If you’re exploring the High Weald area of East Sussex, the countryside around Eridge and Groombridge has a lot to offer. This 9 km East Sussex circular walk can be done on foot or by bike, with the option of shortening or lengthening the route. There are also lots of points of interest along the way.
Logistics
Park at Eridge station (limited free parking) or catch the mainline train to Eridge. Your route is going to take you up the west side of the Spa Valley Railway Line to Groombridge. From Groombridge (a distance of about 4 km), you can either jump on the Spa Valley Railway and catch the train back to Eridge or back to Tunbridge Wells, or you can walk back to the start on the east side of the Spa Valley Railway line.
Walking route
From Eridge station, set off up the little lane marked “cycle route” and “vineyard” to the left of the station as you look at it. This wonderfully quiet lane is quintessentially Sussex. Walking passed hedgerows bursting with wildlife, you’ll pass a little weir and then Sanden Vineyard (check opening times in advance if you want to stop for some tasting, and remember the vineyard because you’ll be able to see it from Harrison’s Rocks across the valley on your way home).
At the top of the hill, you will come to a junction. Here you have choices. If you turn right, this will take you via sleepy lanes to Groombridge.
It’s about 2 km and you just follow the lane, all the way to Groombridge and the Spa Valley Railway station. If you turn left, it’s about 3 km to Groombridge but has some wonderfully secluded countryside. You follow the lane, which after a short distance, bends sharply to the right and then descends down a steep hill.
At the bottom of the hill at a spot called Mott’s Mill (look out for some colourful characters warning of potholes), you’ll pick up the High Weald Landscape Trail to your right. Follow this up through a lovely wood, and out to a long open valley along the edge of Mott’s Mill stream. Keep going until the landscape opens up onto fields where you’ll see two WWII pillboxes and a railway bridge on the far side.
Passing under the railway bridge, it’s a short walk to the lane where you turn left and follow it into Groombridge and to the Spa Valley Railway station.
Once you’ve rested a while, retrace your steps to where you left the High Weald Landscape Trail and head east. Stick on the High Weald Landscape Trail into Aytton’s wood and then Birchden Woods. This is home to Harrison’s Rocks, which is popular with climbers. The footpath takes you along the bottom of the rocks, but there is an alternative route that takes you along the top and then rejoins the High Weald Landscape Trail a little later. If you time your walk well, you’ll be able to see and hear the Spa Valley Railway steam trains from Harrison’s Rocks and see the vineyard you passed at the beginning.
If you’ve walked at the base of the rocks, the path opens out onto a little lane and you turn right across the river and railway. You are at the weir you passed at the start and just have to retrace your steps back to Eridge station. If you walked along the top of the rocks, when you come to the lane, turn right, and in a short distance you will come to the weir.
Cycle route option
From Eridge, you are on a section of National Cycle Route 21 (and a bit of 18) and this will take you all the way to Groombridge. To return to Eridge, follow National Cycle Route 18 east out of Groombridge. Take the first turning right signed to Harrison’s Rocks. It’s a narrow lane but will take you all the way back to the start. This route is roughly 7 km, but you miss Harrison’s Rocks.
If you’ve enjoyed this East Sussex Circular Walk/ Cycle: Eridge to Groombridge, you may also like:
