With so many bank holidays, this is a great time of year to visit the High Weald for a long weekend or short break with the family!

Did you know that half of all the world's bluebell woods are found in the UK?

The High Weald is famous for its wonderful woodlands and, during late spring, many of them are full of the astounding colour and perfume of bluebells.

If you come to stay in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in September, you’ll be following in the historic footsteps of all the East Enders who once flocked to the area at this time of year for their annual holiday – in their case, a working holiday!

Of all the trees that grow so fair,
Old England to adorn,
Greater are none beneath the Sun,
Than Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs,
(All of a Midsummer morn!)
Surely we sing no little thing,
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!

Oh, do not tell the Priest our plight,
Or he would call it a sin;
But - we have been out in the woods all night,
A-conjuring Summer in!
And we bring you news by word of mouth-
Good news for cattle and corn-
Now is the Sun come up from the South,
With Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!

From A Tree Song by Rudyard Kipling

Look at a map of National Trust properties and you’ll see a big cluster in the High Weald. Most of these properties have gardens and in several, the garden is the main attraction.   

National Trust owned ‘Gardening Meccas’ of the High Weald include Wakehurst Place (‘Kew in The Country’) Sheffield Park Garden (known for stunning autumn colours) Nymans (both a horticulturalist's dream and peaceful country garden) Scotney Castle (one of England’s most romantic gardens) and internationally renowned Sissinghurst Castle Garden, created by Vita Sackville-West.

Armed with my trusty OS Explorer Map (136 – ‘The Weald’) I arrive at Frant Railway Station in bright sunshine. I plan to do about 10 miles today. It’s early May, so there should be lots of woodland wildflowers. It’s going to be a great walk!