Worth Way facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Worth Way |
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| Length | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Location | West Sussex, England |
| Trailheads | Three Bridges - East Grinstead |
| Use | Hiking, cycling, horseriding |
The Worth Way is a 7-mile (11 km) path in West Sussex, England. It's great for walking, cycling, and horse riding. This path connects the towns of Crawley and East Grinstead, passing through the village of Crawley Down.
Most of the Worth Way follows an old railway line that is no longer used. This makes it a very important place for wildlife, like a long, safe corridor for animals and plants. It is also part of the National Cycle Network, which is a big system of cycling routes across the country.
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History of the Worth Way
The Worth Way follows the route of a railway line that used to run from Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells. This railway opened way back in 1855. However, it closed down in 1967. This closure was part of a big plan to cut costs on railways, led by Richard Beeching.
By 1977, the local council, West Sussex County Council, bought about 4 miles (6.4 km) of the old railway line. Most of this was in the area of Worth. On July 10, 1979, a large part of the route was officially opened again. But this time, it was for people to walk and ride horses on.
Lost Sections of the Old Railway
Sadly, two parts of the old railway line were already built over before the Worth Way opened.
- One part was near the old Grange Road railway station in Crawley Down. New shops and homes were built there.
- Another section, east of Crawley Down, was also built on.
Because of these missing parts, the Worth Way has to use local roads for about 1,000 meters (about 0.6 miles). This happens from just east of Turners Hill Road (B2028) to Cobb Close. After that, it gets back onto the old railway path.
There's another small detour near Rowfant railway station. The old goods yard there is now used by businesses. So, the path briefly goes onto the road.
Near Compasses Corner, the old railway line was used as a landfill site. This means rubbish was buried there. You can still see where the railway was because of a line of trees. Here, the Worth Way uses Turners Hill Road for a short distance. Then, it turns onto a bridleway that goes through a farm. This leads to a bridge over the M23 motorway. After the bridge, the path goes through the town of Worth, which is now part of Crawley. It follows local roads until it rejoins the old railway path near Church Road.
Worth Way and the National Cycle Network
In the summer of 1999, the Worth Way got a big upgrade. The path was resurfaced, meaning a new surface was put down. This made it suitable for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. The work took eight weeks and cost £300,000. This money came from local councils and the National Lottery. A company called Eurobell also helped pay for it. In return, they were allowed to lay cables under the path.
This work also finished the last part of the Worth Way near Three Bridges railway station. A new connection was also made to another path called the Forest Way. This link is at Herontye Drive in East Grinstead. The Forest Way follows the rest of the old railway line towards Groombridge.
Both the Worth Way and the Forest Way are part of National Cycle Route 21. This route also includes the Cuckoo Trail. Together, these paths link big cities like London and Reigate with towns like East Grinstead, Heathfield, and Eastbourne. They also connect to Gatwick Airport.
Sometimes, online maps like Google Maps incorrectly label parts of Route 21 outside West Sussex as the "Worth Way."
Wildlife on the Worth Way
The Worth Way is a very special place for nature. It is officially called a Site of Nature Conservation Importance. This means it's recognized as important for its plants and animals. It's also in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which means the landscape is protected.
The old railway cuttings (areas where the ground was dug out) and embankments (raised areas) are now covered in trees. You can see trees like silver birch, ash, hazel, and sallow. These have grown into mature woodlands.
Plants and Flowers
In some areas, chalk was used when building the railway. This chalk soil helps special plants grow. You might find chalk-loving plants like guelder rose, common spotted orchid, twayblade, and wild strawberry.
The trees and plants attract many different kinds of wildlife. For example, over 200 types of insects feed on the sallow trees.
Butterflies and Insects
Butterflies are very common along the path.
- In spring, you might see brimstones.
- From June, look for the white admiral and speckled wood.
- In late summer, you can spot meadow brown, ringlet, and skippers.
Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles
The Worth Way is also home to many birds, mammals, and reptiles.
- Birds like the Nuthatch and chiffchaff are often seen in the trees.
- A kingfisher has been spotted at Crawley Down Pond.
- Reptiles like adders, grass snakes, and the common lizard like to warm up in sunny open areas along the old railway line.
- Nearby farmland provides homes for roe deer and foxes.
- If you visit near dusk, you might even see Bats flying around.
Managing the Worth Way for Wildlife
The Worth Way is looked after by two local councils: Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council. They work to keep the path healthy for wildlife. They try to have a mix of different-aged trees and shrubs, while also keeping some areas open.
One way they do this is by coppicing. This means cutting trees and shrubs back to their base. This helps plants like primrose and insects. The new growth then provides places for birds to nest. Open areas are regularly cut to stop bushes from taking over. This helps species that like open spaces.
Ditches along the path keep it dry and are also important for wildlife. Crawley Down Pond is managed by a local environmental group. This group started in 1999 with just a few people picking up litter. Now, it's a bigger, organized group that meets regularly. They've even installed a new bank to help prevent flooding.
Local councils also organize annual litter picks along the Worth Way. This is part of their "Let's FACE it" campaign. It helps to clear up rubbish and illegally dumped waste along the trail.
