Welcome to Capital Walkers, the friendly London Ramblers group for people aged 40+. We walk every weekend and usually at least once during the week.
This walk in the High Weald takes us through enchanting woods and past a few serene lakes and water reservoirs. Starting from the village of Balcombe, we will pass the tranquil Balcombe Lake, trace the shoreline of the impressive Ardingly Reservoir, and ascend to the stunning National Trust botanic gardens of Wakehurst Place via a lesser-known path. Although we will not visit its splendid Tudor mansion, built in 1590, we will stop briefly in the park (facilities available).
We will then follow the High Weald Landscape Trail towards West Hoathly, where we will have lunch; please bring a packed lunch. The route continues through Giffards Wood and the small yet beautiful Lower Lake, leading to the scenic shores of Weir Wood Reservoir. Here, you might spot magnificent wildlife, including great crested grebes, herons, and ospreys. The journey concludes with a stroll along the outskirts of East Grinstead, culminating at the train station.
Most of the path is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and features a fair number of gentle inclines and declines with uneven terrain where walking poles will be very handy. Some sections of the path are overgrown with nettles and brambles.
No booking required.
The finishing time is an estimate only and will be dependent on a number of factors such as, weather, the speed at which the group walks and the number of breaks taken.
Travel: Take 09:39 from London Bridge (09:53 East Croydon), arriving in Balcombe 10:20
Return from East Grinstead at .12 and .42 past the hour to London Victoria
Balcombe railway station
East Grinstead railway station
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