Withyham Station (Closed) and parts of the adjacent Forest Way Country Park.
A second branch then continued to the east, constructed by the East Grinstead, Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells Railway Company. Work started on 18 July 1863 but unfortunately failed four official inspections. This delayed the opening until 1 October 1866, when the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) arranged to operate the line. The section through Groombridge to Tunbridge Wells is now part of the Spa Valley Railway and covered in separate collections which can be accessed from the main website index page.
Both lines closed on 2 January 1967, victims of the Beeching cuts, and the track bed now forms part of the Worth Way Country Park to the west, and the Forest Way Country Park to the east.
Separate collections cover (a) Withyham Station; (b) Hartfield Station; (c) the site of Forest Row Station; (d) the site of East Grinstead High Level Station; (e) the site of Grange Road Station; and (f) Rowfant Station.
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I am grateful to John Attfield for allowing me to use some of his images in this gallery. Withyham Station looking west from a position near the goods dock on 6 January 1966. The level crossing gates remain open to road traffic and an eastbound Home signal can just be seen in the distance. The adjacent signal box is now preserved on the Bluebell Railway. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Withyham Station looking east from track level on 6 January 1966. A westbound Home signal can be seen beyond the end of the platform and a set of steps stands ready for use, but otherwise all is quiet. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
The deserted forecourt of Withyham Station pictured on 6 January 1966. As can be seen the Station Master's house had by then been painted white. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Withyham Station looking south towards the single platform and station buildings on 6 January 1966. A narrow road runs across the level crossing west of the station but the combined efforts of the power company and the (then) GPO manage to obstruct the vista. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Withyham Station looking east in 2003. At the time the public footpath ran directly adjacent to the old station platform although the route has subsequently been slightly adjusted (see later). 05.04.2003
A second view of Withyham Station looking east in 2003. The gate in the foreground marks the position of the old level crossing. In common with many country stations built around this time the station is actually not in the village of Withyham at all. It is adjacent to the hamlet of Batts Green which may have enjoyed a brief period of development when the railway arrived. 05.04.2003
A later view of Withyham Station in 2009, looking east. A small fence has been erected to keep walkers away from the edge of the old platform, and the route of the public footpath has been marginally adjusted. It is unclear whether this is to protect private property or on safety grounds as some of the bricks are loose. 02.03.2009
A wider view of Withham Station, looking east on 02.03.2009. The station originally had a canopy, which started just to the left of the upper casement window in the main part part of the house, and ran the length of the adjacent single storey waiting room and booking hall. The ornate post in the right foreground is a milepost, of which more later.
Withyham Station building looking south. This building has been modified in much the same way as the station house at Hartfield. The two storey section of the house on the right originally had no large windows, just a door in the position of the ground floor window, with a tiny window to the right. The first floor has been extended to the right. The window on the left has been inserted into the original building, and the section of the building including the right hand upper window is a new addition. In the larger (centre) part of the house the first floor casement window and the double window below it are original. 02.03.2009
The original forecourt of Withyham Station, looking north. The old single storey entrance to the station, on the right of the station house, is obscured by a hedge, but has been extensively reconstructed. 02.03.2009
Looking east at Withyham Station, the gate marks the entrance to the old goods yard, which is private property. There are no obvious remaning features although the area once contained two long sidings, a goods loop and a Goods Shed. A further long siding ran east away from the station and goods yard, and could have served as a headshunt for the goods yard. 02.03.2009
Looking east past the old platform at Withyham Station on 05.04.2003
A similar view in 2009, showing that a fence now takes walkers away from the platform edge. The fence on the right marks the position of the old signal box that controlled the level crossing and goods yard. A modern house now occupies this site. The old signal box building can be seen at Sheffield Park Station on the Bluebell Railway, where it forms part of the Museum display. The station building was originally finished in brick, and the white colour is a modern addition. 02.03.2009
A closer view of Withyham Station platform, looking east. Some recent tree felling had taken place on the platform edge. 02.03.2009
The section of platform adjacent to the station house is clearly visible, with privacy maintained by a thick hedge. 02.03.2009
Further east, the hedge around Withyham Station house is replaced by a fence. On the whole the old platform is better defined than at Hartfield. 02.03.2009
This is the eastern end of the platform at Withyham Station, looking west. Although rather overgrown the structure is still largely intact. 18.10.2009
A Withyham Station sign above the original casement window on the station house. 02.03.2009
Looking south across the adjacent fields towards Withyham Station. 02.03.2009
The route of the original track bed leading east away from Withyham Station. A long siding or headshunt was originally on the right of the main track bed. 02.03.2009
Looking west towards Withyham station from the point at which the goods yard ended. The entrance to the goods yard and headshunt are poorly defined in the undergrowth, but the main track bed follows the obvious path. The goods yard led away to the left towards the metal gate in the distance. 18.10.2009
Moving closer to the old Withyham goods yard the main track bed is clearly defined on the right. The goods yard is over the hedge on the left. It has been totally levelled and converted to a private pasture area for animals. There are no surviving signs of the railway. 18.10.2009
Turning round and looking east, the single line led away towards the signal box at Ashurst Junction. Trains normally continued to Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells. That part of the line is now served by the Spa Valley Railway. 18.10.2009
A second view east with a longer lens. Trees growing in the drainage ditches either side of the line now form a tunnel, but when the railway was operating the lineside would have been kept clear, opening up the views. 18.10.2009
Looking west towards Withyham Station from a position east of the station. The path is perhaps now too overgrown, and would benefit from some planned clearance to open up some of the views. 18.10.2009
Returning to the western end of Withyham Station, ornate markers have been installed along the track bed, which now forms the route of Forest Way, a cross-country route for walkers and cyclists. In this case the sign shows the distances to Hartfield and Groombridge, formerly adjacent stations. 02.03.2009
Looking east across the old level crossing towards Withyham Station. 02.03.2009
The reverse of the previous view, looking west from Withyham Station across the old level crossing. 02.03.2009
Looking west along the old track bed in the direction of Hartfield Station. 02.03.2009
The single line track bed west of Withyham Station, looking west. 02.03.2009
West of Withyham Station this shot looks west through a tunnel of trees. The lineside would have been cleared when trains were running. 25.10.2003
The reverse of the previous view, looking east towards Withyham Station. 25.10.2003