Horsted Keynes sits at the top of its hill, remote from main roads but nonetheless a distinctive and significant village with a long history.

With its wide village green and surrounding cottages, the village store and pub, local primary school and prominent church, it looks set to go on for another thousand years.

This walk visits some remote valleys north-west of the village, climbing to the hamlet of Highbrook and encountering reminders of a railway past.

1. At the western end of the village green, with the Post Office behind you and the junction with Lewes Road on the left, cross over the central village road and descend the slope to Church Lane.

Continue down the lane, with cottages on the left, and climb towards the lychgate of St Giles’ Church. The church and its grounds warrant a visit, if time permits.

Take the road to the left of the church gate and in a short distance, with the village school on the right, take the signed left turn which descends into a hedge-lined gully. The footpath continues for 250 yards and takes a left turn just after The Old Mill House, going right as it approaches a timber-framed building.

Climb to a four-way path junction, with a lake to the right, and take the right turning around the lake’s southern bank. In 100 yards, just after a lake outlet, take a left turn across a threepart plank bridge, to follow a woodland path in a north-westerly direction.

In a quarter-of-a-mile, the path crosses a stile to a minor road.

Turn right up the road for 100 yards and cross the stile in the hedge on the left. Continue across the field ahead to an enclosed footpath and enter Leamland Wood. The path emerges to an open, grassed area, with Horsted Keynes Bluebell Railway Station to the left.

2. Turn half-right, descend towards a parking area in 150 yards and pass left through a pedestrian gate to cross the railway bridge.

At the far side of the bridge turn right, follow the sweeping path to the left, cross a stile and immediately turn right. The path takes another right turn and climbs through a plantation of young trees. Turn left, northwards, walking beside the railway for just over a quarter-of-a-mile.

At a path junction, with a pedestrian railway crossing on the right, turn left, over a stile and walk across the meadow to a second stile. Cross into the next field and descend, quarter-left, to the bottom, left corner.

Cross into woodland, descend to a bridge, climb out the other side and, keeping to the right hedgeline, climb the steep hill ahead, which levels off just before Highbrook.

The prominent church spire of All Saints is a distinctive landmark and there are extensive views of the surrounding, hilly landscape. Stay on the lane between the church and houses to arrive at Hammingden Lane.

3. Turn left for 200 yards and where the road goes left, cross a stile in the fence opposite, beside a low barn. Walk to the end of the barn and turn right into a paddock, aim for the far-left corner and turn left down the next field towards the prominent chimney at Brook House Farm.

Keep to the right field edge and just before the farm, cross a stile in the fence on the right, then a second stile in a few paces. Continue on the descending track to a three-way sign and metal kissing gate on the left in 300 yards.

Pass through the gate into a cricket ground. Go left in front of the pavilion and, in a few paces, branch left between two viewing benches to climb to a second kissing gate, beneath trees. (There are a number of metal kissing gates in the area, clearly indicating that a country walk in these parts has additional attractions other than scenery.) Turn right along the field edge, soon passing through a metal farm gate beside an overgrown kissing gate (not such an attractive spot for social activity).

Keep to the right fence for a quarter-of-a-mile to cross a stile and descend steps to Hammingden Lane.

4. Take a few paces right, climb the opposite (eastern) bank, immediately turning right and in a few yards going left along a drive. The path slowly descends and branches left across the garden to a bridge over a reed bed and pond. Climb out the other side, ascend the steep slope to cross a stile, pass through a small gate and continue across the hilltop.

Maintain direction and descend to a second small gate and opening in a hedge. Go halfleft across the next field to a minor road.

Turn left along the road for a quarter-of-a-mile, pass beneath a railway bridge and immediately cross into a meadow on the right.

Proceed half-left up the meadow to a sign beside trees indicating a left turn. Keep to the right hedge-line for 100 yards, pass through a gate on the right, turn left and left again to walk towards the buildings of Little Oddynes Farm.

5. Pass between the buildings and midway, go through a gate and turn right towards the farmhouse. In a few paces, go left and right to take a descending path away from the farm. At a hedge opening in 100 yards, turn half-left across the next field, dropping to a stile beside a minor road.

Walk 75 yards to the right, crossing a bridge, and take the left, unsigned track beside a large, black barn. Follow the path to arrive at the lake and four-way sign we were at earlier.

Take the right turning, climb a bank, drop to a gully and continue ahead, passing a pond on the left. Follow the path towards Church Lane in Horsted Keynes.

At the lane, turn right and walk back to the start.

  • Distance/time: Five miles, taking two-and-a-half hours.
  • By car: Parking beside the village green, Horsted Keynes. Two-and-a-half miles north-east from the B2028, turn off just after Lindfield Bridge into Park Lane, follow signs for Horsted Keynes. Start point Grid Ref. TQ384282.
  • By public transport: Details from www.traveline.org.uk or call 0870 608 2 608. Bus stop by the village green.
  • What's underfoot: Wealden walking. Some steep climbs and descents but nothing too sustained. Okay with a baby backpack, not suitable for an off-road buggy. Some paths can be overgrown with nettles and scrub during the summer months.
  • Thirsty work: The Green Man pub, Horsted Keynes, beside the village green.
  • So you don't get lost: OS Explorer map 135 and a compass for general direction.

For a larger version of the map see 'related links' on the right-hand-side of the page.