THE VANGUARD WAY From the suburbs to the sea! AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ROUTE COLIN SAUNDERS Sixth Edition 2020 THE VANGUARD WAY From the suburbs to the sea! AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ROUTE COLIN SAUNDERS Sixth Edition 2020 This 6th edition was first published in 2020 and replaces previous printed editions published in 1980, 1986 and 1997, also the online 4th and 5th editions published in 2009 and 2014. It is now only available as an online resource. Designed by Brian Bellwood Published by the Vanguards Rambling Club 35 Gerrards Close, Oakwood, London, N14 4RH, England © VANGUARDS RAMBLING CLUB 1980, 1986, 1997, 2009, 2014, 2020 Colin Saunders asserts his right to be identified as the author of this work. Whilst the information contained in this guide was believed to be correct at the time of writing, the author and publishers accept no responsibility for the consequences of any inaccuracies. However, we shall be pleased to receive your comments and information of alterations for consideration. Please email [email protected] or write to Colin Saunders, 35 Gerrards Close, Oakwood, London, N14 4RH, England. The Vanguard Way – An Introduction To The Route CONTENTS Route distance table …………………………………. 4 How to use the Vanguard Way Route Description ….. 5 Practical advice: ● Walking the Vanguard Way …………………….. 6 ● Clothing …………………………………………. 7 ● Maps and other equipment ……………………… 7 ● Signs and waymarking …………………………... 8 ● Safety ……………………………………………. 9 ● Countryside Code ……………………………….. 9 ● Travelling to and from the Vanguard Way ……… 10 General description of the area and terrain ………….. 11 History of the area …………………………………… 11 Flora and fauna of the area ………………………….. 13 Completed the route? ………………………………... 13 The Vanguard Way badge …………………………... 13 Social media ………………………………………… 13 Contact us …………………………………………… 13 Acknowledgements …………………………………. 13 Vanguard Way Association …………………………. 16 Books by the same author …………………………… 16 Please note that, in this introduction and in the online route descriptions, the abbreviation VGW is used for Vanguard Way. For a detailed history of how the Vanguard Way came about, please refer to the ‘How it all began’ section on our website. If the coronavirus or any other epidemic continues or recurs, you should follow government advice on accessing the countryside or g reen spaces safely. 3 6th Edition (2020) VANGUARD WAY ROUTE DISTANCE TABLE DISTANCES IN MILES Th Croydon 6¾ 11¾ 13½ 20½ 24¾ 28 31 35 42 47¾ 53¾ 56¾ 58 60¼ 64 66 e Chelsham V 5 11.0 Common 6¾ 13¾ 18 21 24¼ 28¼ 35 41 47 50 51¼ 53½ 57¼ 59¼ a n 19.0 8.0 Titsey 1¾ 8¾ 13 16¼ 19¼ 23¼ 30 36 42 45 46¼ 48½ 52¼ 54¼ g u 22.0 11.0 3.0 Moorhouse 5 11¼ 14¼ 17½ 21½ 28¼ 35 40 43¼ 44½ 46½ 50¼ 52½ a rd Crouch 30.0 19.0 11.0 8.0 Hse. Grn 6¼ 9¼ 12½ 16½ 23¼ 29 35¼ 38¼ 39½ 41½ 45½ 47½ W Hammer- ay – 40.0 29.0 21.0 18.0 10.0 3 6¼ 10¼ 17 23 28¾ 32 33¼ 35½ 39 41¼ wood Forest 3 45.0 34.0 26.0 23.0 15.0 5.0 Row 7¼ 14 19¾ 25¾ 28¾ 30 32¼ 36 38¼ An 50.0 39.0 31.0 28.0 20.0 10.0 5.0 Newbridge 4 10¾ 16¾ 22¾ 25¾ 27 29¼ 33 35 I 4 56.5 45.5 37.5 34.5 26.5 16.5 11.5 6.5 Poundgate 6¾ 12¾ 18¾ 21¾ 23 25¼ 28¾ 31 ntrodu 67.5 56.5 48.5 45.5 37.5 27.5 22.0 17.5 11.0 Blackboys 6 11¾ 15 16¼ 18¼ 21¾ 24¼ 77.0 66.0 58.0 55.0 47.0 37.0 32.0 27.0 20.5 9.5 Chiddingly 6 9 10¼ 12½ 16¼ 18¼ c tion Berwick 3 86.5 75.5 67.5 64.5 56.5 46.5 41.5 36.5 30.0 19.0 9.5 Station 4¼ 6½ 10¼ 12½ 91.5 80.5 72.5 69.5 61.5 51.5 46.5 41.5 35.0 24.0 14.5 5.0 Alfriston 1¼ 3½ 7¼ 9¼ To 93.5 82.5 74.5 71.5 63.5 53.5 48.5 43.5 37.0 26.0 16.5 7.0 2.0 Litlington 2¼ 6 8 Th Exceat e 97.0 86.0 78.0 75.0 67.0 57.0 52.0 47.0 40.5 27.5 20.0 10.5 5.5 3.5 3¾ 6 Bridge R 103.0 92.0 84.0 81.0 73.0 63.0 58.0 53.0 46.5 35.5 26.0 16.5 11.5 9.5 6.0 Seaford 2¼ o u t 106.5 95.5 87.5 84.5 76.5 66.5 61.5 56.5 50.0 39.0 29.5 20.0 15.0 13.0 9.5 3.5 Newhaven e 6 th DISTANCES IN KILOMETRES E d iti Based on the original drawing by Colin Hills on ( 20 2 0 ) The Vanguard Way – An Introduction To The Route HOW TO USE THE VANGUARD WAY ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS Free route descriptions to the Vanguard Way are available in 10 separate sections from our website www.vanguardway.org.uk. They start and finish at places that are