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Uckfield to Buxted Walk

Uck Valley, undulating Low Weald Countryside, van Hoogstraten's path, Blackboys Inn, Tickerage Stream valley with Vivien Leigh's home, and Buxted Park

East Sussex

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sat, 24-Jun-23 Uckfield to Buxted - Low Weald, South Downs views 9 blazing hot sunshine
Sat, 20-May-23 WALK CANCELLED ! <S>The Low Weald, South Downs views, big country estates, Vivien Leigh’s last home, the Tickerage Stream valley & Buxted Park: Uckfield to Buxted</S>
Sat, 26-May-18 Uckfield to Buxted (via Blackboys) 11 hot humid a light breeze
Sat, 26-Mar-16 Saturday Third Walk [New Walk] - The Low Weald, South Downs views, big Country Estates, one the cause of a famous legal battle for access rights,Vivien Leigh’s last home, the Tickerage Stream valley & Buxted Park 8 overcast blustery but mostly dry

Saturday 24-Jun-23

Walker
Length: 21.6km (13.5 miles) or 18.1km (11.3 miles) T=swc.262
9.07 train from London Bridge (9.22 East Croydon) to Uckfield, arriving 10.22
Buy a day return to Uckfield.
Apologies for the early train, but it is a fair way to lunch on this walk.... Starting early from London Bridge will also help beat the weekend crowds heading for the beach.
For walk directions click here, for GPX click here, for a map of the route click here.
This walk was scheduled for 20 May but then cancelled due to ASLEF overtime bans. I hope its poster (and author) will forgive me for nicking the idea and slotting it in here, but I know that several walkers, along with myself, were looking forward to trying it back then.
This is a low level ramble through the dreamy Low Weald, passing through various country estates in the morning, with views of the South Downs. In the afternoon it follows the tranquil valley of the Tickerage Stream and ends up in the former deer park of Buxted Park.
There is apparently a possible "Elevenses stop" at the East Sussex National golf course 4 miles into the walk, but lunch is otherwise not until 8.7 miles into the walk, at the Blackboys Inn, which serves food till 3pm.
Alternatively there is a SHORT CUT, reducing the walk to 11.3 miles by avoiding Blackboys (and, from the look of it, most of the Tickerage Valley), and instead lunching in the Hare and Hounds in Framfield, 7.6 miles into the walk, which serves food until 2.30pm.
At the end of the walk there is a choice of two pubs close to Buxted station.

Trains back from Buxted are at 37 past the hour.
  • Sat, 24-Jun-23

    9 on this walk in blazing hot sunshine . OK, maybe the temperature did not help, but this walk felt like an epic. If I say that we started at 10.20am and got to the lunch pub FOUR hours later, at 2.30pm, you get some idea. The miles did not whizz by.

    In retrospect we should have done the shorter start. The main walk route out of Uckfield did not seem that great and the countryside immediately after was not particularly special. Thereafter there were lots of wild fields and field edges - full of natural interest, brimming with butterflies (especially meadow browns, which were absolutely EVERYWHERE, but also marbled white, the odd skipper, one silver-washed fritillary) but also hard going - uneven ground underfoot, patches of high nettles or bracken or stinging nettles, stiles choked with brambles (lots of stiles in general..), tall grass covering ridged dried mud (this walk must be a mudbath in winter). If there were stately homes or distant views of the downs, I did not notice them.

    You won’t hear me say this often, but the golf course mid morning was almost a relief, with its neat manicured paths and grass. Its refreshment hut made a welcome stop. Nice cakes too. Maybe the walk should be done backwards, with this as the tea stop?

    When we finally got to the Blackboys, it was like an oasis. A cool shady table in the garden. Efficient service, nice nosh. Two picknickers went on here, and we did not see them again. The rest of us lingered after our meal, reluctant to face the elements once more.

    By common consent the afternoon was nicer. More civilised, less rough. Tickeray Manor looked not a bad billet for Vivien Leigh to spend her declining years in. Buxted Park was pretty.

    The first pub in Buxted had an event on. The second had a slim area of outside seating, but we found a relatively shady spot. Gin and tonic seemed the favoured drink. They also earned brownie points by selling us a takeaway bottle of wine for just £9. We got the 7.37 train, enjoying the aircon.

Saturday 20-May-23

Thomas G

Due to secondary effects of industrial action, this walk would now require an 8.44 train and a total journey time of 100 minutes. Makes no sense. And with 32 punters away in Scotland and recent low attendance numbers, I will not post a replacement walk.

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Length: 21.6 km (13.5 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]

Ascent/Descent: 342/312m
Net Walking Time: 5 hours
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Take the 09.07 Uckfield train from London Bridge (East Croydon 09.22), arrives Uckfield 10.22.
Return trains: xx.37. Buy an Uckfield return.
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.
Walk Options:
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.
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).
A shortcut , routing through Framfield, reduces the length to 18.1 km and the rating to 3/10 .
Bus 262 (Hartfield – Uckfield - Heathfield) runs through both lunch destinations Blackboys and Framfield, with 3 buses Sat only, last just after lunch.
Elevenses/Lunch :
The Halfway House East Sussex National Golf Club (6.5 km/4.1 mi), Crockstead Farm Hotel (9.1 km/5.7 mi), The Blackboys Inn in Blackboys (14.1 km/8.8 mi, food to 15.00).
On the short walk : The Hare & Hounds in Framfield (12.3 km/7.7 mi; North East Sussex CAMRA POTY 2020, 2021, 2022 , food to 14.30).
Tea : The White Hart or The Buxted Inn, both minutes from the station.
For walk directions, map, height profile, some photos and gpx/kml files click here. t=swc.262

Saturday 26-May-18

Thomas G
Length: 21.6 km (13.5 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 342/312m
Net Walking Time: 5 hours
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Take the 09.07 Uckfield train from London Bridge (East Croydon 09.22), arrives Uckfield 10.22.

