Uckfield to Buxted Walk

This undulating amble through some varied scenery in the Low Weald Countryside provides ample South Downs views in the morning from the Uck Valley and on the way to and through the East Sussex National Golf Course, before turning north east through the High Cross estate, owned by property developer Nicholas van Hoogstraten, who was at the centre of various legal battles with The Ramblers after blocking or otherwise obstructing rights-of-ways across this estate.
You then pass a couple of manor houses, one with pretty ornamental lakes and ornate landscaped gardens, en route to lunch at the charming 14th century Blackboys Inn in Blackboys.
From lunch the route turns west along Vanguard Way and Wealdway for a long stretch through the tranquil valley of the Tickerage Stream, past Tickerage Mill, Vivien Leigh’s abode in the final years of her life, and finishes through Buxted Park, an old deer park in Ashdown Forest parkland, past the very large, elegant Palladian Buxted House (now a hotel) in its hilltop position.
Most of the woods passed have impressive bluebell displays in season.

Alternative Starts up out of Uckfield to Boothland Wood and across the A22 through Horsted Green Country Park cut 1.6 km. The wood has plentiful bluebells in season and one of the two variants loops through the wood for longer.
It is possible to shorten the walk by routing through Framfield for lunch instead of through Blackboys. This cuts 3.5 km/2.2 mi and 24m ascent, and is rated 3/10.
Extension Loops through Horsted Green Park of various length can be added, as the two access points into the park are both on the route (map-led).
Bus 29 (Brighton - Uckfield - Tunbridge Wells) runs along the A26, crossed just after Horsted Green Country Park (with the nearest stop – Ridgewood, Hereford Way – a few hundred metres to the left, closer to Uckfield), with a roughly half-hourly service 6 days a week and hourly on Sundays.
Bus 29A (Brighton – Uckfield - Heathfield) runs through both lunch destinations Blackboys and Framfield, with a roughly hourly service 7 days a week.

Uckfield station, map reference TQ 473 209, is 62 km south south east of Charing Cross, 12 km north east of Lewes and 19m above sea level; Buxted station, map reference TQ 496 233, is 3 km north east of Uckfield and 49m above sea level, both are in East Sussex. Uckfield station is on the Uckfield branch of the Oxted Line from London Bridge. Journey times are 73 minutes Mon-Sat and 88 minutes Sun (hourly every day). Buxted station is one stop closer to London with a journey time from 74 minutes Mon-Sat (half-hourly) and 91 minutes Sun.

Saturday Walkers' Club: Take the train closest to 9.00 hours.

The Halfway House, East Sussex National Hotel, Little Horsted, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5ES (07709 518 485). This is a perfect spot for elevenses. Located 6.5 km from the start of the walk.
The Blackboys Inn, Blackboys, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5LG (01825 890 283). The lunch stop on the full walk. Located 14.1 km from the start of the walk.
The Hare & Hounds, The Street, Framfield, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5NJ (01825 890 118). The lunch stop on the short walk. Located 12.3 km from the start of the walk. The North East Sussex CAMRA POTY 2022.

The White Hart, Station Road, Buxted, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 4DP (01825 732 068).
The Buxted Inn, High Street, Buxted, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 4LA (01825 733 510).

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Aug-24 Thomas G