Map

To follow ASAP

1. Starting from the Cross Keys Inn, leave the pub and turn right, proceeding along a clear and broad bridleway.

2. Continue straight on this bridleway passing Dean Farm (early 18th century with walls of knapped flint) and Rutherfords Stud (modern red brick, well set back) on your right, ignoring forks to the left and right, until the track becomes grassy, goes down a hill, underneath some pylon wires and arrives at a valley (Shaw Bottom). Shaw used to be a distinct settlement in the Middle Ages but by the late 18th century, only a farmstead called Shaw Farm remained.

3. At the bottom of the hill, pass through gates as necessary and again continue straight ahead, keeping the copse on your immediate right. At the top of the copse, proceed straight across the strip of field, through the metalled gate, and through the wood for approx 1/4 mile until you come to an obvious cross roads of tracks. This is approx 1 1/4 miles from your original start.

4. At the cross roads, turn left and continue along Water Lane and Waterlane Bottom for 3/4 a mile until you meet a clear 'T' junction with Cowcommon Bottom, a track of similar width to Waterlane Bottom.

5. Continue straight (again!) for another 3/4 mile until you come to another 'T' junction, with a broad grassy 'drive' on your right. On the left is a large Yew tree, known as King John's Yew where, in the 12th century, King John is reputed to have had a hunting lodge.

6. Turn left, on the still wide track, for 75 yards and then turn right onto a much narrower, but still clear, track through the Coldridge Wood.

7. In just under 1/2 mile, you will come to another 'T' junction where, in the late 1700s, a group of five or six cottages stood. Now, there's just a single picturesque cottage (Honey Bottom Cottage) in front of you. Turn left in front of the cottage, and then right up the hill towards the farm buildings (Crystal Palace Farm).

8. Turn left at the top, and you quickly return to your starting point, the Cross Keys Inn, for some well deserved refreshment.