13
The Moor, Hawkhurst to Northiam - 7½ miles (Start point TQ756296)
Roadside parking around The Moor, Hawkhurst at TQ756296
and in the village car park in Northiam at TQ829245
The moated castle at Bodiam must surely be one of the finest in the country,
and the Sussex Border Path provides a striking approach to it from the North.
This section of the route, along clear and easy-to-follow field paths and
tracks, passes through more fine undulating countryside.
Refreshment options: The Eight Bells, a traditional pub close by on The Moor.
The Black Pig, recommended for food and local beers, a short distance
down Highgate Hill.
On reaching the road at The Moor (TQ756296), turn right and almost
immediately left into Pipers Lane.
Cross next road and follow road opposite, leaving Hawkhurst Parish Church
on right.
At next junction, go straight across and follow Stream Lane.
After about half a mile, opposite a bungalow called ‘Thainstone’ on left, fork
right along access drive to East Heath which becomes a green lane.
Follow this old road for half a mile, mostly well-defined between banks except
final section which climbs along right field edge to join road.
Turn left along road and, in less than 100 yards, where road bends left, keep
right along metalled access drive.
Go straight through Conghurst Farm buildings and continue on farm track. In
350 yards, about 150 yards short of bottom of hill, turn right along headland
track with hedge on left. (This was not signed at time of checking)
Where hedge ends, cross causeway and footbridge and climb with wood on
right following path round to left.
Just short of buildings, turn left (not signed at time of checking) along track
and after 100 yards turn right along wide grassy path which descends into
valley.
Bear right over stream to climb track between hedges.
At farm go ahead through metal swing gate and follow access drive serving
several properties for half a mile out to Bodiam Road.
Turn right and, after 10 yards, go left through gate and diagonally up across
middle of field, aiming for prominent oak tree on skyline.
Go through squeeze gate next to tree and left along field edge to stile.
Go forward and bear right up steep bank.
Go over stile in fence and up across grass.
Join track, bear left for 20 yards, then right, joining and following hedge on
right. Bodiam Castle comes into view
Continue south on path, then over stile into castle grounds.
Keeping the Castle to the left, maintain a SSW direction through the grounds
and out to the road. (TQ783254).
Refreshment options: The Castle pub. National Trust cafe.
Turn left across bridge over river.
After 100 yards, turn left over stile, bear left to join and follow raised river bank.
On reaching gate and ditch, turn right along bank of ditch towards Kent &
East Sussex Railway line. Here turn right along field edge until you can cross
railway using two stiles.
Turn left over third stile, bear right, passing to right of barn, then over
footbridge and along right field edge.
In corner, cross second footbridge, bear half left across field corner to stile,
then trend left to join and follow left field edge uphill.
Go over stile beside gate, forward for 100 yards along left edge of second
field, then left over stile, through belt of woodland and out into field through
swing gate.
Turn right and follow right field edge up to join road at TQ793244.
Turn left into Ewhurst Green.
Refreshment option: The White Dog, Ewhurst Green.
After passing Ewhurst Green church on right and soon after ‘White Dog’ P.H.
on left, turn right through gap and along left edge of field.
After 350 yards, turn left over footbridge and follow right edge of orchard.
At far corner of orchard, turn right over footbridge and walk beside hedge,
parallel to road before joining road over stile next to double gate, TQ805247.
Turn right along road for 150 yards and, just before reaching bridge over
stream, go left over stile and follow stream bank.
At corner of field, cross stream by footbridge.
The correct line of the path crosses the field (ESE) aiming for the far corner,
however locals appear to be using the footpath straight on to the bridge and
turning right on the headland (which is not a right of way).
From far field corner, narrow path winds through trees and scrub.
Go straight across next field (still ESE) to cross another footbridge.
Keep along left edge of next field and, in 200 yards, cross stream on left via
culvert.
Proceed along valley with stream on right, over stile beside gate and out to
road at Strawberry Hole, TQ820243.
Cross road into driveway opposite and immediately turn left along path,
parallel and to left of drive to ‘Strawberry Hole Cottage.’
Emerge into field and diverge at about 10 degrees from left field edge to find
gap in hedge, with church on horizon.
Head slightly left across field, following carefully defined strip.
After about 150 yards, turn squarely right, still along defined cross-field path.
Join and go ahead along left field boundary.
After 70 yards, in field corner, go ahead along narrow path through scrub,
over wooden causeway and on along right field edge.
From field corner, gravel path leads ahead between houses to A28 at
Northiam, TQ829245.
Refreshment option: Will’s Bakery
Route checked and revised Summer 2015