Chelwood Gate, The Forest Garden and Birch Grove (9 miles)

We head Southeast across Ashdown Forest, passing the Old Air Strip built in the early 1940s by the Canadian army for use in World War II, then through heathland and around Chelwood Vachery to the Forest Garden created shortly before 1910 by Sir Stuart Samuel. On to Chelwood Corner and then heading South passing Chelwood Farm with views of the South Downs. We then turn West to Box’s lane and on to Chelwood Gate for a picnic lunch at the Fairy Cottage.
After lunch we head into the Birch Grove Estate which was the former family home of Harold Macmillan. Then passing Lizards Cricket Club we come to Macmillan Clump before heading North passed Gale House which was the home of Robert Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood.
We pass Kennedy and Wych Cross Clumps on our way back to the start.

Subject to walk leaders approval we do allow well behaved dogs under full control of their owner. If you wish to bring your dog on the walk, please check with the walk leader before arriving for the walk.

Please note that there is a £2 payment required for non-Ramblers members to help cover our Meetup costs. Please help the walk leader by bringing the exact change.
Members of the Ramblers Association 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 to 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).