Return trains: xx.37. Buy an Uckfield return.
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.
Disclaimer: there are plenty of stiles on this walk, and the morning section has some very mud-prone parts.
A shortcut , routing through Framfield, reduces the length to 18.1 km and the rating to 4/10.
Elevenses/Lunch : The Halfway House East Sussex National Golf Club (6.5 km/4.1 mi), Crockstead Farm Hotel (9.1 km/5.7 mi), The Blackboys Inn in Blackboys (14.1 km/8.8 mi, food all day). On the short walk: The Hare & Hounds in Framfield (12.3 km/7.7 mi; under new management as of 2017).
Tea : The White Hart or The Buxted Inn , both minutes from the station.
For walk directions, map, height profile, some photos and gpx/kml files click here . t=swc.262
  • Karen
    Sat, 26-May-18

    11 hot humid a light breeze

    11 off the train at Uckfield (with an SWC veteran spotted getting off the train but who did not join the group). Made our way out of the town to across a couple of busy roads to emerge into lush countryside - what a lot of growth in the last couple of weeks. Some nettles for those in shorts to endure, but what doesn’t kill ya... Elevenses were taken at the Halfway House cafe at the East Sussex National Golf Club. An easy morning with only the heat to contend with. As well as the botanical delights of an abundance of buttercups and daisies (one field looked like it had snowed) there was some wildlife: a small herd of deer disappearing into some woods and a small snake, perfectly intact, curled up but dead, on a lane.

    7 had a pub lunch at the Blackboys Inn. Friendly, efficient staff and good food for in lovely surroundings. Sandwichers had drinks in the garden. Having walked 2/3 of the walk in the morning, the afternoon pace was relaxed and we reached Buxted at about 16:50 and enjoyed drinks at the friendly Buxted Inn before catching 17:37 back.

Saturday 26-Mar-16

Thomas G

SWC Walk 262 - Uckfield to Buxted
Length: 21.6 km (13.5 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 340 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 5 hours
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Take the 08.57 train from London Bridge (platform 13, I'm told) , arriving Uckfield at 10.21; change at East Croydon!: arrives 09.15, departs 09.23 [or take the 08.52 from Blackfriars, arrives EC 09.18]. Due to engineering works there are no services from Victoria to EC today!, neither are there direct trains from LBG to Uckfield
Return trains: XX.38 hours (change at East Croydon, 79 minutes journey time)
Buy an Uckfield return.
First posting of this new walk, re-structured from one originally taken from a 3rd party website (SWC 201 - Uckfield Circular via van Hoogstraaten's Path), we will take the opportunity to check the walk directions.
To quote the write-up:
“ 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. Disclaimer: there are plenty of stiles on this walk, and the morning section has some very mud-prone parts. A shortcut around lunch, routing through Framfield, reduces the length to 18.1 km and the rating to 4/10. “

There is also an officially blocked footbridge near the end of the walk, due it having being lifted out of a level position by this winter's floods (see my photo in the photos section), but it poses no real problem: even the local dog walkers are going across it. Plus, by now the water levels should allow wading through the stream again.
The lunch stop on the full walk is The Blackboys Inn in Blackboys (14.1 km/8.8 mi, a table has been booked for 13.30 hours), or the Hare & Hounds in Framfield on the short walk (12.3 km/7.7 mi). For tea the choices are: The White Hart o r The Buxted Inn, both rather gastro-ey pubs, both within minutes of the station.
Should you fancy the lunch pub in Blackboys, and a bit-part walk, but not the full walk and the high hard surface count of the morning route: take the 10.57 train (arrives Uckfield 12.21), then follow the walk directions to the bus station and take the Number 31 bus at 12.33, arrives Framfield 12.39 (and Blackboys 12.43). From Framfield re-trace the shortcut to where it diverges from the main route (have a look at the online map, ‘tis very straightforward), and pick up the main route from there. If doing that, please book an additional place at the lunch pub.
For walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here.
T=swc.262
  • Mon, 21-Mar-16

    Intend going.

  • Karen
    Sat, 26-Mar-16

    8 overcast blustery but mostly dry

    7 off the train, met by one walker who missed the train in London yet through a combination of ingenuity and cunning, somehow beat the group to Uckfield. The day was overcast and cold, a great contrast to the previous day's sunshine, but at least the rain held off for most of the day. A little drizzle at one point in the afternoon, but no heavy rain until we were safely inside the pub at Buxted at the end of the walk.

    In the morning, we had to cross some busy roads which wasn't particularly pleasant. Four stopped off for elevenses at The Halfway House at East Sussex National Golf Club. A friendly welcome and delicious Berliners. Five for lunch at The Blackboys Inn, two picnicked outside and joined for coffees. (The eighth walker had disappeared by then.) Lunch stretched to almost two and a quarter hours as service was quite slow. On the upside, the food when it arrived was very good. The two picnickers went on ahead and the pub diners stuck together for the rest of the day.

    The walk was muddy in places with field crossings being quite sticky. Fenced-in grassy paths presented the usual problem: very muddy, squelchy patches that were impossible to avoid. One walker slipped and ended up getting up close and personal with one such muddy patch. A couple of bluebells were spotted and lots of bluebell shoots, so may be a nice walk for bluebell spotters in a few weeks time, especially if there is some good weather and the ground has time to dry out. The second half of the walk was particularly nice, with some nice views, rolling hills and wooded areas.

    Just missed the 17:38 back to London. A pleasant hour spent in The White Hart before catching the 18:38.

    (Other stats: 32 stiles, one horse with very short legs, one change of trousers, one sheep fatality causing slight delay to outbound train)