Exploring the Downs Link cycle route - Rudgwick, West Sussex. Somewhere where there's cheese!
Following the Downs Link for another 8km/5mi south-south-east from Cranleigh (see my previous post) got me over the border with West Sussex, and to the picturesque village of Rudgwick. It also got me to a nice little restaurant called the Milk Churn, which also sells 'Sussex Charmer' cheese in various size packages. Fancy a kilo? They've got it! It's a kind of cross between Cheddar and Wensleydale, if I were asked to describe it. Here goes with the pictures:
No trains here anymore...disused station at Bramley and Wonersh
Shoreham-by-Sea, on the Sussex coast, is a destination for another day. The return journey being on a different day 🙂
The Wey and Arun canal
Along the way
Baynards Station, outside Cranleigh, is disused. This shot reminds me of the cover art of 'Tumbleweed Connection', and early-Seventies album by Elton John
Lynwick Street, Rudgwick
The sign on the Downs Link....
The Milk Churn
A strange one! I neglected to take a picture of a sign saying 'permissive footpath'. I wondered what that was all about 🙂
Finally. the local cheese. It'll take me a little while to get through 500g. But I can always go again!
Looks like an absolutely fabulous day out. I spent a few years living East Sussex and didn't meet any charmers - quite the opposite in fact. Guess they save all their charm for the cheese 😂
A "permissive" footpath is one not officially registered as a right-of-way, but open by the permission of the owner; who is free to close it at any time. I think they usually do for a day or so a year to maintain the status; and can anyway if necessary, such as for farming reasons,
Baynards Station... Disused but in lovely condition. (Though I thought the Southern Railway, later British Railways Southern Region, used green and beige. Brown was the GWR colour and the two companies were usually rivals!). Is it a private house, or used by a business?
That cheese looks delicious. Something between Cheddar and Wensleydale? Ooh, it ought go well with rich fruit cake then!
@ArishMell Thanks for the tip about the 'permissive' footpath. So that's it, then? It could have been a variety of things.
Baynards Station is, I believe, in private ownership. There was a notice explaining the details but I didn't read beyond a few lines I'm afraid. Places to go! 🙂
Some of the stations on the Leeds-Settle-Carlise Railway have been reduced to unstaffed halts but the buildings preserved and are now private homes, business officers or holiday accommodation. I think at least one is owned and operated as self-catering accommodation by the Friends of the railway.
A lovely cycle. I normally do it from Southwater to Shoreham and back. I've only done the whole route once from Guildford to the coast. Your pics brought back good vibes. I had an accident on my bike 2 years ago and have struggled to get fitness back. I must get back on this trail
@Ironicman I hope you get fit and back in the saddle too! It is a lovely ride and I had a great day out. I plan a run to Shoreham sometime over the next month if I can get some good weather; maybe stay one or two nights there 🙂
