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Hampstead Group

Our group offers walks which are accessible by public transport and take place throughout the South East of England plus a summer holiday and a New Year break

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our quarterly Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking

Overview

A moderate- to fast-paced Linear walk to Heathfield (bus to Tunbridge Wells) led by David C (Mobile No: 07747 187036) over undulating terrain. Route: Robertsbridge – Scadlands – Fullers Arms (long closed) Oxley’s Green – The Tower – Mausoleum of Jack Fuller, Brightling. – The Rotunda Temple, Brightling Park – The Sugar Loaf – Woods Corner – Glaziers Forge – Watkins Down – Jack Cade’s Monument, Old Heathfield – All Saints’ Church, Old Heathfield - Heathfield . Lunch at ‘The Swan Inn’, Woods Corner, Heathfield, TN21 9LB (Tel: 01424 838242) after 7 miles, or picnic nearby. Joint walk with Hammersmith, Fulham & Wandsworth Group. Map: E124/123, L199/198.

Saturday, 20 April 2024
Start time:
10:28 am
Estimated finish time:
3:30 pm
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
19.3km / 12.0mi
Ascent:
N/A
Type:
linear

See separate entry for full 21 mile walk along Stage 1 of 'In the footsteps of Hilaire Belloc'

Check trains the day before. Buy single to Robertsbridge (8.80) and £6.70 single Tunbridge Wells to London Charing Cross.

NOTE: This is the 1st stage (of 5) of a walk from Robertsbridge  to South Harting, inspired by Hilaire Belloc's walk undertaken in 1902, and detailed in his book The Four Men: A Farrago. Sections of the route taken in 1902 were along "cart tracks" which are now roads. Consequently the route we will take will vary slightly from the 1902 route, but importantly we will pass by sights and villages and pubs detailed in the book.

The full first section is from Robertsbridge to Uckfield, although there is a convenient drop out point at Heathfield.

Thursday 30th October 1902: Belloc set off from The George Inn, Robertsbridge to the Fullers Arms for breakfast, then onto the Oberlisk and onto Heathfield. Journeyed onto BlackBoys and then onto Uckfield and took a cart towards Fletching spending the night in a hut in the forest.

Features

  • Refreshments available (Pub/cafe)
  • Accessible by public transport
  • No car needed

Starting point

Grid reference:
TQ 73372 23519
Nearest postcode:
TN32 5DJ
what3words:
corrects.solids.hovered
Start time:
10:28 am

Robertsbridge Station (train from Charing Cross at 09:08 (Platform 5), calling at Waterloo East at 09:11 and at London Bridge at 09:17).

Finishing point

Grid reference:
TQ 58515 21062
Nearest postcode:
TN21 8ES
what3words:
blinking.ratty.collision
Estimated finish time:
3:30 pm

Heathfield (51 bus to Tunbridge Wells Station £4.00)

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our quarterly Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking