corner Tea House for an enchanting experience.
Read the complete walking guide here.
Logistics of the Ashdown Forest Walk
- Distance: 14.8 miles (23.8 km)
- Total Ascent: 1168 ft (356 m)
- Walking Estimate: 5 hours
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Direct train from London Bridge to Ashurst. The Journey takes 50 minutes. It is a circular walk so you can book a day return ticket.
- Where to eat: The Anchor Inn, Hartfield / Pooh Corner, Hartfield
- Additional Information: There are no public toilets on this walk, however, there is a pub stop in Hartfield
Highlights of the Ashdown Forest Walk
- Ashurst Village, Kent
- Withyham Village, East Sussex
- Ashdown Forest
- 100 Acre Wood
- Gill’s Lap
- The Enchanted Place
- Pooh Bridge Stick
- AA Mile Memorial
- Hartfield Village, East Sussex
Ashdown Forest Map
Download the map of this walk by clicking on the button below. To learn how to upload the map on your navigation app, go to the end of this article for more information.
3 – Harrisons Rocks & Eridge Circular
An easy walk but big in discoveries. In under 2 hours, you get to walk along the Harrisons Rocks, a wall of sandstone rocks adored by rock climbers and enter the Groombridge Place Enchanted Forest, a park full of adventures for the whole family!
Read the complete walking guide here.
Logistics of the Harrisons Rocks Walk
- Distance: 3.6 miles (5.8 km)
- Total Ascent: 30 ft (9m)
- Walking Estimate: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- How to get there: Direct train from London Victoria to Eridge and same for the return so you can buy a day return ticket. Please note that on Sundays, the train from London Victoria ends at Oxted, so you will need to change there to continue your journey to Eridge.
- Additional Information:
- There are no public toilets on this walk
- This is a dog-friendly walk
- Where to eat/drink: The Huntsman Pub, Eridge
Highlights of the Harrisons Rocks Walk
- Eridge Park Village, East Sussex
- The Harrisons Rocks
- St Thomas Apostol Church
- Groombridge Place
- Groombridge, East Sussex
Harrisons Rocks
Let’s go for a climb!
Car Park Fares: £1/hour, £4/Day, £6/24 hours
Summer Opening Times: 8 am – 10 pm
Winter Opening Times: 8 am – 5 pm
Website: www.thebmc.co.uk
Groombridge Place
The Enchanted Forest
Price: Adult – £12, Under 12 – £10, Over 60 – £10
Opening Hours: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Activities: Canal Boat, Birds of Prey Show, Crusoe’s Kids Adventure World, Giant Tree Swings, Kids Adventure Wooden Fort, Giant Chess Game, Park Animals, The Gardens
Website: www.groomsbridgeplace.com
Harrisons Rocks & Eridge Walk Map
Download the map of this walk by clicking on the button below. To learn how to upload the map on your navigation app, go to the end of this article for more information.
4 – East Grinstead Circular
Among the best walks you can do in the High Weald there is the East Grinstead Circular. From the Weirwood Reservoir to the Kingscote Estate Vinyard not far from West Hoathly village where a pub stop is conveniently located for a break, here is a walk that knows how to mix nature, food and drink!
Read the complete walking guide here.
Logistics for the East Grinstead Circular walk
- Distance: 11 miles (17.7 km)
- Ascent: 919 ft (280 m)
- Walking Estimate: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Direct train from London Victoria. The journey takes 1 hour
- Where to eat: The Cat Inn, West Hoathly
- Where to drink wine: Kingscote Estate, East Grinstead
Highlights of the East Grinstead Circular Walk
- East Grinstead town centre
- The Weird Wood Reservoir
- The Gravitye Manor
- The Kingscote Estate
- Eat at the Railway Tavern
East Grinstead Circular Map
Download the map of this walk by clicking on the button below. To learn how to upload the map on your navigation app, go to the end of this article for more information.
5 – Tunbridge Wells Circular
If you are looking for a bluebell walk, this is the one you need to do. Dive into a purple sea with this challenging forest hike around the beautiful thermal baths town of Tunbridge Wells. This walk is best done in Spring time when the bluebells are in full bloom.
Read the complete walking guide here.
