Scaynes Hill is to the west of Haywards Heath, sitting astride the A272 road. On this walk, by Eddie Start, we walk along quiet paths, across undulating Wealden country with distant downland views and cross streams and lakes which feed into the River Ouse.

1 From the road junction of the A272 and the village street, shown on the map as Nash Lane, cross the main road and take the enclosed footpath beside The Farmers pub.

After 75 yards, the path veers to the right through a residential area, behind houses. Maintain direction to arrive at a metalled drive, after 400 yards.

Cross to the opposite side and follow the footpath along a private drive leading to Ham Lane Farm. In 200 yards the drive passes farm buildings and climbs to the top of a rise, from where there are extensive views to the South Downs. Keep to the surfaced track, which now descends, passing Awbrook Park Farm and in a few yards turns to the left. In 100 yards pass through a metal farm gate and immediately go left over a stile.

2 Climb through a gully and across a rising left field edge to a stile at the top, left corner of the field. Cross stiles and a gully, keeping direction down across the next three fields to a gate at the bottom left corner. On arriving at a metalled driveway, turn left, and in a few yards at a forked junction, take the right option.

Follow the drive for a quarter of a mile to a road. Turn left along the pavement for 100 yards and locate the opposite footpath sign on the right.

Cross with care and follow the rising footpath around an oak copse, on the right, with two pits among the circle of trees. The path swings to the right across the top of the hill and in the next field heads towards the hilltop Pellingbridge Farm.

3 Go to the right around the farmhouse, beside a pond, to a crossing driveway. Turn left, across the front of a wooden barn and in a few yards take a descending line along a left hedgerow for 175 yards to a three-way path junction.

Turn left over stiles and along the left hedgeline for 150 yards, crossing a stile at the edge of Great Wood. Go ahead a few paces and turn right into woodland.

The footpath heads north-east through the woods for 200 yards, do not take any turnings off. At a crossing track go left for a few paces and then descend steeply left down a bank. Turn right, along the low-lying, narrow meadow to a three-way sign, close to a stream bridge. Do not turn left but go ahead on the track and take the short, steep climb on the right, passing beneath trees at the edge of Great Wood.

4 From the top of the hill descend across two fields, passing across a causeway between two heavily reeded lakes. From the far side of the causeway pass left through a hedge opening, immediately turn right up to the field corner and a three-way path junction.

Turn left up the field, which now rises above the lakes, shown as Clear Water on the map. The streams and lakes that abound in this part of Sussex feed ultimately into the River Ouse. The path climbs for a quarter of a mile, passing the edge of woodland, and then descends to a footbridge over Blackbrook stream.

Climb up the next field and, in about 150 yards, just after a footpath sign, divert away from the right treeline, heading half-left towards an obvious hedgeline.

Turn right along the hedge and after a stile turn right to join up with the continuing right fence line, descending the hillside and climbing to a stile at Butterbox Lane.

5 Turn right along the lane for 200 yards, passing the entrances to Massetts, and turn left on to a field-edge rising footpath that in a few yards enters a gully path into Lye Wood. The path emerges in 150 yards in a hilltop meadow.

Continue along the left hedgeline, entering a circle of trees in 100 yards. Take a half-right line through the enclosure to an opening at the far side. Turn half-left down the meadow to the bottom left corner, into Hammer Wood.

Keep to the descending, twisting path through the woods for 400 yards to arrive at a woodland service track. Turn left along the track, in a short distance passing between houses, to arrive beside a minor road. Turn right down the road for 50 yards and turn left on to a footpath (The Sloop pub is 50 yards ahead along the road). Go along a driveway towards Ham House.

6 In 50 yards, turn left over a fence into a paddock. Take a half-right line to the far right corner, beside a stable block, and walk ahead for a few yards to a three-way path junction.

Turn right along a path that soon leaves the paddock fencing on the left and enters a short section of woodland. The path climbs through a wooded gully and steeply ascends a causeway bank. Turn right into a rising meadow, taking a half-left line to the top right corner.

Follow the path around to the right, with an embankment on the left, to arrive at a drive beside Pegden. Turn right and, in a few yards, turn left on the drive for 75 yards and climb steps in the right bank to a stile.

Follow the obvious line across the field, taking a half-left turn at the mid-point to the left field corner, close to Nash Farm.

Turn right along an enclosed footpath that in 150 yards arrives beside Yew Tree Cottage. Bear left on the gravel drive to arrive at the roadside, beside a car park. Turn right, along the wide grass verge that is part of Scaynes Hill Common, back to the centre of the village.

  • Distance/Time: Five and a half miles, taking two and three quarter hours.
  • By Car: Scaynes Hill is on the A272 between Haywards Heath and North Chailey. Car parking in the village street. Start point grid ref: TQ368231
  • By Public Transport: Details from www.traveline.info or call 0871 2002233.
  • What's Underfoot: Undulating Wealden walking, with a few short climbs and descents and some steep gullies. Possible with a baby backpack – watch out for low branches. Not possible with a baby buggy.
  • Thirsty Work: The Farmers pub in Scaynes Hill and The Sloop pub at point six.
  • So You Don't Get Lost: OS Explorer map135 and a compass for general direction.