This 11 mile walk was full of spring time life, rolling countryside and mysterious follies. Parking outside and starting this route at the National Trust Batemans in the Sussex Weald, TN19 7DS. Batman’s is a 17th century rustic Jacobean house built in 1634, now a grade one listed building. Batman’s was the luxurious resident of Rudyard Kipling from 1902 to 1936, Know for the two Jungle books and Plain Tales from the Hills. You can visit and explore the house and gardens for £17 each adult and £8.50 for 5-17 year olds, all year round except 24th and 25th December. For me, today is for walking and I start the route taking the path on the left of Bateman’s. Just before the path you get a good view of the front of Bateman’s.
Follow the concrete path across the river Dudwell taking the public footpath on the right at the Water Mill. The historic Water Mill is part of the Bateman’s estate and was converted to generate electricity for the estate during Kipling’s time there. Restored and fully working, now milling grains. As I entered the path there was a big pond with multiple toads croaking and mating in the centre. The odd rouge toad hopping the perimeter of the pond, an absolute pleasure to witness. I stayed and watched them for awhile before following the path around the pond and onto the next footpath.
This part of the route the ground is uneven and muddy taking you along Willingford Stream with cute wooden bridges to cross. There are multiple different routes you can take from here. I followed the path straight where the ground got rather mucky and sloppy, stopping every two minutes snapping pictures of the beautiful surroundings. Not long up the path I spotted large bundles of toad spawn carefully laid under the branches of the trees. Past the toad spawn taking a left into the field then a right and follow the footpath through fields with imposing trees. There’s additional routes on the right from here, I kept on my path heading straight.
Past this point, I found the perfect spot to sit with my thoughts and have some lunch. A good old reliable Tesco meal deal. The sun was shining, the trickling sound of water nearby and the birds of prey scouring the sky, I counted five hunting together. A truly perfect beautiful spot I can see myself returning to as a writing spot. Chill time over and heading up the rather steep hill, looking back admiring the view as a reward for the climb.
Over the diving boards and along another equally mucky footpath with amazing countryside views, there’s another diving board leading you onto Willingford Lane. Cross the lane and enter the footpath directly opposite. Along this path the ground has deep tractor trails forming the path along with loose rocks and bricks. passing between bumpy fields, a beautiful Monarch butterfly distracted me from my route.
The path then branches through woodlands with seemingly random dips and craters in the ground. I stumbled upon a hutted camp with a self made swing hanging from two tree’s. Having a sneaky swing before exiting the camp passing an out of place feature of brick columns holding metal gates, I followed the path down the hill past a flowing stream.
You cross a bricked bridge and up a lane lined with drooping trees past a few scattered cottages. Take the left path at the diving board and follow the path around the field leading you to North Road. Follow North Road south taking the first path left into Woods Corner. Through the field tucked in the corner, you will see the first folly of the route, Mad Jack Fullers Sugarloaf. Reminding me of a giant withes hat, I expected a folk lore story to be connected to the building. To my disappointment, the cone shaped building was merely built to win a drunken wager in 1820. Said to have been constructed in one night at the order of John Fuller, squire of Brightling, after he bet he could see Dallington Church spire from his house. Some say the buildings shape represents the church spire, others say it was shaped like sugarloaf’s available at the time. The 15 foot wide building became a residence in the late 19th century with two floors connected by a ladder. The building was nearly destroyed before East Sussex County Council became owners and provide upkeep for the site.
Return back down the path taking a right heading north east along the perimeter of Brightling Park, which is privately owned. From the path you can view the next folly of the route atop a small hill, Mad Jack Fuller’s Rotunda Temple. The temple is believed to have been built in 1810 and is another example of John Fullers circular builds. The temple is around 25 feet tall with a hollow base to store food and wine. It is likely the temple was used to host guests, card games and parties but no one really knows what it was used for.
Past the temple you cross through farm land with an adorable stone cottage, wooden huts and cow enclosures. I spent some time talking and dancing to the cows before continuing along the footpath reaching folly number three.
Folly number three on this route and due to losing light, the last visible folly for this walk, Mad Jack Fuller’s Tower Folly. The tower is a 35 foot high, 12 feet wide circular stone tower surrounded by trees. Thought to have been build in 1820 with its original wooden staircase damaged in a fire and replaced with iron ones and access closed. As with John Fullers other follies, the true purpose is unknown with speculation it was intended as a watch point for his recently purchased Bodium Castle. The view from the tower is claimed to be vast, it’s a shame you can no longer access the view platform inside the tower.
Leave the tower via the footpath you came in, taking a right and following the route back to Bateman’s Lane. The rest of the loop back to the parking location was uneventful but peaceful. I finished the last 3 and half miles in torch light so couldn’t see any views or take clear photos..
There are five other Fullers Follies that are equally mysterious and I saw a route online that takes you past them all. I’m definitely left with more questions than answers after this interesting walk but it’s definitely one I enjoyed, learnt alot and would recommend. If you enjoyed reading my East Sussex Bateman’s 11 mile loop walk, give this post a like and consider following our socials
