Mid Sussex Times June 15 1978

Leaving Cuckfield’s churchyard through the south gate, this third walk in our series heads towards Ansty through fields, beside a stream and along sheltered tracks. The original leaflet puts the circuit at about three miles: a pleasant opportunity to slow down and notice the countryside close to home.

The churchyard makes a fitting starting point. Pause among the weathered stones and listen: birdsong, the breeze in the branches and perhaps the church clock marking the hour. Beyond Newbury Lane, the route leads towards Court House Farm before descending across grassland to a footbridge.

Here, the atmosphere changes. After rain, the stream may chatter beneath the bridge, while the air carries the earthy scent of damp soil and wet vegetation. Stop for a moment and look along the banks; small movements among the leaves can reveal birds that hurried footsteps would otherwise miss.

Climbing towards Mackrell’s Farm, the walk opens out again. Field edges and hedgerows offer something different in every season: fresh growth and blossom in spring, insects hovering over summer flowers, and berries and turning leaves in autumn. You may hear a robin’s sharp call, the chatter of passing tits or a woodpigeon calling from a nearby tree.

Further on, the track rises between banks, giving a more enclosed, sheltered feel. There is pleasure in these changes of scale: open sky followed by a narrow green corridor, sunlight giving way to shade. Depending on the season, the air may smell of warm grass, fallen leaves or freshly worked farmland.

The pond marked on the old plan offers another reason to pause before the route continues towards Harvest Hill and Ansty. The return crosses fields towards Mackrell’s Farm, with the church coming into view ahead—a familiar landmark drawing the walk back to its beginning.

This is a walk to enjoy with ears and eyes open: modest in distance, but full of small discoveries.

The accompanying leaflet is an older guide. Check the route against a current footpath map and follow present-day signs; gates, stiles and landmarks may have changed.