Nutley: Walking Between the Windmill and Ashdown Forest

Nutley combines varied walking experiences with landscapes and memorial sites that give a trip a special character. The circular Walk 8 “A Walk Amongst Friends” route passes Nutley Windmill and runs through the Millbrook Valley, while longer sections take in Ashdown Forest with its wide open views. Those planning a trip with different interests can combine active days, nature observation and historical themes here.

Walking routes for different day plans

A natural starting point is Walk 8 “A Walk Amongst Friends”. The circular route begins at Friends Clump, passes Nutley Windmill and runs through the Millbrook Valley. As a circular route, it is suitable for planning in which the starting point is also the end of the tour. The route therefore combines several specific landscape and location references without limiting you to a simple out-and-back route.

A longer walking option is offered by Weald to Waves, with a 13.1 km section from Nutley to Forest Row. The route initially skirts the edge of Nutley and then leads onto Ashdown Forest. The ground there is mostly sandy, while wide views open up to the north and south.

The High Weald Welly Walk is 3.9 miles or 6.2 km long. Without stops, it takes approximately 2.5 hours, depending on conditions and the number of participants. The route runs mostly across Ashdown Forest and offers wide open views there. This makes it possible to compare the walking options by distance and approximate time required. Particularly when different ideas about the day’s programme come together in a group, this information helps with personal planning without assuming a particular walking pace.

Landscape and nature experiences

Ashdown Forest characterises several of the routes described. The open views differ markedly from a circular route that passes through the Millbrook Valley. Depending on the type of travel experience you want, you can therefore choose a route with a stronger focus on the landscape or one with several named points of interest. Another nature destination is the Old Lodge Nature Reserve, which can be visited free of charge. The different nature destinations can thus be considered independent parts of your trip planning.

Windmill and historic memorial sites

Nutley Windmill is considered the oldest working windmill in Sussex; parts of the mill date from the 16th century. Its inclusion in Walk 8 gives the circular route a historical connection in addition to its landscape experience. Airman's Grave also commemorates the crew of a Wellington bomber who died when it crashed in the Misbourne Valley on 31 July 1941. Every year on Remembrance Sunday, a large number of people gather there to remember those killed in the war.

The history of ironmaking is also part of the regional background: the raw materials for it were abundantly available on Ashdown Forest and in Nutley. This aspect expands the view of the landscape to include an economic-historical perspective. Those who want not only to cover routes on a trip but also to learn about the historical context of a place will therefore find several different points of connection in Nutley.

A suitable base for planning your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Nutley, you can first consider which focus is most important for your trip. The circular route via Friends Clump, Nutley Windmill and the Millbrook Valley offers a different planning framework from the 13.1 km section to Forest Row or the approximately 2.5-hour High Weald Welly Walk.

Further places for planning your trip

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Nutley, you can find the pages for Northiam, Fairlight, Beckley, Newick, Rodmell, Winchelsea, Mountfield and Winchelsea Beach.

For the overarching travel overview: East Sussex.