Wealdway

Location: Kent; East Sussex

OS Maps: Explorer 163, 148, 147, 135, 123

Once out of Gravesend the route heads south though farmland and woodland and onto the North Downs passing through the charming little hamlet of Luddesdown before reaching the escarpment and the panoramic vista of the Weald below. Shortly after the shady forest tracks of Mereworth Woods another fine vantage point is reached at Gover Hill. From West Peckham to Barnes Street there are orchards and white cowled oast houses to be seen and then a towpath walk along the river Medway into Tonbridge. On higher ground the route continues through the villages of Bidborough, Speldhurst, Fordcombe and Stone Cross.

Entering East Sussex the route follows a stream to Withyham and the Five Hundred Acre Wood, the setting for A. A. Milne's Christopher Robin books. Now a change of landscape is apparent as the route crosses the high open heathland of Ashdown Forest, the highest point being reached at Camp Hill. Descending to farmland the route passes Buxted Park and then descends to the little river Uck, which it follows to Blackboys. Then, after passing through the villages of East Hoathly, Chiddingly and Hellingly, the Way visits the moated 15th century Horselunges Manor. Then the South Downs, Arlington, Folkington and the Long Man of Wilmington, etched into the white Downland hillside, complete with his very contemporary walking poles. The route continues over the South Downs, climbing Combe hill and Withingdon Hill before descending finally to the coast and Eastbourne.

	Guide Books: Titles now out of print
	Wealdway by Geoffrey King This is the original Wealdway guide published by the Wealdway Committee. It provides strip maps at 1:25000 scale with adjacent route instructions and a few notes on points of interest.
	The Wealdway and The Vanguard Way by Kev Reynolds This guide provides a comprehensive description of the route supported by considerable background information and illustrations. The book also includes full details of the Vanguard Way.