How to get from Park Farm Caravan & Campsite to the Salehurst Halt.
We get a lot of customers who are staying at Park Farm Campsite, near Bodiam, over the summer months, and quite a few come and visit us each time they are on holiday here. There are others, though, who say they hadn’t realised there was such a lovely walk through the Sussex countryside from the campsite over to us here at the Halt.
For those of you staying at the campsite who are unaware of how to reach us by foot, here is a description of the (roughly) 2.5 km walk.
Starting from the top of the site, named on Park Farm Campsite website map as Oak, head right to the top where the trees are.
Slightly to the left as you are facing uphill, you will see a farm track, a large gap in the trees, with a tractor path leading straight ahead into another, agricultural field. Head through here and immediately turn left into the woodlands.
Follow the wooded path as it curves around to the right and you will come across a little glade where you will see a wooden footbridge crossing a deep stream – if you’re here in a dry summer, the stream may not be flowing, but in winter or wetter seasons, it’s a lovely sight as it meanders through the gully.
Cross the footbridge and follow the path up a slight incline, with the canopy shading you from any bright sunlight – or rain… It’s pretty obvious where to go until you reach a slight fork, where it bears right further up the hill in the woods, or left – take the left, where the path remains more pronounced.
You’ll soon reach your first stile which you need to climb to remain on the path; out of the woods and through a beautiful field. Keep to the bottom of this field, and should there be any livestock please do keep any dogs under control and on a lead.
At the other end of the field is your second stile, and then you are into the gorgeous apple orchards. In spring, laden with sweet scented blossom, in summer with beautiful English apples. The path is a little better sign posted through here, and we do urge you to respect the farmer’s wishes and stick to the official route.
You will head straight across the orchards, easterly, and at the bottom of the first field there is a slight turn to your right, then to your left, to enter the second field full of apple trees. The views from these two fields are spectacular – looking back up the hill to Staplecross, across the valley to the densely wooded area (there are walks through these as well), to the East towards Robertsbridge.
Once the apple trees end you need to turn left down the hill, in the same field, and you will see a little opening into a short wooded section of your route. Go through here to stile number three – you can see the farm cottages through the gate, and this field almost always has horses or other livestock so, once again, we urge you to ensure any dogs are under strict control please.
Walking straight across, you reach your final stile, and when you get get into this next field you will be able to see the tower of the Salehurst church – this is where you are heading towards, for our beautiful pub and the church are close neighbours.
Again, walk straight across this field and at the end turn left, downhill, and follow the edge of the field. At the bottom you cross a little lane, on to the next field, and upwards towards Salehurst. A slight left again at the top of the field and you’ll come across the old iron gate leading into the church yard. There are sometimes sheep in here, used to tend the grounds in an environmentally friendly way, so please respect them, and the church yard.
Follow the path around to the front of the church and voila! You will see the Salehurst Halt! You made it – and now you definitely deserve a well-earned pint of Harveys (other beverages are available).
If you are after some of our scrumptious food we will do out best to accommodate you, but we do recommend booking in advance if at all possible. In the summer, on Friday evenings, we have homemade pizzas cooked in our outside woodfired oven; on Sundays we do a perfect roast. Food is served lunchtimes and evenings Tuesday through to Sunday, with the pub being closed on Mondays (unless it’s a bank holiday – then we are open).
We very much look forward to welcoming you in to see us; we are family friendly and dog friendly – do please let us know if you found us by reading this blog, and if you have any suggestions on how we could make it even easier for you to find us.