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Crawley's green lung

Recommended by

Our view

"This fine park has many good paths, lakes and varied landscapes as well as attractions such as the Nature Centre."

Walk directions

From the car park vehicular exit cross the road towards the children’s play area. Go under the Go Ape treetop trail, with its ropeways, and at crosspaths bear left, then right just before an emergency vehicle access area to descend parallel to the road. Head towards the house, then just after the Tilgate Park sign (facing the other way) turn right at the first road junction. Follow this road and cross a bridge past a car park and over a stream, then go right alongside the stream.

Just below the dam bear left onto a metalled track and follow this up and along the side of Tilgate Lake. Towards the end, look out for the information board about the reed bed on the left. Continue past the end of the lake.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Footpaths and tracks

Landscape - Parkland, a golf course, woods including a Victorian pinetum and lakes

Dog friendliness - Dog friendly

Parking - Tilgate Park Car Park, pay at entry barrier

Toilets en route - At the car park and in the Walled Garden

About the walk

Originally within the Worth Forest held by William de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, Tilgate was separated out from the forest, and by the 16th century a mansion apparently existed near the main lake. In the 1860s John Nix bought the estate and set about making his mark. He built a large Tudor-style...

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About the area

not available. .

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

3.75 miles (6kms)

Ascent:

115ft (35m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Crawley's green lung

Recommended by

Our view

"This fine park has many good paths, lakes and varied landscapes as well as attractions such as the Nature Centre."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

3.75 miles (6kms)

Ascent:

115ft (35m)

Walk directions

1 of 7

2 of 7

Cross a footbridge and then go along the dam of the Silt Lake. At the end continue on the second path from the left amid pines. The path winds within the Pinetum.

3 of 7

Reach a timber footbridge: do not cross it but continue ahead on a broad grassy path (avoiding a minor left fork) amid more open specimen conifer trees. Ahead is the roar of the M23. Reaching the track near the motorway fence bear right and follow the track amid woods. Descend to the valley bottom just as the main track starts to rise.

4 of 7

Cross the stream and just as the main track starts to rise, bear right to leave it. The track winds along in woods beside Titmus Lake. At the end, go right along the dam path, then go right and left to continue ahead uphill with glimpses of alpacas and other animals through the hedge on your right.

5 of 7

Emerge on a park road and go forward following signs for the Walled Garden, which you soon reach. (You can also follow signs for the Heather Garden and Peace Garden.) After visiting the garden, turn right out of the entrance, along the wall, and then at the first wall corner fork left on a tarmacked path. This immediately curves to the right round a picnic area, then reaches a fork, where you bear left.

6 of 7

At the next junction, go forward, signposted Tilgate Forest Walk, and follow the path to the lake shore. Turn left along the lakeside until the play area comes into view up on the left, and take a path up to it and the main car park.

7 of 7

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Footpaths and tracks

Landscape - Parkland, a golf course, woods including a Victorian pinetum and lakes

Dog friendliness - Dog friendly

Parking - Tilgate Park Car Park, pay at entry barrier

Toilets en route - At the car park and in the Walled Garden

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

not available. .

Crawley's green lung

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Crawley's green lung

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