Paul S's Cowden Four Counties - 12.3 miles, moderate

This walk starts in Kent, and we pass through Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex.
We start from outside St Mary Magdalene Church and head North and then West out of the Village along the Sussex border path and head up the driveway to Waystrode Manor. The Roman London to Lewes Road crossed where the Manor Gardens are now. We continue up the Sussex Border path as we climb up to Dry hill where there are fine views of the North Downs. Heading South we enter Surrey and join the Vanguard way, and after Beeches Farm there are views of Ashdown Forest and the South Downs beyond. We continue along the Vanguard Way, entering East Sussex, passing the entrance to Gotwick Manor. After West Wood we climb up to the former Gatehouse of Hammerwood Park, where we should be able to glimpse Hammerwood Park. which is a Grade I listing building built in the Greek Revival architectural style in 1792 as the first independent work of Benjamin Henry Latrobe.
Leaving the Vanguard Way, we head Southwest entering West Sussex and Shortly afterwards the village of Ashurst Wood where we will stop for Lunch in one of the two recreation grounds.
After lunch we head West along Hammerwood Road, then Cansiron Lane, and before we enter Polllard’s Wood there are fine views towards Hartfield. We pass Great Cansiron Farm and Little Cansiron Farm, and cross Sweetwood Park Golf Club on our way back to Cowden.
Optional drink in The Fountain.

NB: There is a £2 payment required for non-Ramblers Assoc. members to help cover our Meetup costs. Please help the walk leader by bringing the exact change. Ramblers members are welcome on any of our walks, but we would still encourage you to RSVP on Meetup. This will give our volunteer walk leaders an idea of how many are attending, and also keep the numbers manageable. If, on the day of the walk, you are still on the waiting list and a Ramblers member, you can attend - just let the walk leader know you are coming by adding a comment 'Coming as a Rambler'. You will find the start location via our website

[Our Walks (westkentwalkinggroup.org.uk)](https://www.westkentwalkinggroup.org.uk/our-walks.html).