LEGGETT'S WOOD - hidden High Weald

PARKING and ASSEMBLY
Park and assemble at the entrance to Leggett's Wood TN19 7DW, opposite (Little) Perryman's Barn on Kings Hill Rd - there's a Leggett's Wood Forestry Commission sign behind the parking area barrier. Space is limited but there is additional parking on nearby verges, especially when approaching from the south just past the entrance to British Gypsum Brightling Mine. From here, the meeting place is a short walk down the road.
We aim to start walking at 10:45.

TOILETS
There are no public toilets on this walk but there are plenty of woods.

LUNCH
We will stop for lunch. Please bring your own favourite sustenance and something to sit on. We will have a second break so bring a snack for this.

OUR WALK
We explored this area in June 2025, but this time the route is shorter, and we will be doing it in reverse so we go down the steepest hill instead of up at the end! Total ascent is now reduced to 307 metres. Much of our circular walk of around 6.25 miles is in woods. We begin by literally walking above Brightling Mine (which is accessed by Land Rover via a 420m-long drift at a 1:8 decline from the surface. The mining depth varies from around 100m to 350m at its lowest point. Mined area covers 6.5 square km and has consent for a total footprint of 26 square km!). We have excellent panoramic views near Brightling Observatory and we also see the Brightling Needle.
We explore a remarkably preserved medieval landscape of small fields lined with hedges and shaws, of ancient oaks and coppiced woodland. We drop down into the Dudwell River valley near Willingford Farm. Then we travel along the valley before heading back up through atmospheric woods to our cars.

GROUP MEMBERSHIP FEE
This walk is for members of the 'East Sussex Walking' Meetup group and their guests. If you wish to join this walk and are not currently a paid-up member of this group, please follow this link for further details: www.meetup.com/eastsussexwalking . Our group intro includes details of how to apply to join the group as well as how to make payment of your £5 membership fee to the group's bank account once your application has been accepted.

IMPORTANT
1. To contact me on the walk day, please phone/text me rather than messaging Meetup. I will send my number to attendees a couple of days before the walk.
2. Please remember that accidents can happen anywhere. You take part at your own risk, and the walk leader cannot be held responsible for any injuries.
3. Consider bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, rain jacket, warm jacket, gloves/warm hat depending on the weather, and of course wear comfortable footwear. Walking poles are always useful.

I look forward to welcoming you on Sunday 4 October.
Each and every one of our footsteps helps to keep our paths accessible. 🍂🍁🌳