Mayfield Walk

As autumn and the end of British Summer Time approaches we sent Robert Veitch out for an autumnal walk through the woods, fields, lanes and footpaths of Mayfield and the surrounding hinterland

From South Street car park, walk up Holders Lane to the High Street and turn right, then left around the corner into Tunbridge Wells Road.

Bear right into the Recreation Ground car park, heading down the path past the basketball court, skatepark, goalpost, then down ten steps to the track. Across the track and over the stile, continue alongside the stock proof fence, over another stile, then through another field to the junction with the track by the decaying 4-way fingerpost.

Turn left, then 10m later, turn right and follow the field perimeter downhill to the stile, which leads into a woodland corridor and eventually to a diminutive stile. Continue along the edge of the next field, in the same general direction, before entering Vicarage Woods, via what looks like a humansized rabbit hole in the trees.

Walk downhill through the beech trees, past the curiously located bench

Walk downhill through the beech trees, past the curiously located bench, and though the route is fuzzy in places, it leads eventually to a mesh lined bridge over the uppermost reaches of the River Rother.

Turn right and cross the stile, before turning left, walking uphill past the giant oak into a field that looks like part of a re-wilding project. Take the right hand fork at the fingerpost and continue to another fingerpost beside the gap in the hazel hedge. Continue in the same general direction across the next field, past the inclined ash tree, then hugging the ferns on the right, all the way to the stile.

Over the stile and beyond the strange collection of tassels, find a way across the stream then turn right and amble down and across the footbridge. Turn left towards the adjacent 3-way fingerpost, then 50m later cross another footbridge, which leads to the exit from the woods.

The path snakes its way between brambles and small oaks, dips into the woods, then over some steppingstones and up to a gate. Beyond the gate, follow the post and rail fence to the three metal gates then continue uphill to the stile preceding the junction with Lake Street.

Cross over and follow the gravel

through the grandiose gateposts to a wide path beyond. Walk beneath the trees to a 5-bar gate that looks like it hasn’t been opened in years. The path continues downhill, gently, among the rhododendrons, leading eventually to a lonely gate and stile, topped with a small fern. Keep walking in the same general direction, between a pair of redundant brick gateposts, past a small bench, then the buildings, and up the drive to the junction with Tidebrook Road.

Turn left, and walk downhill for almost 200m before turning right at the end of the Armco barriers.

Follow the drive for just over ¼ of a mile, past all the buildings, to the point where the drive becomes a track beside the telegraph pole. Continue along the track as it gradually narrows to a footpath, all the way to the far side of a wide bridge and a metal gate. Follow the shadow of the path across the adjacent field to a metal gate and 4-way fingerpost.

Step through the gap in the fence on the right, down two sleeper steps and through the trees to a footbridge over Tide Brook. Over the bridge, veer right, marching past the grid lines of willows to a redundant stile leading into Combe Wood. Walk straight on, among silver birch saplings, following the path gently uphill, through the light, airy and tranquil surroundings, all the way to the metal gate.

Beyond this, aim diagonally right, through a thin strip of mixed trees, then a thin strip of pines and into the wood beyond. Turn right immediately and walk downhill to the stile beside the conjoined oak and beech trees.

Once over the stile bear left into the field, and follow the right hand boundary into the next field, where it gradually narrows to a 5-bar gate and stile. Continue south along the track, downhill briefly, then uphill, over the brow, then easing downhill to the highsided bridge.

Enter Vicarage Woods, via what looks like a human-sized rabbit hole in the trees

Once over the River Rother for the final time, bear right immediately and walk along the bridleway, gradually heading uphill to the junction with the drive by the white-topped posts.

Turn right and continue to the junction with East Street. Turn right and walk along the road towards the traffic, through the outer fringes of Mayfield,

and all the way to the oversized traffic island. Veer left onto Fletching Street and uphill more steeply for 200m to the junction with The Avenue.

Here, a choice can be made. Either turn left to walk along The Avenue and back to the car park, or continue uphill and back to the High Street. Be it home for tea and cake, or a tasty treat and refreshing drink in the village, this autumnal escapade is almost over and either will be well deserved l

Robert has tested the route personally, making sure it is suitable for walking. However, even he cannot guarantee the effects of the weather, or roadworks, or any other factors outside of his control. If you would like to send your feedback about a local walk, please email editorial@sussexliving.com

Distance: 6¼ miles Walk Time: 2½ hours Stiles: 9 Footwear: Stout footwear suitable for autumnal weather is recommended Elevation Gain: 190m (625 feet) Calorie Burn: Approximately 590kcal Map: Explorer 136 Parking: Free parking available at the South Street car park