Burhay four

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked this after a lot of rain in March and the bit near Theobald's bridleway was nearly impassable for about one kilometre, though I could appreciate it would be a fantastic route in the summer. Theobalds had a number of signs explaining the history and nature of the area which I enjoyed reading.

The route is fairly road heavy at each end but there aren't loads of options between these two towns. So its a 'gets the job done' sort of route but not the prettiest.

I walked this from Burgess Hill to Haywards Heath on a warmish early-autumn afternoon, when a few rain showers had happened in the few preceding days.

It was a delightful walk. Although there was a little bit of "road walking" in Burgess Hill, most of the route was through green spaces. The parts north of Rocky Lane along the railway were a little muddy though, and I can imagine they'd be very muddy winter come. There were some delightful views, and a few stiles and gates. Some of the route went along a steep forest route to the new Rocky housing estate, was looked very engineered. The section near Haywards Heath was a little urban, but still with plenty of lovely constructed parks. Would walk again!.

Having tried unsuccessfully to figure out an offroad route between these two settlements when I lived in Haywards Heath over twenty years ago. I was interested to walk this route. The route starting from Haywards Heath Station gets off the main road fairly quickly before using Clair Park and then a series of alleyways to cross Haywards Heath to South Road, which is the main shopping street. I was particularly excited to pass a bin shed (pictured) which I happen to know lies on 51 degrees north! The rest of the route is a well plotted sensible use of green spaces, in around and between the two settlements. The only major crossing is the A272 which was simple. The bridleway north of Theobalds Road had cut up and hardened, which made walking a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn't impassable. The route links up with Wivelsfield Railway Station (the better connected of the two Burgess Hill stations). The final section follows Junction Road which is handy for shops but has a level crossing which frequently closes on the busy line from London to Eastbourne. Going this way round is slightly more direct than routes to the west of the line. Worth noting that there are numerous stiles on this route and it is not accessible. In summary though, a well conceived, direct, safe, connected and interesting Slow Way.

Walked from Haywards Heath to Burgess Hill on Saturday 5th Feb 2022.

This route joins together the best bits of the other three BURHAYs to provide a quiet route, mainly off road between the two largest population centres in Mid Sussex.

From Haywards Heath station it uses the path through The Heath, through the churchyard at St. Wilfrid's across South Road and through Victoria Park. Then along the quiet residential Sunnywood Drive. Look out for the eight flat-roofed 1930s houses by famous international modernist architect Berthold Lubetkin & Tecton.

Head right across the railway bridge to Ashenground Woods. Along the path beside the railway to the High Bridge at Rocky Lane and the turn left along to the new roundabout.

Then head into the Rocky Drive estate, peeling off left onto Pullman Avenue. Follow this to the end, at which point you are able to pick up the footpath through Kiln Wood (hooray!!)

This footpath is quite muddy but easy to follow through the wood and beside a field to Clearwaters Lane. There are a couple of stiles in this section. Turn left and walk along the lane to the first footpath sign on the right. This heads through the farmyard at Clearwaters Farm. Muddy once again, this is a busy equestrian centre.

Take the straight ahead path until you reach the Theobalds Road bridle path (still muddy) and turn right. Follow this as it heads past some nice houses including the II* listed Theobalds Farm, to reach Valebridge Road at the north end of Burgess Hill. Turn left heading south down the hill until the footpath sign on the right. Head down the lane, under the railway embankment then turn left alongside the embankment to reach Leylands Road.

Cross the road and into the Railwaylands green space. Follow the path with the railway on your left to the end, then turn left across another railway bridge to emerge onto Junction Road opposite St. Andrew's church. Turn right and head up Junction Road to the top of the hill, then turn right at the roundabout down past the Top House pub to Burgess Hill railway station.

The route is muddy in sections, there are a couple of stiles. The area around Wivelsfield Station has shops and a pub.

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