IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Shire Lane, HAYWARDS HEATH, RH16 4UX

Once part of a field called Upper meadow according to Cuckfield's 1843 tithe map, this small cul de sac off Bolnore Road was built in the last couple of years. The South Downs can be seen in the distance.

Part of the large recreation ground and found between Bolnore road to the south and the miniature railway to the north.

Originally a field called Upper Eight Acres according to Cuckfield's 1843 tithe map during the mid 19th century it became part of the grounds of a substantial villa called Beech Hurst. On the death of the last owner the grounds were offered to the local council who landscaped it into a public garden that included bowling greens and a miniature railway. The Lower Meadow covers the area between the railway and Bolnore Road.

The former chapel was converted into flats in 2001 and having once been the place of worship for the community of the Holy Cross convent which moved to Haywards Heath in 1886 and left in 1979. The former nunnery known as Grosvenor Hall was converted into offices in 1980 and has been occupied by the charity Sightsavers since 1990 though they too are due to move and have sold the building so it can be converted into housing. The former convert occupied the northern end of Reading Wood part of which still survives to the south and contains a burial area for the former nuns.

The new road will be the access route for the last phase of the Bolnore village development. This section occupies a former field called Crabtree Field, according to Cuckfield's 1843 tithe map.

The brown locomotive from Image has just commenced its second circuit of the day. A circuit takes about five minutes and costs adults and children £1 per circuit. The railway usually opens at weekends from Easter to October with Bank Holidays and Wednesday's during the summer school break as additional days. The trains generally operate from 2.00-5.00 but are out in the sidings steaming up from about 1pm onwards.

Not marked on Cuckfield's 1843 tithe map but in place by the first edition of the OS map in 1874 to enable access to Bolnore House from the east. The houses in view were added in the late 19th century whilst Wealden Way on the left was built in the late 1970s.

The railway was opened in 1954 and was extended in 1974 to include a 50 yard tunnel and footbridge, see Image See http://www.beechhurst-railway.org.uk/about.htm for more information. This is the only station on the half mile circuit.

Small cul de sac off Bolnore Road that lies to the east of Beech Hurst gardens.

The first of the four trains has coupled with the passenger seats and is readying itself to head along to the station. The railway usually opens at weekends from Easter to October with Bank Holidays and Wednesday's during the summer school break as additional days. The trains generally operate from 2.00-5.00 but are out in the sidings steaming up from about 1pm onwards.