- Forest Way
Infobox Hiking trail
Name=Forest Way
Photo=Forest Way Footpath.jpg|200px
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Location=West Sussex ,England
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Length=convert|10|mi|abbr=on
Start/End Points=East Grinstead -Groombridge
Use=Hiking ,Cycling ,Horseriding
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Hazards=The Forest Way is a linear
Country park providing walking,cycling , horse riding and the quiet enjoyment of the countryside. It runs for around 16 km fromEast Grinstead toGroombridge .The Forest Way lies within the High Weald
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the heart of the picturesqueEast Sussex countryside with theAshdown Forest lying to the south. It takes the route of a disused railway line and now provides an important habitat for wildlife forming a ‘green corridor’ through the upper valley of theRiver Medway . The route runs from East Grinstead, viaForest Row ,Hartfield , andWithyham to Groombridge.Walking, cycling and accessibility
A flat, surfaced track runs along the entire length of the Forest Way providing easy access for disabled users and an ideal place for children to learn to cycle away from traffic. There are toilet facilities at Forest Row. The western end of the Forest Way links up, at East Grinstead, with the
Worth Way which extends as far asThree Bridges .There are a number of circular trails leading from the Forest Way. These vary in length and difficulty. East Sussex County Council provides leaflets giving information on "Forest Way Country Park and circular walks" and "Forest Row walk". [http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/countryside/walks/forestway/ East Sussex CC ] , Forest Way information]
Along the route trees have regenerated naturally on the embankments and cuttings providing an excellent habitat for
swallow s,badger s, deer andfox es, in the fields and woodlands.Forest Way provides access to
Weir Wood Reservoir with its plentiful bird life and sailing and toStanden country house designed byPhilip Webb which contains fine examples ofWilliam Morris designs. [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-standen/ National Trust] , National Trust information on Standen]History
In 1866, a railway line, the
Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells Central Line , opened from East Grinstead through toTunbridge Wells - an extension of the line from Three Bridges. In 1966 it was closed under theBeeching axe despite being a busy commuter line. Ironically, DrRichard Beeching lived at East Grinstead and regularly travelled up to London on the line when he was Chairman of British Rail. The disused railway line was bought by East Sussex County Council in 1971 and designated as a Country Park in 1974.Major improvements to the track surface in 2002 led to its inclusion in the
Sustrans National Cycle Network . To the west of East Grinstead, the cycle route continues as theWorth Way along the disused section of line to Three Bridges. In addition, there are as yet unrealised plans to link the Forest Way from Groombridge with theCuckoo Trail , another trail following the route of a disused railway line, which runs from Heathfield to Hampden Park nearEastbourne .References
External links
* [http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/countryside/walks/forestway/ East Sussex County Council on the Forest Way]
* [http://www.ashdownfoe.co.uk/ Ashdown Friends of the Earth]
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