Furnace Ponds north of Dedisham is a carp fishery today, but the ponds have been made on the site of ancient hammer ponds, where Wealden iron was smeltedThe Wey & Arun Canal (opened 1816) passed through a corner of Rudgwick between Hope Farm and Drungewick. This is remains of the old canal bridge at HopeRiver Arun between Hale and Gibbons MillThe Loxwood Stream, at Newhouse, the parish boundary, upstream of the Arun confluenceArun valley at Hope, farmed with conservation in mindRudgwick Biodiversity Project was started by enthusiast Trevor Nash, with assistance from RPS and under the guidance of RPC. the permissive path gives access to the hanger and wetland of a stream alongside King George V Field. The Project has its own website.Bluebells in April under hazel coppice, Weyhurst CopseThe Downs Link footpath now follows the wooded former railway line. this photo is right in the centre of Rudgwick where the bridge carries Church StreetHanger woods follow the south flowing stream tributaries of the Arun, here at Well Grove – coppiced hornbeam under oak standards.Almost all Rudgwick’s fields were surrounded by shaws rather than hedges up to the C19th, but many have been removed or degraded now that there is no use for their timber and faggots. This one is in The HavenA number of ancient oak trees have survived and are registered onlne. This beautiful specimen is behind Hatches on Lynwick StreetThese oaks mark the county and parish boundary, above what was until recently Rudgwick Brickworks, seen from the Border PathRudgwick Ridge provides vantage points with views to the South Downs. Here the Sussex Border Path crosses the track up from LynwickThe view south from the ridge in Autumn
