The landscape

Blackdown is in West Sussex but dominates the skyline of south west Surrey; at 280m it is the highest point in Sussex, creating its own micro-climate.

From the large plateau covered in Scots pine and with fine off-road routes, there are excellent views across the well-wooded landscape of the Weald. From the east it is possible to see the sea.

The plateau was once an extensive heath created by grazing and managed as common pasture with bracken cut for bedding and fuel collected from the woodland fringe, which contains some old wood pasture.

The area surrounding Blackdown is made up of mixed woodland, farmland, streams, lakes and valleys.

Tennyson’s Lane

Named after Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809 - 1892) who became Poet Laureate in 1850 after the death of William Wordsworth.

He lived at Aldworth House at the top of Tennyson’s Lane, built for Tennyson to the designs of his friend J. T. Knowles as a summer retreat from the Isle of Wight.

Some of the elaborate exterior stonework and interior woodwork reflects Tennyson's description of Arthur's Camelot in Idylls of the King.

Roundhurst Organic Beef Farm (full route)

The farm produces quality organic Sussex beef from pedigree Sussex cattle grazed on organic pasture. Calves are left with their mothers long enough to wean naturally.

Sussex cattle have evolved over hundreds of years from the red cattle that inhabited the forests of the Weald at the time of the Norman Conquest. They produce high quality beef with fine texture and outstanding flavour.

Customers are welcome to visit to see the handsome mahogany coloured cattle. Call to arrange a visit.

Lurgashall Winery (full route)

Produces country wines, meads and liqueurs made from real fruits, flowers, vegetables and honey containing no flavourings or artificial additives.

The Winery is a complex of converted 17th and 18th Century award winning farm buildings. The rustic nature of the buildings compliment the country style products of the Winery.

It attracts some 35,000 visitors annually through the shop and offers a variety of tours and tastings. Clubs, associations and groups can also visit the herb garden next to the shop that has some 55 medieval herbs on display.