Berwick to Bates Bluebell Farm
26 April. I have only once before done this walk to Bates Bluebell Farm, with another group before the COVID pandemic. I was not able to do a recce in advance as I had intended, and I had made mention of this in advance of the walk.
Berwick is not a straight forward station to reach as it is an hourly service. But for a walk to begin shortly after 10.00 am it does involve an earlier train with changes at Lewes and Polegate. All went well until five of us waited at Polegate for the quick transfer of trains. And we waited and waited and waited. At last we arrived at Berwick 30 mins late. As our train pulled out of the platform, who should we see on the other side but Tony and Mary-Jane who had missed the earlier train, caught the later train and then we all met up at the same time. Now we were seven.
Off we went through fields of sheep, along the Arlington Reservoir and on to Arlington Church. A pleasant start and so far so good. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and we were accompanied by a gentle breeze.
We made our way to the centre of Arlington village, map in hand expecting a bifurcation. Instead, what did we see was a large, clearly marked sign to the Bluebell trail. So we followed it. From memory this route seemed a little longer than I remembered And then we arrived at the car park to Abbotts Wood – I nearly fainted. We had followed the clearly marked route for cars and not the little country lane. A bit longer and we finally arrived.
The Bluebell Trail is open from the beginning of April until the end of the first week in May. The proceeds support various charities. On our Saturday, the charity to benefit was the Air Ambulance Charity for Kent Surrey and Sussex. The bluebells were late this year because of the very dry spring. We broke into two groups and made our way through Beaton Wood along paths with anemones and bluebells on either side. And then we explored some of the other trails, including the wild garlic walk. And of course, there were tea and cakes, a shop and a plant stall.
On our way back we took the narrow, pleasant country lane with lovely cottages and thousands more bluebells along the banks of the lane. And it was a more direct route. The sundial in Arlington Church yard emitted a golden glow in the late afternoon sun – terribly atmospheric.
We had missed the train and no one felt like attempting the Polegate transfer. So we adjourned for more refreshments at the Railway Inn opposite the station. When we reached Lewes, the London bound train was late but just in time for all the lovely, rarified, gentle souls of football fans to jump on board our train. I trust my companions enjoyed the day. And I hope to put the walk in the programme, may be the year after next.
Patricia, with thanks to Mary-Jane and Howard for photos.
