soothe & stroll & unwind
Country Breaks in Burwash
About Burwash
This charming Norman village was the home of Rudyard Kipling and is the perfect starting point for an exploration of 1066 Country with good links to various walks and attractions.
Walking
Being located on a ridge, most of the walks around Burwash are hilly, although they also afford spectacular views of the countryside. Burwash lies on the Ordnance Survey Explorer 136 map, although Explorer 124 will also be useful if you plan to explore south of Burwash. Alternatively visit www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk for online maps.
Batemans' the home of Rudyard Kipling - 1 mile (1.5 km) in each direction. If arriving in Burwash by bus, or walking from the High Street, Batemans is a relatively short walk downhill (uphill on the way back!) by following the High Street in the direction of Heathfield (west). After leaving the village, there is a sign pointing down a hill to Batemans on the left hand side.
Stonegate Station to Burwash - this circular route is 8 miles (13 km) and has fine views across the Sussex Weald. More information can be found in the publication "20 Walks in Hastings and the 1066 Countryside" published by the Hastings Ramblers Club, and available from Hastings Information Centre (telephone 0845 274 1001 or email: hic@hastings.gov.uk). Alternatively see OS Explorer Map 136.
Two-centre walk that includes both Burwash and Burwash Weald - 7 miles (11 km) including numerous hills, stiles and some muddy paths. The walk can be started either at Burwash or Burwash Weald. Both villages have a pub, and therefore there is an opportunity to have refreshments half way round. The walk also passes Batemans, the 17th Century home of Rudyard Kipling. For more information visit frs.accesseastsussex.org or call East Sussex County Council on 01273 482354.
Dudwell Valley - this walk of 7.5 miles (12 km) uses a number of little used paths and drops down into the Dudwell Valley, in which flows the principal tributary of the Rother. For further information see On Foot On The High Weald, available from S.B. Publications at www.sbpublications.co.uk or telephone 01323 893498.
Cycling
With limited public transport, one of the best ways to visit Burwash is by bicycle. The hilly route from Stonegate Station (3.5 miles or 5km) is all on minor roads, and is best approached by passing through Witherenden and then turning left down Spring Lane, which emerges at the south-west end of Burwash High Street. For more information see Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 136 or visit the www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Cuckoo Trail loop - a hilly, but scenic 24 mile / 39 km circuit which incorporates the Cuckoo Trail (a disused railway line running between Heathfield and Polegate), as well as the villages of Woods Corner, Rushlake Green, Warbleton, and Maynards Green. For more information visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk, or telephone East Sussex County Council on 01273 481000.
From Burwash there are many country lanes that can be explored by bicycle and a good map. The best Ordnance Survey maps are the Explorer series, numbers 136 and 124, or visit the www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Millennium Cycle Rides in 1066 Country (available from www.challenge-publications.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk price: £4.95) includes three routes in or around Burwash of between 20 and 24 miles (33 km-38 km) all of which are on minor roads and country lanes.
Other suggested cycle rides in the area can be found at www.highweald.org.
Riding: Bring your own horse or pony
There are a number of Toll Ride Routes around Burwash, including in Burwash Woods, Brightling Deer Park, and slightly further afield at Darwell and Heathfield. Permits are required - these and relevant details can be obtained from www.tollrides.co.uk.
The High Weald Route is a long distance bridle route running from the West Sussex border to the South Downs Way. It passes through Burwash Common at its mid-way point. For a map and more information contact Mrs C White, Primrose Lodge, Duddleswell, Uckfield, TN22 3JN, and include a stamped addressed envelope.
The Cuckoo Trail is a picturesque track that follows the former 'Cuckoo Line' railway track. It can be joined at Heathfield (6.5 miles (10 km) from Burwash. The 11 mile (16km) surfaced track through the Sussex countryside is a safe route for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders of all ages. Visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk for more information.
Riding Schools
Model Farm Riding Centre - BHS qualified staff teach all levels of experience within 500 acres of woodland (11 miles or 18km from Burwash).
Normanhurst
Battle
TN33 9LS
Telephone: 01424 773088
Bedgebury Riding Centre is a leading BHS approved equestrian centre providing riding tuition. It is 10 miles (16 km) from Burwash. Visit www.bedgeburyschool.co.uk for more information. Brightling Polo Club offers polo tuition as well as around 10 match days for spectators to enjoy the game during the season (May to September). For further information visit www.brightlingpolo.com or call 01424 838801.
Where to stay
See our accommodation pages.
What to see and do
Visit our Countryside Attractions page for details of places to visit in the area.
Visit our Countryside Events page for details of places to visit in the area.
Some of the highlights of the area include:
Batemans' - 17th Century Jacobean home of Rudyard Kipling set in a stunning ten-acre garden with working watermill, tearoom and gift shop.
