Abbot’s Wood parkrun

There is no direct public transport to Abbot’s Wood, the nearest train station is Polegate, from there it is a 5km walk using local footpaths.

The nearest bus stop is in Hailsham, Ingrams Way, and it is a 4km walk from there using local footpaths.

From Hailsham, starting in South Road turn onto Arlington Road East and follow this road for 300 metres to the main A22 where there is a pedestrian crossing, this leads to Arlington Road West. Turn first left onto Robin Post Lane and follow this directly into Abbot’s Wood for 1.8km turning right at the metal gates. Follow this track for 400 metres and turn left, then follow this track to the main car park and start/finish area.

From Polegate Railway Station, turn right and head North on High Street then turn left onto Hailsham Road at the mini roundabout. After 450 metres turn right onto Sayerland Road, following this all the way to the end where there is a footbridge over the main A259. Turn left and head along Bay Tree Lane until you reach Cophall Farm. Here there is a public bridleway which goes directly into Abbots Wood. Follow this path for 1.6km and turn right onto Robin Post Lane, after 700 metres turn left at the metal gates. Follow this track for 400 metres and turn left, then follow this track to the main car park and start/finish area.

From the A22 heading North from Polegate turn left into Arlington Road West (turn right if heading South) and then left again signposted Arlington/Wilmington (Abbot’s Wood). After you pass The Old Oak Inn on your right the entrance to Abbot’s Wood is about 650 metres on the left.

From the A27 heading East, turn left at the Wilmington crossroads (or right if heading West) into Thornwell Road which leads into Bayley’s Lane, at the end of this road turn right and the entrance to Abbot’s Wood is 150 metres on the right.

Parking at Abbot’s Wood is limited, so arriving early is strongly recommended. Please note that parking at Abbot’s Wood is pay and display, although visitors can also become members of Forestry England and park free of charge all year round.

Please do not park on the surrounding roads. These lanes are extremely narrow and are regularly used by large agricultural machinery. In addition, the grass verges contain rare orchids, and damage to these protected areas causes understandable concern for local residents, which we are keen to avoid.

We also politely ask that participants do not park at The Old Oak Inn unless you intend to join us there afterwards for breakfast or coffee.

Every week we grab a post-parkrun coffee: The Old Oak Inn. Please come and join us!

Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at The Old Oak Inn - please come and join us!

Abbot’s Wood parkrun is a fun, free event organised by volunteers for the benefit of everyone. We wish to make the event as safe as possible, so participants, spectators and helpers are asked to take care about the following:

• Please be considerate to the park and other park users at all times.
• Children under the age of eleven must be accompanied (within arm's reach) throughout the event by a parent, guardian or appropriate adult of the parent's choice.
• Please arrive by foot, by pedal-power or by public transport if you can - your efforts help to reduce our impact on the park and the planet.
• We invite everyone to consider volunteering at parkrun. Your support helps your parkrun events remain sustainable and free for all in your community, and it’s also a wonderful way to improve your own health and happiness. Please visit the volunteer page for more information.
• Take care near roads and car parks – some vehicles drive very quickly. Please congregate away from the cars and be careful in particular if you have children. If you’re driving to the event, please drive carefully.
• Take care on uneven surfaces – whether on grass or on tarmac. Watch out for cyclists, other participants, pedestrians, children, dogs, wildlife, park animals, vehicles, park maintenance work, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.
• Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk, jog, run 5k (3.1 miles) with us.
• If you see someone with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible.
• If you’re watching, keep clear of participants on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.
• Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. Consider protecting yourself by wearing repellent when at parkrun events in grassy or wooded areas. See lymediseaseuk.com for further details.
• You are welcome to take part with one dog by your side, within reach at all times, on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead. The use of waist harnesses is prohibited. Please also see this Support Site entry for further details about parkrunning with dogs.

We hope these tips help to ensure that Abbot’s Wood parkrun is fun and safe for everyone.

All parkrun events use Age Grading to help parkrunners compare results.

parkrun events use Age Grading to help parkrunners see progress and compare results.

For more information, please see our Support page.

All parkrun events are organised by volunteers - email abbotswood@parkrun.com to help.

parkrun is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For our full safeguarding processes and policies please see our Safeguarding Hub.

To report a safeguarding concern please email safeguarding@parkrun.com.