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Directions
Leaving Tickeridge Farm (OS ref: 365355) behind you, cross
the road into the Forestry Com-mission road opposite, marked
Birch Farm, Mill Place Farm, etc. (The Bluebell Railway line
can be seen on the left from a number of points along this
road.) Stay on this road, ignoring all tracks to left and
right.
In about half a mile, where the road begins to go downhill
(signposted Birch Farm Nursery and Mill Place Farm), continue
ahead, passing Brookbank Cottage on the left. Shortly afterwards,
at the gateway marked Birch Farm Nursery, turn left on the
road that leads to the Bluebell Railway line and Mill Place
Farm. Immediately before the railway bridge (OS ref: 372347),
turn sharp right onto the footpath that runs back through
a copse (ignore the track rising into the field)
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When the footpath reaches the surfaced road, bear left and
continue forward toward Birch Farm Nursery.
Where the curving road rises to the entrance to Birch Farm
Nursery, turn right through the metal five-bar gate into the
field, crossing to the stile in the far right corner. Cross
the stile into the woods. In one hundred and fifty metres,
turn right onto a crossing grassy track.
(In dry conditions, it is possible to continue on the line
of the footpath rather than turn right onto this grassy track.
The footpath then reaches the rough forest road as below.)
In one hundred and twenty five metres, turn left where the
grassy track meets a rough surfaced forest road. (This is
a permissive bridle path through Forestry Enterprise woods.)
Stay on this rough road for one mile, ignoring all turnings
to left and right. At the end of the road, go through gap
at side of double gates. (OS ref: 371329)
(The large building in front of you is the former Bluebell
public house, now a private residence. Opposite is the site
of the former West Hoathly railway station, on the dismantled
East Grinstead to Lewes line, now partially restored as the
Bluebell Railway. A gateway opposite the former Bluebell pub
leads to a crossing of the Bluebell Railway line, with a good
view of the northern end of Sharpthorne tunnel to the right.
The grass-covered remains of the station platforms are clearly
seen.)
On leaving the forest road, turn immediately right on to a
rising unmade road (Bluebell Lane), with houses on the left
and scrub on the right. Where the unmade road ends, continue
on a steeply-rising footpath. Ignore paths to left and right,
and stay on the steepest path, keeping the fields on your
right. Join the main road at The Intrepid Fox public house
(formerly the Vinols Crosss Inn), Sharpthorne (OS ref: 368325).
(Church Lane opposite leads to West Hoathly heritage village
- church, Priest House, pub, post office and shop, etc)
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