turn left into Top Street. Alternatively, continue straight ahead for a short stroll up the incline and take some refreshment at the Bolney Stage, afterwards returning to Top Street. The Bolney Stage dates back to c.1500 but was not, as Sussex cover popular myth would have it, a coaching inn, although it does lie
on the line of the old Pyecombe to Bolney turnpike which formed part of London to Brighton road. With the advent of the motor car, the former Fords Farm became the Tudor Tea Rooms and, in the 1960s, gained a pub licence to be renamed The Bolney Stage. Once in Top Street, 100m from the junction with the old A23, turn left into Cherry Lane. In Cherry Lane you will pass some cottages on the left. The non-sequential numbering is reputedly the order in which the properties were acquired and merged into the owner’s estate. At the end of Cherry Lane, you emerge back into The Street opposite the Rawson Hall. The Rawson Hall was built in 1881, originally as a coffee house and reading room for men and youths over the age of 15. Later, women and girls were admitted on the condition their presence did not interfere with the menfolk’s activities. In 1924, the Hall was gifted to the village by the Rawson family in memory of their late father, Colonel Richard Hamilton Rawson, with the stipulation it be known as the Rawson Institute. In the 1930s, a larger brick and timber roofed hall and toilets were added to the rear of the original Victorian Hall which now bears a preservation order. Turn left (downhill) back towards Batchelor’s Field and, after 50m, you will pass the village war memorial. In this latter part of the walk, you may have witnessed some house names evoking the use of the property in a bygone age – The Bakery, Butchers, Agates. The Café will be a welcoming sight at the end of your walk, but it is only a short distance further if the Eight Bells Inn, with its restaurant and a timely glass of ale, 2is your preference. 2009 5/27/09 10:57 AM Page 2 continued on next page
Townings Farm Shop Meat for the connoisseur Ea Or st ga er n Tr ic ea ts
www.towningsfarm.co.uk
OCKENDEN MANOR HOTEL
AND SPA OCKENDEN MANOR
25% DISCOUNT
* is Set in the Tudor Village of Cuckfield this charming house set in nine acres of grounds just an hour from London and 20 minutes from Brighton. It is within a short drive of Wakehurst, Nymans, Borde Hill and making an and ideal spot for lunch, *This offerLeonardslee entitles you to agardens 25% discount off fooditonly is valid Monday to Friday, expiring on 31st March 2013. Maximum eight per table, one voucher per table. afternoon tea people or dinner.
from our daily lunch menu
Mutton – Hogget – Lamb Beef – Pork – Turkey EASTER AT TOWNINGS FARM
Excludes Valentines, is subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Includes VAT at 20%.
Present this advertisement and receive
Please this offer when making a reservation 10%quote off your total lunch or dinner bill (not bring available any other offer) and thiswith voucher with you.
U
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Townings Farm, Plumpton Road, Chailey, Lewes BN8 4EJ
Ockenden Manor Cuckfi eld, West Sussex RH17 5LD Cuckfield,West Telephone 01444Sussex 416111RH17 5LD Telephone 01444 416111 Facsimile 01444 415549 Facsimile 01444 415549 www.hshotels.co.uk www.hshotels.co.uk
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Tel: 01444 471352 email: info@towningsfarm.co.uk
Ockenden Manor Hotel and Spa
EN M ND
O AN
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK Local delivery available call or email for details
• OCKE
easter eggs • local produce • chickens • lambs
D
Speciality Meat
CKFIEL
SuSSex Living March 2013
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