Starting and finishing at Hindleap, one of the highest points on Ashdown Forest, this walk by Ben Perkins heads southwards to visit and explore the small wooded enclave of Stumblewood Common, where you can walk alongside a well-preserved section of the earth bank which, when originally surmounted by a wooden fence, formed in medieval times the ‘pale’ boundary of Ashdown Forest, erected to keep the deer within this royal hunting area.

1 - From the back of the Hindleap car parking area, head squarely away from the road with an exceptional view ahead across the Forest.

Although relatively small and partially detached from the main bulk of Ashdown Forest, this is one of the finest segments of this superb area of mixed heath and woodland, all freely accessible to the public on foot. The view southwards from this point is second to none and we shall be traversing the area on both the outward and return route of the described walk.

Walk past an Ashdown Forest information notice and, after another 30 yards, turn left to follow a wide forest track generally eastwards, ignoring side paths After about 400 yards, where the main track divides, fork left to reach a small car park. Join a lane through the car park and turn right.

2 - After about 250 yards, turn left along a signed bridleway which winds through trees to a gate and continues between fences, downhill across open ground. At the bottom of the hill, enter woodland, cross a stream and follow the well-trodden path through Press Ridge Warren, disregarding various side tracks to left and right.

At a meeting of four ways, go ahead, ducking beneath a metal pole barrier. After 40 yards, turn right along the access drive from a cricket ground out to join a lane opposite the entrance to Birchgrove House, once the home of Harold Macmillan, the former British Prime Minister. Turn right along the lane.

3 - After about 200 yards, just short of the entrance to West Watch House on your right, turn right along a tree-lined path.

Ignoring the first signed path to your left, go ahead along a faintly trodden path which drops steeply downhill with a raised earth bank nearby on your right, a distinctive segment of the raised base of the ancient medieval “pale” boundary of Ashdown Forest.

Erected in the 12th or 13th century, the pale, at this point, runs at some distance from the present perimeter of the forest, a reminder that the area, originally 14,000 acres, was reduced by more than half in 1691.

At the bottom of the hill, ignoring a gate ahead, follow the signed footpath which bears left along the valley within the right edge of the woodland of Stumblewood Common.

Follow this delightful path out to join an access drive, bear left out to a lane and turn right, uphill.

4 - After about 200 yards, turn left along a signed path which enters scrubby woodland, after 50 yards veering right rather indistinctly. Go straight over an oblique crossing path and ahead across rough pasture to join a drive. Bear left and, immediately fork right, signed to Twyford Farm.

Pass to the right of Garden Cottage, a fine old timber-framed building and, immediately keep left, passing to the left of the main building complex at Twyford Farm.

Follow a hard-surfaced track across a valley, climb to a T-junction and turn left to follow a pleasant path along the wooded hillside.

At the far end of the wood follow the path round to the right for 60 yards out to join a lane.

5 - Turn right to follow this quiet, relatively traffic-free lane gently uphill for about two thirds of a mile. At a road junction, bear right and, after another 400 yards, fork right along a woodland track, signed as a bridleway. Go straight across a drive to continue between tree-lined banks. Join and bear right along the access drive from Dodges House, following it out to a road where you should turn right.

6 - After about 300 yards beside this busy road where care is needed, just past the entrance to Dallingridge Farm on your right, turn right along a hard track, signed as a public footpath with a stone plinth.

Follow this drive as it curves left and weaves between houses and gardens to reach a wicket gate from which an enclosed path continues.

Where the path opens out, maintain direction downhill along a left field-edge with a view ahead across the valley to the slopes of Ashdown Forest. Go through a gap in the field corner and veer half-right down across a field corner to enter woodland.

From here back to the start across the open access Forest wood and heathland, some care is required with navigation as it is easy to go astray along the many alternative paths Dip to cross a minor stream and climb through trees and then across more open ground. Beyond a cleared area, follow a path as it bears right with trees on your left and, shortly, fork left through the trees.

Cross a tarmac drive and follow the forest path ahead. After 50 yards, turn left along a wide ride. Shortly where the track divides, fork right to follow a wide level path across open heathland. Ignore the first path doubling sharply back to the left but, after another 60 yards, take a similar path which doubles back less acutely to the left, following it as it climbs steadily and brings you back to the Hindleap car park.

* Distance/Time: Five and a half miles/two and a half hours.

* By Car: Park in the Ashdown Forest car park and picnic area labelled Hindleap on the south side of the road heading west from Wych Cross to Sharpthorne at GR 403324.

* By Public Transport: None convenient.

* What’s underfoot: A relatively short but fairly strenuous walk with several hills and rough and uneven underfoot in places.

* Thirsty Work: No refreshments on the route.

* So you don’t get lost: OS Explore 135.