Country Walking (10 minute car; 3 hours 15 walk) Done (27.Dec.10) 3*

Details

Starting Point

Dormansland station

Time

3 hours 15

Distance

9 miles

Refreshments

Plough Inn, Dormansland; Riverside Brasserie, Haxted Mill; Star Inn, Lingfield

Introduction

A famous racecourse, a moated castle, a working watermill, a superb collection of church monuments - and a trip to both eastern and western hemispheres!

Finish

Return Lingfield-Dormansland by train.

The Walk

  • Follow path (FP) on right (east) side of Dormansland station building over common.
    • In 300 yards, left along Mill Lane.
    Here (2) you cross the Greenwich Meridian (0 Longitude), an can stand with one foot in either hemisphere. Mill Lane is an old-fashioned, tree-shaded country lane of the pre-motorcar era. Through gaps in the left-hand hedge you can see the white rails and gallops of Lingfield Park racecourse, a favourite among punters for its lovely setting.
    • In 200 yards, cross railway (3), then golf course. Continue into woods.
    • In 200 yards, right at track crossroads ((3) - '18th Tee' FP).
    • In 150 yards, right (blue WMA's) on path, across golf course (beware flying balls!), under railway (4) and on.
    • At West Street, ahead to cross road ((5) - FP); along path to B2028; right to Plough Inn at crossroads (6).
    • Ahead down Ford Manor Road. In 300 yards, pass Ford House; fork right ((7) - 'Greathead manor', PB).
    • Pass drives to Greathead Manor and Ford Manor.
    • In 200 yards, left by pond (8); track bends left, then right in front of red and black brick buildings.
    • On through trees, then between fields for 1/3 mile. Pass Littleworth Cottage (9).
    • In 50 yards lane bends left; in another 50 yards, on right bend (10), go left through metal gate (VW, blkue WMA) along a grassy lane, north for 1/2 mile to B2028 (11). Right for 20 yards; left over stile (VW, FP).
    • Diagonally across field, aiming 2/3 way up opposite hedge to cross stile (12); left up driveway of Starborough Castle ((13) - private residence)
    The original 14th century Starborough castle - seat of the Cobham family, champions and friends of the English monarchs - was demolished in 1649 on the orders of Oliver Cromwell. These days the square castle moat guards a painstakingly restored Georgian 'Gothic pavilion' amid beautiful water features.
    • Beside castle gates, left over stile (VW); right along hedge.
    • At top, cross stile; right along lane for 50 yards.
    • Up farm drive (14) towards Cernes Farm.
    • Before farm, left over stile (15); follow VW direction arrow across field, over footbridge and stile; ahead to top left corner of field; cross stile ((16) - VW); right along road for 450 yards to cross bridge over Eden Brook (17).
    • Right over stile (FP); cross field, then footbridge over River Eden (18).
    • Ahead to road at Haxted Mill (19).
    Haxted Mill is a gorgeous old weather boarded building, part Georgian, part Tudor. The old wooden milling gear inside is in working order, and there's a display on milling through the ages. The Riverside Brasserie is a nice spot for lunch by the mill pool.
    • Right (east) along road for 150 yards (please take great care - narrow cutting!); left up Dwelly Lane ('Oxted' sign) for 2/3 mile to pass through copse.
    • On far side, left through gate (20); left along fence; cross stile in far left corner of field (WMA).
    • Left to cross footbridge; follow WMA direction across field, through wide break in far hedge to the right of the large tree.
    • Continue in same direction following field edge with hedge running to your left; through hedge gap at end of field (21); across next, diamond-shaped field to cross stile in furthest corner.
    • Across next field to cross stile in far right corner; left along path between hedges.
    • At end, follow yellow WMA's round Puttenham Manor grounds to road (22).
    • Turn right (please take care!); in 50 yards ignore FP on left; in another 200 yards, left over stile ((23) - FP, WMA).
    • Diagonally right across field, aiming for 3 trees to left of telegraph poles.
    • Cross Eden Brook, over gate and turn right over stile.
    • Follow along brook for 450 yards to cross stile (WMA) into lane (25).
    • Through gate opposite, follow yellow WMA direction across ditch in line of trees.
    • Aim a quarter left across next field towards gate in far hedge.
    • Just before it, left through gate in left-hand hedge (26); forward with hedge on left and Lingfield church spire ahead.
    • At field bottom, through gate, over stile; along Green Lane past cottages on left, the FP on right.
    • In 15 yards, right along front of Park Farm farmhouse (27) and on.
    • In 300 yards cross railway (28), then road; down Bakers Lane opposite; at top, left along Church Road to Lingfield Church.
    The Church of St Peter & St Paul (29) contains wonderful monuments to the Cobham family of Starborough Castle. These effigies, brasses and carved tombs of the medieval knights and their ladies are among the finest in the county. The Cobhams fought at Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt, the great English victories of the Hundred years War (1337-1453) against the French.
    • Leave the churchyard by south-east corner, passing Church Gate Cottage to cross road.
    • Down left side of Star Inn (30); along tarmac footpath over open ground for 300 yards to road; cross to Lingfield station..