Mayfield Walkabout

There was a freshening breeze blowing across the only 54 space car park in Mayfield as the 4 of us stood out from the car and pervading the surroundings. The forecast gave indication of a shower, but mainly sunny intervals. We were about to make our way around the north west area from Mayfield and after walking through part of the High Street and exchange some pleasantries with local shoppers and dog walkers, we took stride toward a well equipped children's playground, complete with a Basketball court, skateboard ramps and a football pitch.

The directions we were taking came from a small book a 20 Sussex walks and described in some detail the path to take. The quality of country residences were noticeably higher than the average, yet no envious expressions were heard from any of us (much).

The directions were directing to walk beside a stream next to the sight of Mayfield Furnace. The Brook level was low despite of the rain fall. Owl box was seen attached to a nearby tree. The instructions gave us categorical information about what bridges NOT to cross, despite them looking very meaningful in their construction.

we didn't get to cross this one

We pondered the collection of signposts to assist with the next section of the walk and headed northwards and navigated our way across several fields then headed down into another wood where there apparently was a site of a disused swimming pool had once been where boys from the local private school were forced into outdoor swimming activities. However our concentration on ensuring we were on the correct route meant we saw nothing of it, however just inside the wood was a tree festooned with coloured ribbons with reading material about the 'Wishing Tree'.

The recent rainfall had turned areas of the wood into tricky muddy areas, but with careful footholds we all found safe passage to yet more signposts after crossing a substantial bridge. Our orientation to heading out of the field were momentarily tested after some considered interpretations from the guide notes in the book.
With birdsong in our ears and the glimmer of sunshine through the final part of the wood, we emerged into a field with randomly planted trees with a faded pathway to a gap in the hedge onto a lane.

We crossed the lane and walked between 2 white pillars next to the Lodge for Harewood House. We entered the gravel driveway for a short distance then on to a trackway which then, after carefully climbing over a very worn stile turned into an avenue of tall poplars, maples, spindle trees, oaks and hornbeam.

At the end of this section we were to be spied upon by a wood carved owl, politely winking at us, as if to share some discreet knowledge about the remainder of the journey. Little were we to know.

We walked a little further to see what was described as "an Oast House-cum-gothic-fantasy with wyverns on the roof ends". It was Tidebrook House which was, as described, a little quirky in its design and maybe moreso on the inside. We walked out onto the road and took directions down another track for Chittinghurst Barn.

We were about half way through the walk and furthest section from where we left the car at Mayfield. We continued down the lane which gradually turned into a track which hadn't seen many walkers for some time. We finally reached the end of the track and entered a field with yellow walk markers, although felt (after examining the OS map) as if we'd walked too far. With nowhere else to go, we continued to find another junction of footpaths and decided to turn right and head toward the nearby stream. We eventually found ourselves walking through "a plantation of white willows" just like the instructions said. We were on the right track after all.

The next section was the most testing. For the next half mile there was a relentless climb through Combe Wood. At the top of the wood, we saw daylight and again as expected, a private golf fairway with a selection of flags posted in a variety of greens.

We stopped to catch our breath and take on some refreshments for a short while. There was a slight drizzle in the air which threatened to worsen as we collected up our bags, but we didn't think waterproofs were necessary. Our attention was drawn by the sight of an Oak and Beech tree fused together next to a stile which directed us in a south westerly direction.

More fields with sheep and then a walk through an abandoned selection of farm buildings, through which was a track made up of concrete railway sleepers.

A few more hills and we entered Hole Wood. Once again the shamble of signposts disorientated us and we had to retrace our steps for a short distance in order to come out into the correct field which would eventually lead us to houses on the outskirts of Mayfield.

It was a steady walk past the pub and observing one of the more eccentric garden displays in the area and toward the car park completing 6.5 miles. The boots were released from our feet at 12.20pm with pleasure.