Logistics for the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk
- Distance: 18.75 miles (30.15 km)
- Ascent: 529 m
- Walking estimate: 7 hours and 15 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Trains from Charing Cross Station. The journey takes just under an hour.
- Additional Information: There are no public toilets on this walk
- Pub Stop: Claremont Pub, Tunbridge Wells
Highlights of the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk
- Tunbridge Wells
- Pembury village
- The Old Church of St Peter in Pembury
- Tonbridge town
- Southborough town
- St Peter’s Church in Southborough
- Speldhurst village
- St Mary’s Church
- Rusthall village
Tunbridge Wells Circular Map
Download the map of this walk by clicking on the button below. To learn how to upload the map on your navigation app, go to the end of this article for more information.
6 – 1066 Trail from Battle to Rye
Follow the steps of William the Conqueror when he invaded England with this hike retracing his route from Battle to Rye. This heritage trail is dotted with sculptures from local artists representing different stages of the Norman Conquest. Ideal for mixing history and hiking!
Read the complete walking guide here.
Logistics of the 1066 Trail Walk
- Distance: 15.9 miles (25.59 km)
- Total Ascent: 945 feet (288 m)
- Walking Estimate: 5 hours and a half
- Difficulty: Intermediate due to the distance and the terrain
- How to get there:
- Direct train from London Charing Cross to Battle. The train also stops at Waterloo East and London Bridge.
- For the return, there are no direct trains. You can take a train to London St Pancras and change at Ashford International, or take a train to London Victoria and change at Hastings. The outbound and inbound journeys are not operated by the same train line so you would need to book two journeys separately.
- Additional Information: There are customer toilets available at the Queen’s Head where we stop for a mid-walk drink
- Pub stops:
- Queen’s Head, Incklesham, for a mid-walk stop
- The Globe Inn Marsh, Rye, for a meal
Highlights of the 1066 Trail Walk
- 1066 Trail and 5 sculptures
- Battle
- Great Wood
- Westfield Village
- Incklesham Village
- Hodge Mill Hill
- Wickham Manor
- Winchelsea
- New Gate
- St John’s Hospital Wall
- St Thomas’ The Martyr Church
- St Leonard’s Mill
- Gibbet Mill
- Rye
1066 Trail Map
Download the map of this walk by clicking on the button below. To learn how to upload the map on your navigation app, go to the end of this article for more information.
7 – Hastings to Rye Walk
What a nice coastal walk in the High Weald! Perfect for the summer, this walk takes you on the chalk cliffs above Hastings, to a luxurious (almost tropical) forest and then alongside the English Channel Coast. Get the camera ready for breathtaking views of the sea and the coastline!
Read the complete walking guide here.
Logistics for the Hastings to Rye Walk
- Distance: 13.2 miles (21.24 km)
- Ascent: 1260 feet (384 m)
- Walking Estimate: 5 hours and 15 minutes at a 4km/hour average speed
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there:
- It is faster to take the train to Ashford International from London St Pancras and change than to take the direct train to Hastings from London Bridge.
- The direct train is a slow train stopping absolutely everywhere and the journey takes 2 hours.
- When taking the train to Ashford International and changing for a train to Hastings, the whole journey takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- For the return journey, take the train from Rye. It is on the same line so you can book a day return ticket to Hastings and hop on at Rye on the way back.
- Additional Information: There are no public toilets on this walk however there is a coffee shop stop with toilets for customers in Pett Level
- Pub stop: The Globe Inn Marsh, Rye
Highlights of the Hastings to Rye Walk
- Hastings
- Hastings Country Park
- Ecclesbourne Reservoir
- High Weald
- Fairlight Village
- Pett Level
- Royal Military Canal
- Wickham Manor
- Winchelsea
- Landgate
- Rye
Hastings to Rye Walk Map
Download the map of this walk by clicking on the button below. To learn how to upload the map on your navigation app, go to the end of this article for more information.
8 – Burwash & Bateman’s House Walk
Discover Rudyard Kippling’s countryside and some of the places that inspired his work with these 2 walks in the High Weald. The first one is an easy walk taking you through the village of Burwash, where Rudyard and his family settled in a manor called Bateman’s House. The second one is a more challenging linear hike from Stonegate to Robertsbridge, passing by Burwash. The choice is yours!
