Our latest route around the Sussex town begins on a chilly October morning. It’s just over 3 miles but with a variable gradient will keep your hill-running muscles more than busy.
We start at the station and head East, under the railway bridge, past Sainsbury’s, Burrell Road Industrial Estate and the Dolphin Leisure Centre up Harlands Road and Blunts Wood Road. After a short 1Km climb we join the woodland down a footpath just past Quarry Hill (1 minute 06)
The descent is steeper than it looks so with some careful winding we cross Scrase Stream, with a navel-gazey pause to look at some tree-roots and sun beams. Why not?
Following the path through the woods we come to a gate and ascend into the nature reserve. This used to just be meadows but they planted it up about 15 years ago and the trees on our left in this area are all new. Actually, on pausing to consider this just now, it would have been planted exactly 15 years ago, which could be deduced by it’s title, the “Milennium Woodland”. Duh.
It’s early and chilly in this video so there is still dew hanging on the ground, and in the spiderwebs which you can just make out sparkling in the sunlight. We are in the Borde Hill Estate which extends North beyond Hanlye Lane. You can visit the lovely house and gardens here in the warmer months. At the pinnacle of the climb I’ve slowed the video for a look about. You can sometimes make out the South Downs from up here.
The next part is the fun bit – running downhill along the paths maintained between the copses – the sun a mighty orb above. This is a haven for wildlife and it’s not unusual to see deer here, but I should think they would have all run for cover in the instance of this filming, my bad.
We cross Scrase Stream again and head back through Blunts Wood for another big climb to pass the murky algae-steeped ponds on our right (dog owners beware) and emerge to cross the bridleway into the newly footpathed fields North of the Grade II listed Butler’s Green House. The uphill climb brings us back to civilisation by way of the new Taylor Wimpey buildings being crammed in upon the countryside of this ‘strategic gap’ between Cuckfield and Haywards Heath. The busy Butler’s Green Road (B2272) isn’t the most pleasant route but it takes us quickly back towards Haywards Heath past the alms houses, Beech Hurst Gardens (currently home to a Harvester) and Sergison Arms Pub.
A left at the Sergison takes us back down towards the one way system near our starting point at the station.
AMENITIES
Haywards Heath station is a well-served commuter station on the London to Brighton line. Just make sure you check for rail replacement services at the weekend and on holidays as a coach service often operates between here and Three Bridges.
Haywards Heath town centre is a 10 minute walk from the start and end point with the usual chain restaurants and cafes, a shopping centre and independent businesses too.
The Sergison Arms is a lovely pub with nice fires and mulled things in winter and an outdoor area for warmer days. Good food. It’s now owned by Vintage Inns. Link here.
The Wheatsheaf Inn in Cuckfield offers accommodation, food and whatnot at the other end of the bridleway. Website here.
The Dolphin Leisure Centre is just a few minutes from the station in Pasture Hill Road and a shower costs £1.90. Details can be found here
Cuckfield village is served by The Sussex Bus service 40 which runs to Brighton via Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and Hassocks. Service 37 links between Haywards Heath and Crawley via Cuckfield, Whiteman’s Green, Balcombe and Three Bridges.