Red House Common is named after the house near the car park. It is probably the most used common, loved by dog walkers and those who enjoy the open space of a common with views. This is the highest of the commons at Chailey, at 75 metres above sea level, and has fine views to the north and east towards the North Downs and the Ashdown Ridge. It consists of lowland heath set on a sandstone ridge, with a varied flora and fauna, and is both a local nature reserve and a SSSI.

There is archaeological interest here too having patterns of ridges across the common. Aerial photographs show them to be running generally from South West to North East, away from the cottages on the A272, and past the windmill. The scraped area, on the north easterly slope has revealed them similarly aligned. Various theories exist as to their origins, perhaps by cattle passing over many years, always seeking a drier path, or part of an ancient Field System?

As with all the commons, East Sussex County Council Rangers and contractors carry out planned works throughout the year including scrub clearance and bracken control. These works are approved by Natural England as part of the Higher Level Stewardship agreement.

Care should be taken when walking the commons and dogs should be under close control, especially near where native cattle, sheep and ponies graze. Care is also important to prevent fire as the risk is high in dry weather. In case of problems, contact should be made on 999 or calling Jo Heading, Senior Ranger, Rights of Way and Countryside Maintenance, ESCC. Tel: 01273 482736 Email: jo.heading@eastsussex.gov.uk

For less urgent matters email: countryside.management@eastsussex.gov.uk

RED HOUSE COMMON

Chailey Common Walks ~ 2

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ROMANY RIDGE COMMON

POUND COMMON

MEMORIAL COMMON

RED HOUSE COMMON

LANE END COMMON

GODLEYS GREEN

A272

A275

A275

A272Newick

Haywards Heath

Wivelsfield and BurgessHill

Plumpton

Lewes

Sheffield Park & East Grinstead

KeyCar parksRoadsCommons

Fletching

Meridian StoneBanks Road

Warrs Hill

Philip Ridley Memorial Pond

Chailey Windmill

Chailey Heritage

Plum Tree Crossroads

St Mary's Church

GarthChristian Memorial StoneBeggars Wood RoadBeggars

Wood Pond

Compt Hill

The Chailey Commons Society was formed in 1964 to help preserve, maintain and protect the Local Nature Reserve and SSSI, as one of the largest heathland commons in the South of England. Caring, conserving and studying the heathland habitat, we have regular indoor winter meetings and outdoor summer events, with an Annual Report and regular Newsletter.

Why not join us? Annual Membership Patron£12/Adult £7/ Junior 50p

For further information: www.chaileycommons.org.uk email: members@chaileycommons.org.uk or telephone 01444 831098

Refreshments are available near by at: Forget Me Not Tea Room – 01825 722999Five Bells Public House – 01825 722259Horns Lodge Public House - 01273 400422

CHAILEYCOMMONS

SOCIETY

The walk – 2.7km/1.7ml approx

Start the walk from the car park, leaving at the far end to the road①. Here you will see the information board and the local byelaws. Turning to your right, follow the open area for a short while and then bear left and take the path down the slope ②, you will reach a path along the northern side of the common heading west. This path takes you along the valley, over three small footbridges, until you reach the pond ➂.

This is the ‘Philip & Foye Ridley Memorial Pond’ named for a gentleman and his wife who were associated with the Commons Society for many years.

With the pond behind you, join the footpath where it enters the common through the trees and follow this up the hill, keeping to the right. The path soon rises steeply and then corners to the right ➃ running along the boundary with open fields over the fence. Follow until it reaches the farm gate ➄.Turn left, on the track through the trees and bushes and left again at the asphfalt path.You soon reach the area known as St Georges ➅, formerly the Heritage childrens’ residence and now apartments (‘The Old Heritage’on the map). Keep to the south, enjoying the view of the main building and the Windmill from the SW corner.

On reaching the driveway you can see a yew tree, said to be in the centre of Sussex. Close by is the Smock Mill, moved here in 1864 and used for grinding until 1911. Variously used since, in 1986 the Chailey P.C. leased it and set up the ‘Friends of Chailey Windmill’, carrying out major repairs in 1996, and it is now a Rural Life Museum. It is open on the last Sunday of each month from April to September between 3 and 5pm also on National Mills Day and other special days.

Notice the ‘Golden Apple Tree’ carved in the stone façade of the building, commemorating the subscriptions raised for the construction costs.

Follow the St Georges boundary to your left to reach a footpath waymark sign. Turn right along the ridge, you might sit a moment to enjoy the view. Keep straight on to the car park.

Common SpottedOrchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii

Cross-leaved Heath Erica tetralix

Orange Peel Fungus Aleuria aurantia

LewesFive Bells

Horns Lodge

May Cottage Tea Rooms

Kings HeadHaywards Heath

Newick

SheffieldPark

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A272

A27

5

Car Park

The Old Heritage

Chailey Mill

Warrs H

ill Lane

Pond

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