Read the complete walking guides here.
Logistics for the Burwash & Bateman’s House Walk 1
- Distance: 2.4 miles ( 3.9 km)
- Total Ascent: 262 ft (79.8 m)
- Walking Estimate: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- How to get there: By car only
Logistics for the Burwash & Bateman’s House Walk 2
- Distance: 10.3 miles (16.6 km)
- Total Ascent: 1122 ft (342 m)
- Walking Estimate: 3 hours and 45 minutes (Excluding the time spent visiting Bateman’s House)
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there:
- Direct train from London Charing Cross to Stonegate. The train also stops at Waterloo East and London Bridge stations. The journey from Charing Cross takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- For the return, take a train from Robertsbridge to Charing Cross. The journey takes 1 hour and 25 minutes
- As Stonegate and Robertsbridge are on the same line, you can take a day-return ticket to Robertsbridge and get off at Stonegate on the outbound journey.
- Pub Stop: The Ostrich, Robertsbridge
Highlights of the Burwash and Bateman’s House Walk
Walk 1
- Burwash, East Sussex
- National Trust Bateman’s House
- St Bartholomew’s Church, Burwash
Walk 2
- Same as walk 1
- Stonegate
- Fl. Lt. Rimmer Memorial
- John “Mad Jack” Fuller Folly
- Socknersh Manor
- Darvell Bruderhof Community
- Robertsbridge
Bateman’s
National Trust House
Address: Bateman’s Lane, Burwash, East Sussex, TN19 7DS
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Pricing: Adult: £12
Child (5 to 17): £6
Child under 5 years old: Free
Family: £30
Facilities: Visitors‘ Toilets
Baby Changing Room
Dogs are allowed on lead
Picnic allowed
Burwash and Bateman’s House Walk 1 & 2 Maps
Download the maps of these walks by clicking on the button below. To learn how to upload the maps on your navigation app, go to the end of this article for more information.
9 – Borde Hill Garden
We end the selection of the best walks in the High Weald with a peaceful botanical garden stroll. Accessible by foot from Haywards Heath, Borde Hill Garden is a hidden gem in West Sussex. Less popular than its almost neighbour, Warhurst Garden, Borde Hill Garden is worth the trip. Walk through the Rose Garden, alongside Paradise Walk, across the woods, via a mysterious infinity box and finally sit by the pool in the Italian Garden. And this is just a teaser of all the treasures the Garden has to offer!
Read the complete visitors guide here.
Logistics for the Walk To and From Borde Hill Garden
- Distance: 4.2 miles (6.6 km)
- Total Ascent: 135 ft (41 m)
- Walking Estimate: 1 hour and 50 min
- Difficulty: Easy
- How to get there:
- Train: Direct train from Blackfriars to Haywards Heath. This train also stops at London Bridge. Then you would need to walk to Borde Hill Garden, and for that, I have a walking guide ready for you below
- Car: You can skip the walk and get to Borde Hill Garden by car. There is a car park available for visitors
Information about Borde Hill Garden
Borde Hill Garden
The Best of All Worlds
Address: Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1XP
Website: www.bordehill.co.uk
Opening times: February to November (check the website for more details)
10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily and until 6.00 pm on weekends during summer
Pricing: Adult– £10.50
Child (aged 3-16) – £7.00
Child under 3 – Free
For more details on the pricing please check the website
You would need to book your ticket online to guarantee your entry on the day
Things to do: Visit the Garden
Walk in the Woodland & Park surrounding the Garden
Children Orientation Trail Playground
Dogs: Dogs are allowed in Borde Hill Garden but must be on a lead
Amenities: Visitors’ Toilets
Cafe
Picnic Area
Shop and plant sales
Borde Hill Garden Walk Map
Download the map of this walk by clicking on the button below. To learn how to upload the map on your navigation app, go to the end of this article for more information.
Final Thoughts on the Best Walks in the High Weald
And here ends the selection of the best walks in the High Weald. I hope you enjoyed the read and downloaded some of the maps. If you need some help uploading the maps on your navigation app, check my step-by-step tutorial here.
And you, what is your favourite walk in the High Weald? Let me know in the comments below.
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