Visit Us
Gravetye Estate is a hidden Sussex gem
637 acres of woodland, farmland and waterways in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Charity encourages free public access through well marked woodland trails for all the family.
Our woodland vistas and lakeside views are a treat all year round. All that we ask is that you keep dogs under close control as we aim to improve Sussex biodiversity. We aim to restore natural habitats through our wildlife projects and volunteering sessions with school children and community groups.
If you have enjoyed your visit, please support our charitable work and help us to improve woodland trails and visitor facilities.
Parking
We offer three places to park your car:
- Vowels Lane Car Park – approx. 30 spaces. 2m height restriction barrier. CCTV monitored. The start of our 5km William Robinson Woodland Trail.
///boil.polar.rotate - Kingscote Drive Layby – 9 spaces. Just off the lane to Kingscote Vineyard from Vowels Lane.
///spaces.relegate.trouser - Gravetye Manor Drive Layby – 9 spaces. Disability spaces. The start of our 2.6km William Robinson Woodland Trail.
///workflow.purist.gave
Map from William Robinson’s time courtesy of RHS Lindley Collections
Gravetye Estate is a hidden Sussex gem. We offer free public access to over 600 acres of undulating woods, lakes and farmland via a network of public footpaths, bridleways and permissive paths. Highlights of the estate can be enjoyed by following the William Robinson Woodland Trail, which is marked with the charity’s icon. You can enjoy a 5km circuit from Vowels Lane car park or a shorter circuit from the lay-by off the Main Drive to Gravetye Manor. We have recently invested in resurfacing our most popular paths and aim to improve ‘clay trouble spots’ with support from the public.
Please keep dogs under close control at all times and on leads around Lower Lake.
Visitors come to absorb the tranquil atmosphere around Lower Lake and to glimpse William Robinson’s wild flower meadows from the High Weald Landscape Trail, which cuts through the middle of the estate. The charity’s mission is to share William Robinson’s teachings and to develop a woodland garden and forest garden, for public enjoyment, over the coming years. Please support our mission today.
Image courtesy of Gravetye Manor
“The woodlands should be a sanctuary for birds, foxes, badgers and the like”
Follow the William Robinson Woodland Trail and take in the highlights of the estate and William Robinson’s legacy. The trail has been clearly marked with the Charity’s icon and will be improved and further developed using your feedback.
There are several slopes, so the trail is not fully accessible to wheelchair users and pushchairs, however the layby on Gravetye Manor’s main drive does provide wide bays and all-weather access to the Lower Lake and a beautiful linear walk.
Please download the William Robinson Woodland Trail map and look out the points of interest along the way with your friends and family. The trail is circular and measures 5km from Vowels Lane Car Park or 2.6km from the Main Drive layby.
The route can also be viewed on OS Maps here.
To help us to build a picture of our visitor’s needs please access the QR code where you park and use this form to provide constructive feedback.
Because the estate sits on Wealden clay, paths do become wet and slippery in winter time so sturdy shoes are advised. William Robinson Gravetye Charity is investing in a programme of path improvements and accessibility projects and donations are welcomed, however small.
