Guided Walks
Wealden Walks Summer 2022
No need to pre-book, just turn up and go if you are interested.
“Nothing Happens”
Thursday 19 May 2022 at 2.00pm
4 Miles – 2½ Hours
Meet outside Hartfield Church, Church Street, Hartfield, TN7 4AG, TQ 479 357
Opening in 1866, the East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells Railway linked the two titular towns with a route along the River Medway. At Forest Row and Groombridge this stimulated the growth of new and expanded settlements alongside the stations whereas at Hartfield and Withyham nothing happened. No brick or timberyard, no station inn, no new town. This walk explores the reasons why and rejoices in the unspoilt landscape which is the result.
“Pandemic – Medieval Style”
Thursday 16 June 2022 at 2.00pm
4 Miles – 2½ Hours
Meet in road outside Alciston Church, The Street, Alciston, BN26 6UW, TQ 506 055
As we (hopefully) emerge from the Covid pandemic, this walk casts an eye back to the medieval equivalent – the Black Death of 1349. This had lasting effects in reducing the size of the important manor of Alciston and decimating the smaller hamlets of Tilton and Charleston with the latter reduced to a settlement of artists (allegedly). Strangely for the survivors, living conditions would actually get better but at huge cost to their communities.
“Transports of Delight”
Thursday 14 July 2022 at 2.00pm
4 Miles – 2½ Hours
Meet outside Isfield Church, Church Lane, off Station Road, Isfield, TN22 5XP. TQ 443 182
For a small village, Isfield has a huge amount of transport systems (not all still in use) serving it. Tread the footpath network (that’s one for starters) to rivers, navigations, roads from Roman via medieval to Georgian eras and railways. Meanwhile the village is moving around the parish trying to keep up. Anyone breaking away from the group on the walk may find themselves being impounded.
There is no August walk.
No dogs please.
Walks led by Graham Kean, Wealden District Council, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, BN27 2AX.
Telephone 01323 443126 in advance, 07985 812045 on the day.
E-mail graham.kean@wealden.gov.uk