East Grinstead North by Northwest

From the Vicarage carpark we head past St Swithun's Church, which has the largest peal of bells in the whole of Sussex, to reach East Grinstead High Street which is on the High Weald Landscape Trail.

The High Street contains 19 timber framed houses from the 14th and 15th centuries, with another 13 from the Tudor and Stewart periods.  The town reached the height of its prosperity during the 1600’s since it was an important centre within the flourishing Wealden iron industry, hosting the assizes (periodical courts, hence Judges Terrace), weekly markets and annual fairs.

We take the High Weald Landscape Trail along the High Street, down West Street and West Hill where we leave it to head past Hill Place and Tilkhurst Farms to Gullege which is an excellent example of a small manor house early C17 once belonging to Allfrey family.

We pass through the village of Felbridge and Wire Mill Wood on our way to Wire Mill Lake, where we stop for a drink at Wire Mill Inn. Afterwards we head East through Felcourt passing a Christmas Tree Farm, before stopping for a picnic lunch after 7.5miles. We follow the Tandridge border path through Dormans Park  past Dormans Station to The Wilderness Lake and Cooks Pond Viaduct, where we leave it to head through the Alders and along Blackwell Farm Road to East Court. East Court was built in 1769 by London lawyer John Cranston and at its peak the estate comprised of around 900 acres. There are fine views here from the gardens over the parkland towards Ashplats Wood and Ashdown Forest beyond. It is a short walk from here back to the start .

Optional drink in one of the local pubs afterwards