14:21
WALK
Cooksbridge to Hassocks
A
WALK
t 24m (78 feet) above sea level the start point is the low point of the day, which must mean it’s all uphill from here… though it’s barely noticeable! From the black fingerpost behind platform 1, beside the level crossing, follow the narrow path through the lush undergrowth to the step stile. Once over it, stride out diagonally towards the ladder stile across the field and Beechwood Lane beyond. Turn right and follow the tarmac for ¾ of a mile to where the road turns 90° right. 10m beyond the bend, scramble through the gap in the hedge on the left and into the field. Turn right and follow the path diagonally between the chicken wire and stock proof fence, into the trees and adjacent field. Emerging into a sea of broad beans, the path continues uphill past the fingerpost to the stump just beyond. Turn left and follow the field boundary to the far end. Faced with two paths into the trees, take the left option and continue alongside the
With street parties all the rage this jubilee season, we sent our own magnificent seven out for a walk this month, under the tutelage of resident rambler, Robert Veitch. Have your own street party we suggested, and in their own way they did, and they did it in style
high stock proof fencing, dipping downhill, past a gate and ancient oak, before ascending to the junction with the grassy track. Turn left and after 60m, bear right, through the gap in the hedge, through the scrub, up five steps and into a field of seedlings.
The peculiar oak
Following the road around the 90° left turn, before utilising the very civilised ladder stile
Broad beans
Bear right and follow the field boundary downhill towards the track and into the adjacent field. On the left is a ‘peculiar oak’ with “dead branches reaching up towards the heavens,” remarked Gill. Follow the field periphery all the way to the ladder stile, then once over the other side, turn right, and after 10m, turn left and cross the 3-sleeper bridge. The path leads diagonally across a meadow of buttercups to a kissing gate. Ramble across the next field towards the three oaks and distant step stile. Beyond this, turn left, and wander along the concrete drive, over the cattle grid, then all
June 2022 | SUSSEX LIVING 113
June 22 Walk – Cooksbridge to Hassocks.indd 113
25/05/2022 15:12
