Ardingly Reservoir - Wakehurst Place - Ardingly

Alison and Clive Gilbert

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This walk was originally compiled by Alan and Janet Love, sadly both are no longer with us. Alison Gilbert has kindly offered to take them over. Alison and Walkingworld would like all these excellent walks to remain as a continuing tribute to Alan and Janet.

Ardingly, pronounced 'Arding-lye', straddles the B2028 road running north / south from Lindfield to Turner's Hill and is home to the famous co-educational independent Ardingly College, a beautiful building we pass on the way to the reservoir. Our walk starts from the reservoir, which lies just outside the village and has ample public parking. We go through lovely West Sussex countryside, passing Balcombe Mill and lake to enter the grounds of Wakehurst Place (but not a visit unless this is paid for separately or by using a National Trust card, see Waymarks 17 and 18). We walk through the enclosed path of Havelock Farm and its deer herd before continuing out to the road through the drive at Wakehurst Place. Our return is equally enjoyable, passing through a superb wooded valley, woods and countryside, to arrive at Ardingly Village and finally the reservoir.

You can link this walk to walk ID 3655.

England - South England - West Sussex - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Great Views, Lake/Loch, National Trust, Public Transport, Restaurant, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

5/26/2022 - Marilyn Abrahamson

Totally agree with the comments of Graham on 8 April 2021 ..... fabulous walk and certainly one of our top ten from Walkingworld. Only hiccup on the day we did the walk (26 May 2022) was that the path from point 6 to 8 was temporarily closed for repair. Some of us still breathing from a previous generation still like to walk, ride and drive by the mile. Although we can grasp the metre (a smidge over a yard), 1.75km is a little more difficult to judge!! (a smidge over a mile). So if metric units are preferred by the compiler, would they be kind enough to also include imperial measurements for us wrinklies? Ta muchly ?? Doug & Mal

4/8/2021 - Graham Hooker

Walked this route Easter 2021. Absolutely superb in every way. I would rate it amongst the top 10 in the Walkingworld library. It has been very dry of late and the mud was still a problem in parts around the reservoir. We missed the turn off at point 23 and decided to carry on into Ardingly - so we will have to repeat the walk again soon! No hardship. Found a lovely artisan bakery in Ardingly for tea and wonderful pear and almond tart.

4/10/2019 - Helen Stern

My daughter and I did this walk today in mostly brilliant sunshine. It was a good varied walk as partly by the water but with climbs, woodland + fields. The bluebells were out and it was beautiful walking through the woods. We got a little lost at number 12 and found the instructions at rhat point confusing, but thanks to the GPS matk on the map could get ourselves back on track. Beware that bit. Now feeling pleasantly tired as it’s a good distance and quite strenuous at times. Would thoroughly recommend it. Love this app btw!

7/22/2013 - Jill Stacey

We have just returned from doing this walk on a lovely if very hot day. We started from Wakehurst Place and enjoyed a well-earned ice cream there on our return. The scenery was varied and lovely and the directions clear. All in all a wonderful walk.

7/21/2013 - Alan Sturges

Superb walk. Walked from Wakehurst Place, National Trust. A little gem to do again.

4/29/2011 - Andy McTaggart

This walk is an absolute stunner which ticks all the boxes, with something for everyone. There are some stunning Blue Bell displays along the way in Late April and Early May. At Waymark 9 you may also pop into Balcombe village for a bite to eat and a pint at the very friendly and welcoming Half Moon Pub. Thereafter it is very simple to rejoin the walk and to enjoy some splendid vistas, woodland, downland and Red Deer along the way, plus an added bonus of exploring the Millennium Seed Bank. The final leg of the walk offers some stunning views of The Reservoir. A Big Thank You & Well Done to Alan Love Andy McTaggart

12/28/2008 - Barry Rossiter

Excellent instructions - muddy in places, but no problem with good boots. Just under four hours. Well worth doing!

4/9/2007 - Stephen Harris

Yet another classic from Alan & Janet Love. Thoroughly enjoyable walk with great variety and some interesting features along the way. The ground is now firm again (April 2007) and we had no problems with any mud at all. Views are great, distance is about right and the reservoir is very beautiful (especially when viewed towaards the end of the walk). The wooded Ghyll sections were most satisfying. Well done, and a full 10 out of 10.

8/29/2005 - Ian Fairnie

Lovely walk with varied scenery from open views to heavy woodland. Nothing strenuous at all. The directions are all spot on - even the warning about the muddy stretches although it's nothing that a decent pair of walking shoes can't cope with. Walk done 25/08/05 - tons of blackberries everywhere. IanF

8/8/2005 - Ian Runcie

Take note of the closing times at Ardingly reservoir car park. Tarry too long in an Ardingly pub and your car could be shut up for the night.