āWith traditional old inns, picturesque villages and Rudyard Kiplingās house to enjoy, this is a long hike with lots to see.ā
THE CURATOR’S VIEW
āWithin an hour and a quarter of London lies the beautiful High Weald of East Sussex, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). On this lovely walk through the Weald you can expect to see buzzards, foxes, deer, the occasional heron, woodpeckers and a variety of other interesting flora and fauna.
The hike then takes you through some historic sites; past mysterious houses with no access roads; stunning views; poignant memorials to past conflicts; timeless water meadows; not to mention many beautiful houses including Rudyard Kiplingās Batemanās. You can pause for refreshment in traditional old inns and enjoy a stroll through one of the most beautiful and ancient villages in Sussex. You will leave your stunning exploration of the High Weald vowing to return.ā
Curator: Nigel Down
HIKE HIGHLIGHTS
ā¢ Crossing the River Dudwell and passing by the mill at Batemanās, the beautiful home of Rudyard Kipling
ā¢ A moving granite memorial to a young Hurricane pilot shot down during the Battle of Britain
ā¢ Numerous āhammer pondsā which represent the very heart of the medieval iron industry
ā¢ The remains of a pulpit by the side of the railway tracks where an eccentric landowner used to harangue passing steam trains
Ed –
My wife and I completed this walk today – our first Vespucci Adventure. We parked at Etchingham and took the train to Stonegate to enjoy the full length of the hike, which didnāt disappoint. Wonderful, varied landscapes to sigh at; slippery slopes to conquer after the wet weather; Rudyard Kiplingās resplendent Batemanās to contemplate; and firm negotiation with a stubborn colt to relax his guard over the kissing-gate entrance to grant us passage through his water meadow.
Just So Sussex was a perfect tonic to the tedium of working from home – we canāt wait to explore the collection further.
(The Blacksmith Tea and Coffee shop in Burwash was a perfect mid hike pitsop, and Eggs to Apples Farm Shop near Etchingham sells an excellent range of local produce as well as delicious local cheeses).