An all weather walk, largely on tarmac, with one short muddy stretch. Suitable for heavy duty tramper wheelchairs. No stiles. Grand views of the downs
Starts at
Plumpton Station, East Sussex (TQ 363161)
Ends at
Plumpton Station
Getting there
Public Transport: Trains to Plumpton Station at the start of the Ramble. Buses from Lewes and Haywards Heath (infrequent service)
Car parking: The recreation ground just east of the station on the north side of the railway has a car park, as does the railway station. If you have a trailer you may find it easier to park in the road.
Route instructions1) The route starts on the London platform of Plumpton Station. (the south side). This is not a right of way but the station is open. If you did not arrive on the train to London then you can get on to the platform at the east end, by the road up a short slope. Go right to the other end of the platform, down the slope, under the foot bridge and turn immediately left. You are joined by the path that has come over the foot bridge. Straight ahead is a tarmac path heading south, parallel with the race course. Make your way past the race course buildings (grandstand and stables) untll you come to a T junction with a tarmac road heading east.
2) turn left on Streat Forge from the race course and head east to the main road. There you will see the signs for Plumpton Health and Fitness Centre. Following the track across the road, go straight ahead shortly through some impressive gates. The surface is now stone and earth but in generally good condition. After about 300 metres the track descends through a wood and then climbs to (B) East Chiltington Church. This stretch can be rough if the weather has been wet and farm traffic has been along it.
At the church turn left along a tarmac lane. You pass the Jolly Sportsman pub. Continue to the end of the lane and turn right down Novington Lane.
(C) At this junction there is a disused telephone box that has been turned into ” The East Chiltington Phone Box Book Swap”. Have a look and see what is on offer.
After 200 metres turn left on a concrete track leading to Wooton Farm. Go past the main farm buildings and find yourself at a crossroads of routes at “The Grange”. Here turn left (north). This track can be muddy after rain, although underneath the earth is quite a bit of stone, so the route does not seem to get very rutted.
3)After about 300 meters cross the railway at a level crossing. Be careful here and look both ways as trains come quite fast. There are small steps of about 40mm on each side of the crossing. After the crossing the route continues to be muddy for a short while.
Reach the road and turn left into Highbridge Lane This is a fairly quiet road and you follow it for about 500 metres passing by the James Price Forge and Blacksmiths. At the end of the road turn right and then, after 200 metres, turn left on a concrete farm track. Follow this for a kilometre passing the Plumton school to emerge at the main road through Plumpton.
Turn left along the pavement and in 200 metres reach the start point again.
Notes
For wheelchair users, a Tramper or similar all terrain buggy is suggested.
Refreshments: Pub at East Chiltington , ring ahead for access details. Shop with level access in Plumpton Green.