I'm now on the second of the series of six, and opted to put my own bit of spin upon it by adding some local history into the article, and no b#lls##t.
Bridleway Two in this series detailing the bridleways of Ashdown Forest.
Woodmans Bridleway as it tends to be called now, used to be a pack horse route, and detailed on maps from 1747 as Greenwood to Rotherfield, starting at Greenwood Gate and ending at Heave Gate. I first started to use this bridleway at the age of about ten years old, when we would use it to go fishing in the second mill pond and is a route that I am quite fond of.
Note - As with any designated bridleway, remember that walkers and horse riders also have permitted use of these routes, so please be respectful to both and give way accordingly.
Woodmans bridleway is one of the more popular routes, mainly because it starts in Crowborough, and also because it can be used throughout the year.
Should parking be required, this can be found at either end of the bridleway, Rannoch Road at the Crowborough end, and Wood Reeves carpark on the B2188. Please note though, that Wood Reeves only offers seasonal parking and not during the winter months. Black Hill car park which is close by still on the B2188, offers year-round parking.
For the benefit of writing this, I shall start at the junction of Rannoch Road with Melfort Road, and head towards Wood Reeves. From the afore mentioned junction, proceed down the tarmac covered private road that is Warren Road, cross the junction with Fielden Road, continuing down Warren Road and through what remains of Heave Gate and past Heave Gate Cottages. It doesn’t seem so long ago that Warren Road was a bumpy, pot-holed track, but I guess that it was probably longer ago than I care to recall. After a short distance on the left-hand side, you can look across the valley and see Crowborough army camp, and further into the distance, Kings Standing. After a total distance from the starting point of 0.8 miles, you will reach Home Farm to the right and the Clock House to the front. Turn left at this intersection, and head down beside the Clock House, on to what is now an unmade track. Please note that this section of track can become quite muddy during the winter months, but the mud is only very shallow and doesn’t present a problem. Also be aware that there is an equestrian centre at this section, so please be respectful and keep speed down.
As you head down this track, the fields on either side are replaced by woodland with the Northern safety route of the army camp to the left. The valley on this side is historically known as Brown Knowl (Brown Knoll) and the stream at this point has some of the best waterfalls on all of Ashdown Forest but sadly, being on army land, public admittance is not permitted.
A further point of note here is that when using this bridleway at night time, badgers are often on the track, and care has to be taken to avoid them. When you reach the valley bottom, the bridleway continues around to the left, with the right hand turn leading towards the mill ponds. Following the bridleway, you will cross two bridges, one smaller than the other, but both forming the two traditional sizes used, which a fact that not many people will be aware of. Several years ago, the smaller of the bridges was in a state of disrepair and a campaign by two local residents was started in order to raise funds for its repair. One was Sylvia Seymour and the other Barbara Winters – although I will need to check the second name. I can only assume that the campaign was a success, as the bridge is in a good state of repair, whilst the larger second bridge is now in need of repair. The smaller bridge is also historically unique and again, when I have the details, I shall add them.
The smaller bridge crosses Brown Knowl (Brown Knoll) stream and the larger crosses the stream from the first mill pond, known locally as Paye’s Pond. Both streams eventually run into the River Medway, passing through Buckhurst on the way. On the right of the larger bridge during the Spring time, wild garlic (also known as ramsoms) can be found and the area also has stunning displays of bluebells.
Just beyond the bridge on the left, Old Mill can be seen, and also Old Mill Farm. There used to be access through the property at this point, which lead to Paye’s pond and beyond. Sadly, the current owners have
seen fit to block this access. As a child, we frequently used the cut-through as short cut up through the army camp. I have many fond memories of watching the soldiers on the parade ground.
Getting back to the route, beyond the second bridge the climb up to Black Hill begins, and you are now on the Union Boundary
This section of the bridleway can often sit wet throughout the year but isn’t really particularly muddy. The next point of note is the gate way which leads through to the grounds of a property call Woodmans. Please be respectful when passing through here and don’t treat it as race track, which sadly I have seen people do.
What is now woodland to the left of Woodmans, used to be nursery, but clearly that was a very long time ago.
As the climb progresses, Kings Standing slowly comes into view on the left and this can be seen for virtually the whole length of the climb.
Another interesting historical fact about this climb and track, is that the gradient graduates between being a climb, to level off slightly, and this is repeated. There is a specific reason for this, and the reason is that each flatter section gave the horses that pulled their heavy loads, a chance to breathe and take it easy. Even on a bike, I feel it a welcome design.
When riding this bridleway from the forest towards Crowborough, great care has to be taken when descending this hill at night time, as deer can often be found to leap out across the track. It is an almost given that it will happen, so be aware of it.
The climb isn’t so far, and it isn’t long before you reach Wood Reeves and the B2188. Starting from either end, it is very easy to link a ride taking in the first bridleway listed, which was the Vanguard way one. Both directions give potential to stop off at either the Crow and Gate pub or with deviation to the Blue Anchor.
Like all of the bridleways on the forest at a mere 2.2 miles long, it isn’t exactly a long route, but it is one useable by people of all ages and ability, with Warren Road being particularly suitable to the younger rider but there is still a reasonable amount of traffic that use it, so please take care. I have also seen a disabled buggy being used on the bridleway, and see this is a very viable route.
View attachment 29774
View attachment 29775
View attachment 29776
