Despite a gloomy weather forecast 9 set off from Haywards Heath. It was nice to do a mud-free Wealden walk but some other obstacles had been put in our path. The walk poster hadn't been aware of a closed footpath around Ardingly Reservoir and it took a couple of attempts before we found the gap in the hedge which resourceful dog-walkers always seem to make to circumvent the barriers.

Prospects for a pub lunch seemed questionable as it was Father's Day, especially when it turned out there'd be plenty of London-Brighton bike riders feeling unable to whizz past without stopping for refuelling. In the event service at the Gardeners Arms was astonishingly quick, with one walker's Sunday roast being delivered to the table before she'd even got back from the bar. Full marks and they deserve to get our custom again.

Five of us with membership credentials chose to do the detour via Wakehurst. However, the walk author's preferred route of rejoining the main route via the Loder Valley reserve was scuppered by another closure (ash dieback, apparently). On a fine day we'd probably have spent longer exploring the gardens but the drizzle had started so we found our way onto the public footpath and took the standard route back to Balcombe. The Half Moon Inn obliged with tea and soft drinks before most headed off for the 16:25.

Five of us gathered at the station, not put off by the forecast on a day of leaden skies turning to rain for the last hour . It was nice to welcome a return visitor from the Emerald Isle. A Haywards Heath resident peeled off to walk home as we approached the reservoir. But we met two more club stalwarts on the approach to Ardingly who joined us for lunch, so let's say7. The pub in Ardingly wasn't serving food till 4.30, so we lunched in the next-door cafe; food and service pronounced excellent.

Three departed by car, leaving three of us to stroll back along the reservoir through the mud and eventual rain - I can report that there was less mud than I expected, but some bits were very gloopy and wet socks were experienced. Despite that it was quite spring-like, with first sightings of the year for lady's smock and forget-me-nots.

No amenities open in Balcombe, so straight to the station for the 1634 train. Worth making the effort to get out, thanks for posting.

5 off the train for an enjoyable morning section with the rain holding off and manageable mud. We were joined halfway through by our friend from Sevenoaks, so 6. Leaving 4 to picnic in the church porch as light rain started, 2 went to the friendly Ardingly Arms, to be joined later by 3 picnickers, with 1 not waiting.

The rain set-in so 2 took a short cut by road back through the village, 1 went exploring & 2 of us decided to do the main walk. Although the rain soon stopped this turned out to be a a boot testing slog across saturated fields & very muddy paths, only improving somewhat when we reached the reservoir. Note to self: a lovely walk for dry conditions only!

Explorer returned the short way after picnic lunch straight from the church along the North side of the reservoir. All very muddy underfoot but quite an atmospheric view of the water and sky. Right before reaching Balcombe village there was indeed such a large puddle, which I confidently crossed in my knee high gum boots but to my surprise sank in well over my calves 😬😬. Had my boots been any looser, I would have lost them. A large piece of cake washed down with a pot of hot tea was a well deserved end before catching the 2.50pm back to London. Sporty day out. Never call us the Fair Weather Club again.

12 I think (including the poster) on this walk in much hotter than forecast weather with sunshine all day . One walker (you know who I mean) possibly went off piste to explore the Ouse Valley Way passing Great Bentley and Ryelands farm. (The front gardens of Rylands Farm were apparently exquisite). There were may visitors at the sailing centre at Arlington Reservoir enjoying the balmy sunshine and water. I guess some walkers visited Ardingly for lunch with others continuing alongside the reservoir. A cricket game was in full swing (pardon the pun) back at Balcombe where the Cafe shut just after 3pm :-( however, the Half Moon was at hand as a plan B refreshment stop. Those walking down the public footpath back to the station would have spotted the game of bowls taking place en route. Nice to have two trains an hour back to London where there was plenty of seating (unlike the morning service!)

This is a nice walk with wooded areas and cheap train fare (£7.65 day return with the Network Card from Kings' X). There is an option to take Metrobus 272 from Ardingly Hapstead Hall near the lunch pub back to Haywards Heath at 13:16 and 15:16 or to Three Bridges at 12:11, 14:11, 16:11 if the heat is too unbearable. Thanks for posting this

Thanks Anonymous for the bus times above as I intend to finish the walk at lunch time.

London Bridge to Haywards Heath on the train that was servicing the Brighton Pride Massive was not a good idea but by scooting around something like 18 of us managed to get to the start of this walk on time. I take my hat off though probably not in this weather to the fellow walker who had said that she would miss this walk as the trains would be crowded. Foolishly I didn't believe her. Ha.

We could get a calendar together that would list these annual events so that posters would be forewarned. Events like Pride, Henley Regatta and all the other annual events ( right now I can't think of any as it appens)

For most of the morning we were led by an insouciant walker - most of you will know who he is and he certainly does and thanks to him we didn't put a foot wrong though 4 stragglers managed to make a complete dogs breakfast of it and ended at Balcombe - each to their own as they say.

The walk was Hard, far more than a 5 out of 10 in this heat though insouciant guy reckons the scale now goes up to 14 out of 10 so this should be a 9.

One of the walkers commented that this must be how a rotisserie chicken feels.

Talking of chicken, lunch at The Gardeners Arms had a good selection and friendly fast service - not fine dining but good all the same.

Then another 4 or 5 miles to Horsted Keynes (during which time we lost Insoucisant as he met up with his mucker from earlier in the day) for tea, water and numerous ice creams.

Bus to Haywards Heath and a joyfully empty Thames link train to LB for a return ticket price of £7.65 after railcard discount

No complaints

Lovely walk but I must choose an easier one next week

Weather was HOT so thank God (and the walk poster) for the wonderful woods which even smelled delicious.

Bridie

Actually, we do have such a calendar of sorts, but I forgot about Pride. Now I think of it, I ought to put the Eastbourne and Bournemouth Air Shows on it...

I would like to thank Sean for posting this wooded walk (I reckon more than 1/2, may even be 2/3 of the walk is in the woods or some sort of shade)- very thoughful and considerate given the hot weather in addition to the option of taking a bus at lunch pub - in fact Metrobus 272 stop is right outside the pub.

5 plus 3 turning up for lunch only, fine (as told by a Glencoe tripper)

Glencoe tripper's report was a little unfair on the three "lunchers", who in fact all did the Balcombe Circular version of the walk (in my case because local train cancellations made getting to Horsted Keynes too much of a pain). So I'd have said 8.

I've belatedly concluded that the transport arrangements for a Horsted Keynes to Balcombe walk are too awkward generally, so the Haywards Heath and Balcombe starts been promoted and Horsted Keynes relegated to an alternative ending.

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