High Weald Landscape Trail
Walk summary:
90 miles (145km).
Experience panoramic views and discover hidden hamlets along the
path of the long distance High Weald Landscape Trail, which runs
through this famous Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty from Horsham to Rye.
Maps and guides:
About the walk:
These are the landscapes that inspired artists, poets and
writers such as William Morris, Siegfried Sassoon and Henry
James.
The High Weald Landscape Trail covers 90 miles (145km) and takes
approximately seven days to complete.
However, much of the route can be enjoyed in short sections and
you can take advantage of public rights of way to create your own
circular walks to explore a particular area in greater depth.
Indulge in botanical and architectural delights
Look out for historic houses and some of the most glorious
gardens to be found in the South East including Borde Hill,
Wakehurst Place,
Standen House and Gardens, and Groombridge Place.
Take note of the changing architecture in the villages as you
travel along the route. In the west, there are distinctive
sandstone buildings, while in the east, the harsher outlines of
stone are replaced by the softer shapes created by white
weatherboarding.
Nature at its best
Wooded hillsides and valleys provide displays of bluebells
in spring and fine autumn colour, while the orchards of the lower
lands are ablaze with blossom in early summer, and filled with the
rich scent of ripe fruit just a few months later.
The hallmarks of the High Weald are its rolling hills with
dramatic sandstone outcrops, small irregular fields, wooded valleys
with fast flowing streams and patches of historic heathland.
Scattered farmsteads are linked by sunken country lanes and paths.
The distinctive and varied environments provide fine habitats for
wildlife including many rare species.
An area rich in natural resources
One of the key natural resources of the Weald is iron ore. Local
clays provided the materials for building furnaces while extensive
woodland provided fuel for the fires.
Iron has been smelted here for more than 2,000 years leaving
many traces on the landscape. These include the relatively recent
hammer ponds associated with former foundries in many Wealden
villages.
Local water has also been a key ingredient in the production of
High Weald beers taking advantage of the ideal conditions for
growing hops to increase the flavour.
Many of the delightful public houses and ancient inns to be
discovered along the High Weald Landscape Trail serve local
ales.
Useful information:
Weather near start point
This Weather Widget is provided by the Met Office
Travel information
High
Weald Landscape Trail Rail and Bus information (PDF, 43KB)
Explore Kent Challenge
Attempt the Explore Kent
Challenge by walking this route and receive
a prestigious Explore Kent certificate!
If you need to report a problem on this route
please call 0845 345 0210 or use the online
reporting tool. You can then choose to receive regular updates
about the progress of your report.