See our Batemans' pages for more information.
St Bartholomews Church - restored in 1856, part of the 11th century Norman tower remains. There is also a shingled broach spire, typical of Sussex. A gravestone to Jhone Colins is the earliest one in the country that can be dated.
See our St Bartholomews Church page for more information.
What to buy
There's a fantastic choice of treasures and treats on offer in shops around Burwash. To whet your appetite, here's a sample of local shops:
Specialist Shops
Chateau Briand Antiques
High Street
Burwash
TN19 7ES
Telephone: 01435 882535
Wealden Ironcrafts
The Forge
High Street
Burwash
TN19 7ET
Telephone: 01435 883422
Beech Hill Farm - small quantity of organically reared and fed lamb, plus a small quantity of organically produced fruit and vegetables in season.
Rushlake Green
TN21 9QB
Telephone: 01435 830203
e-Mail: Julia@desch.go-plus.net
web: www.sussexcountryretreat.co.uk
See also www.woolcraftwithwensleydale.com
Suggested days out
See our Attractions and Events pages for full details of what to see and do in the area, why not try:
Battle
Visit one of the most famous battlefields in history - the site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings. Battle can be reached by train from either Stonegate (18 minutes journey time) or Etchingham (12 minutes) - both close to Burwash. Trains depart hourly throughout the day, including Sundays. If you are on foot or bicycle, use Stonegate. If you prefer to travel by bus, the service goes to Etchingham.
However, check the times of your return bus trip as services tend to stop early.
Once in Battle, visit the tourism information centre by the Abbey where you can pick up the Battle Town Trail, a self-guided tour providing an interesting snapshot into the town's history. The town trail includes the key sites (including The Almonry and St Mary's Church), and commences at Battle Abbey. Be sure to take the interactive audio tour of the Abbey and Battlefield to get a good feel for what really happened in 1066.
Fuller's Follies Trail
Before reading this, go to our Fuller's Follies pages to learn more about the strange history of these structures and the life of the man who made them - Jack Fuller .
As you approach Burwash in almost any direction, you are likely to see the 646ft Brightling Needle (which is located on the highest point in the area. Brightling Needle is one of the many follies built by John 'Mad Jack' Fuller, who lived at Rose Hill (now Brightling Park) during the latter part of the 18th Century and early part of the 19th Century.
Visiting the many follies of 'Mad Jack' Fuller make this a fascinating day out from Burwash. You'll need a good map (ideally Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 124) or visit www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk to plan your route.
The village you are heading to is Brightling, and there are many ways of getting there, combining footpaths, bridleways and country lanes. The walk to Brightling is almost all uphill, and strenuous in places, however the reward for this are some spectacular views in all directions, and in particular back to Burwash.
A good place to start the Folly Trail is Thomas a Becket church in Brightling. Fuller's 25ft pyramid is in the churchyard, under which he was interred in 1834. In the church itself there is a bust of Fuller, and you should be able to buy a copy of a publication about him and his follies at the back of the church by the door.
From the church, explore his other follies: the Needle (marked 'Obelisk' on OS maps), the Rotunda Temple (marked 'Temple'), the Tower (marked 'Twr'), the Sugar Loaf (marked 'Mon') and the Observatory. All five sites lie in or just outside of the roughly circular road that is bounded by Brightling, Darwell Hole, Woods Corner, and Mill House Farm. There is no public access to the Needle or Rotunda Temple - although footpaths pass close by to provide good views, and the Observatory is now a private residence. However, you can climb the tower for spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, and go into the conical shaped Sugar Loaf.
Head to The Swan at Woods Corner for lunch before continuing your tour, or heading back (downhill!) to Burwash.
How to get to Burwash
By Bus
Buses run Monday to Saturday.
Bus Number 319: operates Monday to Friday between Hurst Green and Heathfield, calling at Etchingham, Burwash, Burwash Common, and Broad Oak in between. Services are limited - around 8 per day.
Bus Number 318: operates on Saturday between Etchingham and Uckfield, calling at Burwash, Burwash Common, Broad Oak, Heathfield, and Blackboys in between. Services are limited (only around 4 in each direction during the day) with none after mid-afternoon.
For more information call 0870 608 2608 or visit www.traveline.org.uk
By Train
Travel to Stonegate (3.8 miles / 6 km from Burwash) or Etchingham (2.4 miles / 4 km from Burwash) on the London Charing Cross to Hastings line. Services are hourly in each direction.
For more information call national rail enquiries on 0845 7484950, or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk
By Car
Burwash lies on the A265 between Heathfield (6.5 miles or 10km) and Hurst Green (4 miles or 6.5 km). The A265 joins the main A21 which runs south from Junction 5 of the M25 to Hastings.
Where can I get more information?
Find the details for Battle Tourist Information Centre here on our Contact Us page.
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