Walk from Standen through Rockinghill, Jenkins Shaw and Hollybush Woods
This moderate walk takes in the Standen estate and wider Sussex countryside, passing through tracts of ancient woodland that are carefully managed by National Trust volunteers to aid and increase biodiversity. The route takes you to several points of interest, including a site used by the Roman for smelting iron.
Near to
Standen House and GardenStart point
Standen car park, grid ref: TQ391356Trail information
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Standen car park, grid ref: TQ391356
Stage 1
Walk out of Standen through the entrance gate and turn right, at the Rockinghill Wood sign, approximately 15 yards from the gate. Go through the gate into the field and continue straight ahead down the hill, then left on a well-trodden path.
Stage 2
Leave the field via a wooden kissing gate and go straight ahead into Rockinghill Wood.
Stage 3
Go straight ahead to the boardwalk and walk along it. There is an old storage pond to your right.
Stage 4
At the end of the boardwalk, at a memorial seat, you may either turn downhill to the right, to a junction of paths after about 125 yards, or venture further straight ahead (adding about a quarter of a mile to the total length of the walk). If you go straight ahead you will enter an area which feels more remote, but the path is clear ahead. It turns right at another memorial seat, and then right again, at the corner of a large pond. You then follow the winding path through the wood to join the short route mentioned above.
Stage 5
At the three-way fingerpost near marker (H) turn left by the fingerpost (go straight ahead if you have come down the shorter route).
Stage 6
The path winds by a boardwalk into a gully. After a short while, take the path to the right down steep steps and over two bridges. You will catch sight of Standen Farm across the field. Cross a plank bridge and bear right to continue to follow the clear path. You will see a vineyard in a field to your right, before you cross one more bridge and come to a T-junction of paths by a pond.
Stage 7
Turn right and after 20 yards go through a metal kissing gate into the field.
End point
Standen car park, grid ref: TQ391356
Trail map
Oak leaves in September in Florence Court garden, Co Fermanagh | © National Trust Images / John Millar
More near here
Standen to Selsfield Common walk
An 8.5-mile walk for more experienced walkers, from Standen to Selsfield Common and back, that takes in woodland, heathland and open-country paths.
Walk from Standen to Kingscote Bluebell Railway
Walk to and from Kingscote Station and Bluebell Railway, where connecting steam trains can be taken to Sheffield Park or into the historic town of East Grinstead.
Bluebell walk at Standen
A 3-mile walking route around the Standen Estate and Rockinghill Wood that can be done at any time of year but is especially glorious in April and early May when the bluebells are flowering.
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