[1] 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] Here you have a possible extension towards Ditchling and Stoneywish There ought to be a circular ramble from Plumpton to Ditchling. But, as with anywhere in the low Weald, the problem is mud. Horses, bridleways and soggy earth can make things difficult. So here is a linear route, largely on concrete or stone and earth routes.
Instead of turning left along the tarmac, turn right. This route quickly turns into a stone and earth track which is very pretty, although slightly rough in places. Continue westwards to emerge at a road near Streat Church. Turn left on the road and then immediately right, passing on to a track to the south side of the church. After 250 metres this track meets another at Hayleigh Farm. Turn left here and then immediately right on a concrete track. Follow this for a kilometre to reach Spatham Lane. Be careful here, this is a road where the traffic can go fast.
You have a choice here. You can go right for 200 metres on the road and then left on a shale track to Stonywish Nature Reserve.
(A) The reserve is open March to October daily in school holidays and Friday to Monday at other times. The reserve says that it has “good disabled access throughout.” There are 50 acres full of birds, flowers and wildlife. There is also a stone henge, a Shaker smallholding and a museum of the work of Rowland Emmett. More details on www.stoneywish.com or ring 01273 843498.
Or you can go left for 200 metres on the road and then, at a junction, cross the road and turn right on a track running parallel with the road to Ditchling. This track is designed for horses, but it is surfaced with shale so should not get churned up. Follow this track to its end, where a pavement appears. Continue towards the centre of the village. At one point you will need to cross the road.
This historic and beautiful village, which is in the South Downs National Park, is worth an exploration.
Return the way you came to rejoin the main route.
To continue on the main route, 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. Be careful, this is usually a quiet lane but sometimes people drive down it fast.
(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 by the side of the Winning Post pub.
Turn left along the pavement and in 200 metres reach the start point again.