Arlington Bluebell Walk announces 2016 dates

The Arlington Bluebell Walk team has announced its private ancient oak wood, home to one of the most beautiful bluebell displays in the UK, will open to the public for the 44th year from April 2 until May 8.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Mar 2016, 16:01 BST
Updated 31st Mar 2016, 16:06 BST

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The Arlington Bluebell Walk, which takes in three working farms, has been delighting countryside lovers and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for Sussex charities since it first opened in 1972.

There are seven different walks to try; including the circular Blue Walk in the 23-acre special bluebell wood accessible to everyone, including mobility scooters and wheelchairs, with seats to enjoy the views every 150 metres. Twelve mobility scooters are available to borrow free of charge for those with walking difficulties.

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The other six walks are over farm land, and the opportunity to watch the afternoon milking of a 400 cow herd between 3pm and 5pm, but it is a three mile walk there and back.

Visitors can also get up close to farm animals with pens of pigs, angora goats, sheep and baby chicks. Dogs are welcomed but on leads, to prevent disruption to the wildlife.

Twenty charities will take part in this year’s event, fundraising for their different causes by providing food and drink to walkers. The Arlington Bluebell Walk has raised more than £800,000 for more than 60 local charities since the attraction opened to the public 44 years ago.

It was awarded the Hidden Gem 2015 accolade by VisitEngland following an inspection by Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme VAQAS last year.

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Three new charities are involved this year, including The Brain Tumour Trust in which Hailsham Young Farmers and relatives of Caroline Payne-Rippengal are raising funds in her memory, The ABC Fund a charity started in 2005 for disadvantaged children in Sussex and The Rotary Club of Eastbourne AM one of the four Rotary Clubs of Eastbourne.

John McCutchan, Farmer at Bates Green Farm near Hailsham, who created the walks and looks after the wood, said, “Bluebells signify that spring has well and truly arrived and warmer weather is on its way.”

Arlington Bluebell Walk is at Bates Green Farm, Tye Hill Road, Arlington, Polegate, BN26 6SH. It is open from 10am to 5pm daily Adults £5, seniors £4.50, children £.00 or family ticket £12. Visit www.bluebellwalk.co.uk.

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