mostly convenient for public transport, and are as follows: From To km miles Links with public transport at: 1 (K) East Croydon Chelsham Common 11.0 6.8 Selsdon, Warlingham 2 (J) Chelsham Common Limpsfield Chart 12.7 7.9 Woldingham, Oxted 3 (H) Limpsfield Chart Edenbridge 6.3 4.0 Moorhouse 4 (G) Edenbridge Forest Row 15.5 9.7 Dormansland, East Grinstead 5 (F) Forest Row Poundgate 11.3 7.0 Colemans Hatch, Crowborough 6 (E) Poundgate Blackboys 11.0 6.8 Buxted 7 (D) Blackboys Golden Cross 12.2 7.6 East Hoathly 8 (C) Golden Cross Berwick Station 6.7 4.2 9 (B) Berwick Station Exceat Bridge 10.5 6.5 Alfriston, Exceat 10 (A) Exceat Bridge Newhaven 9.7 6.0 Seaford, Bishopstone A route description is also available from our website in the opposite direction, south to north, whose sections use letters instead of numbers, as shown above. You can of course combine sections to make a longer day’s walk, or indeed break them up as you see fit, using the other transport links shown above. With the help of a taxi or car you can be set down or picked up at any convenient point within each section. Distances to intermediate points are given in the route description for each section. Before starting out on a section: · You may find it helpful to read the Overview, which gives a general description of the area you will be walking through. · Refer to the Latest News section on our website, which provides updates about the route and any diversions that may be necessary. Details of accommodation, refreshments, public transport (including taxis) and other useful information are contained in the separate Vanguard Way Companion, also available free on the Vanguard Way website www.vanguardway.org.uk. Each section is laid out as follows: - An overview of the section - How to use the route description - Public transport links - Abbreviations used in the text - Distances between key locations - Other useful information - The route description - Commentary on points of interest The route description indicates points where public transport, accommodation, refreshments, toilets and phone boxes* are located on or near the route. * Although most people have a mobile phone, in some rural areas reception is poor (or your battery may run out), so in the route description shows where in rural areas you can find public telephone boxes, most of which are clearly marked on OS Explorer maps, though they are gradually being removed. Most pubs also have a public payphone. The route description itself is shown in black Roman (upright) type. Any variations from the usual route, or advice or information, are shown in italics. Also links with public transport off route are shown in italics within a shaded box. 5 6th Edition (2020) The Vanguard Way – An Introduction To The Route Points of interest along the route are shown in underlined bold italics - this indicates that more information about it appears in the commentary, which follows the route description. Clickable hyperlinks to other relevant websites and email contacts are shown in underlined blue text. With two or more people walking together, we suggest that you separate the commentary pages, then one person can follow the route description while another reads out the commentary. The route description tells you which local authority covers the area you are in. This is partly for interest but also so that you can if necessary report any urgent problems along the route, such as obstructions or broken stiles (see below). You are strongly advised to take the relevant maps with you (see below). Please follow the Countryside Code at all times (see page 8). PRACTICAL ADVICE WALKING THE VANGUARD WAY Most of the route is easy walking. Lying in the lowlands of southeast England, there are no really strenuous climbs to tackle - at least not for long! But be prepared for some short, very steep ascents and descents. Nearly all of the route is on public rights of way, public highways or areas with open public access, but there is one short stretch on a permissive path, which can in theory be closed with no notice - an alternative route is provided in the unlikely event that this should happen. Much of the route is on an uneven surface, so you will need stout shoes, trainers or boots.