View site as:

High Downland Walk: Waterhall, New Timber Hill & Pyecombe

Difficulty Moderate

Walking time 3 hours 30 minutes

Length 12.6km / 7.8mi

Route developer: Erica Bentley

Route checker: Philip Dufty

Start location Waterhall Road close to A27 bypass, Sussex.
Route Summary A high Downland walk starting beside Waterhall Sports Ground. Ascents on to the Downs, through the edge of Saddlescombe Farm and to New Timber Hill, then into Pyecombe Village, past the Chattri and through “secret” Patcham.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

By car: From A23 travelling South access Mill Lane by the roundabout at the Robin Hood Roundabout/BP garage, 3rd exit.  Take first opening on the right, under the A27, turn right (private road) and park here.  Leaving Brighton on A23 at the roundabout it is first exit.  From the east or west (A27), come off at Brighton and at the Robin Hood roundabout it is the second exit.

By bus: There is no direct route but Brighton buses (www.buses.co.uk) go to the Black Lion.  Mill Lane is accessible by walking through the recreation ground, slightly up hill to a path which crosses the lane and goes directly under the bridge.  From the north buses run between Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and Brighton.  The service also stops at Pyecombe Garage where you can join the walk (www.thesussexbus.com). 

 
Description

[1] In Waterhall Road find the sign to the bridleway close to Brigden House. Follow the grass track up hill to the right of the fenced in mast  with scrub to the right.  Find a footpath on the right through the thicket to a metal bridle gate. This is often very overgrown. Follow the fenced path up hill to reach the junction of a farm track.  The route goes straight ahead on the track. On the brow of a hill you will notice a dew pond on your right and Waterhall golf course below half left.  The terrain here is typical Downland grazing. Where the track reaches a junction walk straight ahead through a bridle gate, across this field and through another bridle gate. Straight into the next field and up hill.  Notice Saddlescombe village below to the left. You will shortly go close to there.  On reaching a T-junction go left down hill, through a gate continuing down hill through trees. At the next gate you meet the South Downs Way. Turn left downhill to a gate. Should you wish to stop for refreshment go through the gate to the National Trust's Saddlescombe Farm (exhibition in barn and old donkey wheel) and follow the farm track straight ahead past cottages until you reach the sign and kiosk for the Hikers' Rest (closed on Wednesdays). 

[2] The main route turns right just before the gate to a field opening, fork left and take the lower less trodden path into the valley. As the valley narrows and there are trees on the horizon, keep left. Go through a bridle gate where there is a view of Saddlescombe below to the left. Follow the path up hill to the visible way mark. Be aware of some big holes here (badgers). Ignore lesser paths and keep straight ahead in the direction of travel.  When reaching a more defined path in a wooded clearing on top of the hill find the path straight ahead.  You are now at the top of New Timber Hill. Enjoy the tranquility.  http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saddlescombe-farm-and-newtimber-hill/

[3] Start to go down the hill under an enormous oak tree, through a bridle gate on the right, turn sharp left into a field. At a T-junction way mark go right by a bridle gate and up hill on a muddy path between trees. At the next way mark turn left and walk down hill on a path just inside the wood on the edge of access land.  Leave the National Trust land through a gate, follow the fenced path ahead. There are good views of the Downs, below is part of Pyecombe village and the noisy A23. On reaching an open intersection with 3 bridle gates, go through the first gate and take the one slightly to the left.  Follow the fenced path which emerges at a foot bridge to cross the A23.  Cross the foot bridge and turn right along Pyecombe Street.  On reaching a road junction bear left - there is  a sign saying cycle route. Before the bridge take the path designated for the South Downs Way. If you wish refreshments follow the road over the bridge to the Plough otherwise follow the path past the cemetery and Grade1 listed Church of the Transfiguration on the right. Continue straight on at the cross roads and down School Lane to the A273.  

[4] At this point people who have traveled on the Sussex bus may wish to join the walk. Carefully cross the road. Immediately turn right along a permissive bridleway, turning left at the next field boundary and climbing away from the road towards a wood. You are now on Middle Brow with Pyecombe golf course to the left. For information you have done over 900 ft of ascent on the walk so far.  Go into the wood, continue across the golf course and out through a gate opposite still in the same direction.  Ignore a bridleway entering from the left. Continue up hill and turn right along a fenced path. At the end of the path follow the right hand field edge until reaching a four way intersection.  

[5] Turn right on to the Sussex Border path. As you approach a gate notice the dome of the Chattri, an Indian War Memorial from World War 1 on the left http://www.chattri.com . Follow the obvious footpath to the next gate and further on to reach another by a road, turn right down hill.  

[6] At a small car park follow the road into Braypool Lane, which is also signed R.S.P.C.A. At a house called Woodsmill and The Cornerstone follow the public footpath, cross the A23 and the railway by the foot bridge. At the top of the slope turn sharp left and left again. Follow the road back to the start point.

 

POI information No details available.
Notes No details available.
Acknowledgements No details available.
  • Saddlescombe Farm
    Saddlescombe Farm
    By - Erica Bentley
  • Gate where you turn right for new Timber Hill
    Gate where you turn right for new Timber Hill
    By - Erica Bentley
  • Hikers Rest @ Saddlescombe
    Hikers Rest @ Saddlescombe
    By - Erica Bentley
  • Top of new Timber Hill
    Top of new Timber Hill
    By - Erica Bentley
  • Pyecombe Village and the Downs
    Pyecombe Village and the Downs
    By -
This route has been viewed 51 times
Reviews
2 reviews
Overall rating:
Sep 03, 2013
andrew.mcalpine7
(1 reviews)
An excellent walk starting on the outskirts of Brighton that takes in a few minor and gradual ascents over the course of the route. Paths are clearly defined and there should be no problem with route finding. Excellent downland and wealden views with the odd prospect of coastal towns. Cafe open half-way round. What's not to like? Absolutely nothing.
Oct 05, 1912
creissen
(1 reviews)
Got lost on new timber hill 😥
Page 1 of 1 (2 items)