We are the West Kent Walking Group. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Paul S.
A tribute to Douglas Adam on Towel Day . As any fan of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy -a trilogy in five parts, will know 42 is the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. In short, the meaning of life. The most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have being a towel, and for today’s walk if you do not have a seat pad, while a Sub-Etha Sens-O-Matic, and babel fish are not required.
The drinks stop on today’s walk is the Red Lion in Chelwood Gate which featured in the 1981 BBC TV series, and where Ford Prefect said to the barman “Six pints of bitter. And quickly please, the world’s about to end” Unfortunately the pub does not serve a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster which the Guide says is the best drink in existence and the effect is like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick.
We head south from Danehill church, then Southwest to join the Sussex Diamond way, before heading East to Heavan Farm where we stop briefly. We pass Sheffield Mill Pond and enter Sheffield Forest, once part of the Sheffield Park Estate auctioned off in the 1950’s, which is now owned by the Forestry Commission. We head North along the edge of Ann Wood and Masket’s Wood which takes us to Chelwood Corner. Entering Ashdown Forest passing the site of Brabies gate one of 42 known entry points to the Forest and arrive at the Chelwood Vachery Forest Garden the lunch stops after approx. 6miles.The Forest Garden was created shortly before 1910 by Sir Stuart Samuel as part of the estate of the nearby house. The four lakes and ponds each with a weir and Sluice, were built at this time.
After lunch we head around Chelwood Vachery before heading to the Isle of Thorns. We cross this using a permissible path passing the Cats Protection re-homing centre and reach the Red Lion where we stop for a drinks stop. We head back to Danehill via Chelwood Common passing Lambs Farm and Danehill Lodge.
Optional Drink in one of the two local pubs in Chelwood Common or Chelwood Gate.
Church Lane outside All Saints Church - Parking available in Church Lane.
