25 April: DR GEOFFREY MEAD’S WALKS IN THE SUSSEX LANDSCAPE: SETTLEMENTS IN THE LANDSCAPE
Saturday, 25th April 2020, 10.30 approximately 2 hours, depending upon pace
£10.00 + booking fee per person
Join landscape lecturer Dr Geoffrey Mead for a fascinating walk in the Sussex countryside. Geoffrey is passionate about the Sussex landscape with a fantastic local knowledge of its geography and evolution over millions of years.
Sturdy footwear and suitable clothing required, flat terrain but there may be a stile to cross and muddy gateways.
Meeting in the Pevensey Castle car park for a walk across the levels with discussion about settlements and the changing sea levels past and future. Pevensey Levels have been subject to a range of landscape changes over the millennia; reclamation, inundation by the sea, drainage and settlement. Evidence is all around in the landscape ready for us to decipher!
30 April: BEDGEBURY PINETUM
Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst, Kent TN17 2SJ
Thursday, 30th April at 2pm
£8 per person - plus £10 per car payable on the day
Private Tour - Approx 2hrs, 30 people max
“Rare is the person who does not like trees – trees lift the heart and soothe the soul”
A walk around Bedgebury is like going on a trip around the world. This awe inspiring Grade 2 listed botanic landscape is home to one of the world’s most diverse conifer collections in addition to other broadleaf species such as the beautiful Cherry trees, Magnolias and Rhododendrons which we hope to see in blossom during our tour. Behind the scenes, the Pinetum offers scientists the opportunity to conduct internationally important conservation work at a time when over 400 conifer species are under threat. Our guide will discuss these conservation programmes including the global seed initiative during our gentle walk through such areas as Cathedral Avenue, Reflection Lake, Lady Mildred’s Carriage Ride and the Redwood and Cherry Tree Avenues.
If you arrive early, or at the end of the tour, you can picnic by the Lake or buy refreshments in the café. Please wear suitable footwear.
To book please download and print the word document below, complete and return to us as per the instructions on the form.
5 June: KINGSTANDING POLICE TRAINING CENTRE
Duddleswell, Maresfield, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 3JB
Friday 5th June at 5pm - Approx 2 hrs
£6 per person Private Tour, 15 people max
“A town centre used for public order training.”
Situated on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, this historical SSSI site is now used as a Police Training Centre. However it was once the location of the world’s biggest and most powerful transmitter housed in an interesting art deco building. The transmitter, named Aspidistra, was approved by Sir Winston Churchill during the Second World War. More recently at the height of the Cold War, a nuclear Bunker was constructed which can still be visited and the BBC World Service was broadcast from here. Bringing the site up to date the Police now carry out driver, taser and firearms training alongside dog handling and riot control. There is also a solar farm on site.
Our guide will use his expertise to give an illuminating guide of this most unusual and eclectic place.
Before the tour you may wish to walk on the forest, enjoy the Ashdown Visitors Centre or Duddleswell tea rooms.
Please note that ID will need to be shown on the day – eg. driving licence, passport or library card.
To book please download and print the word document below, complete and return to us as per the instructions on the form.
19 June: MALTHOUSE FARMHOUSE
Street Lane, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 8SA
Friday 19th June at 2pm
£15 per person Private tour, tea and cake
“Magical, hidden and inspiring, filled with subtle surprises.”
As a result of inclement weather causing the cancellation of this tour last year, I have rescheduled a visit for 2020 in what will hopefully be sunny weather! Covering 5 acres, with a stunning backdrop provided by the South Downs, these plant- packed gardens are divided into a series of rooms with their own distinctive theme. An orchard leads to an expansive field sculpture of trees and grasses.
Over the years the garden has featured in several publications including Country Life Magazine, Sussex Life and Architectural Digest.
To book please download and print the word document below, complete and return to us as per the instructions on the form.
27 June: DR GEOFFREY MEAD’S WALKS IN THE SUSSEX LANDSCAPE: AN ADUR AMBLE
Saturday, 27th June, 2pm following our AGM at the Shoreham Centre
£5.00 per person, booking will open in May
Join landscape lecturer Dr Geoffrey Mead for a fascinating walk in the Sussex countryside. Geoffrey is passionate about the Sussex landscape with a fantastic local knowledge of its geography and evolution over millions of years.
Geoffrey will be leading an ‘Adur Amble. Shoreham has new developments a-plenty but we escape along the new flood defence works east and west for a relaxed walk and discussion, taking in changes to the landscape.
6 July: FIRLE PLACE
Firle, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6LP
Monday July 6th at 10.30am
£13.50 per person Private House Tour - approx 1hr 30
Coffee and Biscuits, 30 people max
“A fine Country House in the South Downs National Park.”
For over 500 years, Firle Place has been in the ownership of the Gage family. Quintessentially, it is a private family home so unlike many stately homes this Georgian house will feel quite intimate. Firle owns one of the most valuable art collections in southern England and artworks on display include notable paintings by Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds. Chippendale furniture, tapestries and Sevres porcelain form other noteworthy pieces. There is a small garden with a parterre and Victorian fountain. Coffee and biscuits will be served on arrival. Lunch can be purchased in the tearooms at the end of the visit. Alternatively, Firle village has a pub and Middle Farm café is nearby.
To book please download and print the word document below, complete and return to us as per the instructions on the form.
5 Sept: DR GEOFFREY MEAD’S WALKS IN THE SUSSEX LANDSCAPE : DOWNSLINK OLD RAILWAY TRACK & ADUR RIVERBANK
Saturday, 5th September, 10.30, approximately 2 hours, depending upon pace
£10.00 + booking fee per person
Join landscape lecturer Dr Geoffrey Mead for a fascinating walk in the Sussex countryside. Geoffrey is passionate about the Sussex landscape with a fantastic local knowledge of its geography and evolution over millions of years.
Sturdy footwear and suitable clothing required, flat terrain but there may be stiles to cross. Meeting in the public car park near the Cat & Canary pub, Henfield. An amble along the old railway track and along the river with discussion about rising sea levels and floodplains. Henfield is a settlement above the Adur floodplain on rich Greensand soil with an extensive series of water meadows and islands to its west. Across the river is the only farm in Sussex named in the Domesday Book- explore history in the landscape.
