Railway 200
In 2025, we celebrate 200 years of the Railway with the national campaign “Railway 200,” which we have proudly joined. Burgess Hill has a rich railway heritage and in contribution to this national commemoration we have created a signed trail that takes in both Burgess Hill and Wivelsfield stations and several other stops along the route.
For the best experience please access the trail (with route map and extended detail of each stop) by downloading the Bluebell Railway app via the following links and selecting the Burgess Hill Trail:
Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stqry.proj3000000000013
Apple:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bluebell-railway-digital-guide/id6748613418
Vintage image of Burgess Hill Station
1.Burgess Hill Station
Burgess Hill Station opened in late 1843 as part of the London and Brighton Railway. It was part of the initial expansion of the Brighton Main Line connecting London to Brighton and as such it was instrumental in transforming the town from a rural hamlet into a thriving commuter hub!
The station initially consisted of two basic wooden platforms and a shelter, a portion of the original wooden hut that served as the initial station facilities for Burgess Hill railway station still exists on platform 1. In November 2020 the hut was refurbished, and is now used as a waiting room.
To get to the next stop please take the Green Circle footpath alongside the railway line to Franklands Bridge
2.Batchelors Farm and Franklands Bridge
The Batchelors Farm area offers scenic views and leads to Franklands Bridge, a vital structure built during the railway’s expansion, it was essential for maintaining connection between the two halves of Batchelors Farm which was bisected by the Railway.
Look north on the bridge and you can see Burgess Hill Station, look South and you can see Clayton Tunnel. Clayton Tunnel opened in 1841 and is approximately 1.25 miles (2 km), making it one of the longest railway tunnels in England at the time. If you’re lucky you’ll see a train approaching from the south – give the driver a wave and you’re bound to get a toot of the whistle in return!
For information about the Clayton Tunnel Rail crash in 1861 follow this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clayton_Tunnel_rail_crash
Looking North towards Burgess Hill Station Looking South towards Hassocks and the Downs
Cross from Franklands Bridge onto Nightingale Meadows to see Saxby’s Halt
Image of Jon Mills’ “Saxby’s Hal
3.Saxby’s Holt
As you step into Nightingale Meadow stop at Saxby’s Holt, an artwork installation celebrating the region’s railway heritage. This sculpture of the ‘point lock’ system, by artist Jon Mills, honours John Saxby the inventor of the railway signal interlocking system which played a key role in railway safety. John Saxby was a local man who at one time lived in Wivelsfield Green.
Interlocking is a system that prevents conflicting movements through railway junctions, ensuring that signals and points (track switches) work together safely. In 1856, Saxby patented the mechanical interlocking of points and signals — a groundbreaking safety mechanism that greatly reduced accidents due to human error. This system became the foundation of modern railway signalling worldwide.
To find out more about John Saxby please follow this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Saxby
Loop back along the Footpath upto the station and head down Junction Road to the level crossing
Image shows cast iron footbridge
4.Junction Road/Junction Inn
The Junction Road Level Crossing also known as Keymer Level Crossing is a historic point on the Brighton Main Line, serving as a vital link between local communities since the mid-19th century. Situated near the site of the former Junction Inn, this crossing has witnessed the evolution of railway travel, from steam locomotives to modern electric trains. John Saxby’s first “pointlock” was installed here at Keymer Junction.
In 1888, a cast iron footbridge was erected at the crossing to allow pedestrians to cross safely when the gates were closed to road traffic. This footbridge became an iconic part of the local landscape, reflecting the town’s growth alongside the railway expansion.
The Junction Inn by the level crossing in Junction Road was built in the mid-19th century after the Lewes branch line was opened and a little ‘Halt’ was constructed nearby for users of the line.
Walk north of the level crossing to gain access to the Bumpy Bridge opposite the end of Cants Lane
5.The Bumpy Bridge
In building the track through what is now the urban spread of Burgess Hill, account had to be taken of an old right of way from Ditchling Common to St. John’s Common windmill. This resulted in the footpath and bridge between Cants Lane and St. Wilfred’s Road, fondly known locally as ‘the Bumpy Bridge’. It was recorded in 1852 as ‘foot Road to St. John’s Common’ on a map of ‘Cants Farm’ where St. Andrew’s Church now stands. This became vital evidence in saving the right of way when the Railway company wanted to close it down in the 1980s, and more recently.
The Bumpy Bridge offers a unique vantage point where you can see both Burgess Hill and Wivelsfield stations. It highlights the strategic placement of the railway and its integration into the landscape.
Keymer Junction & Burgess
Hill Station from the Bumpy Bridge Wivelsfield Station from The Bumpy Bridge
Walk down the pathway from the Bumpy Bridge, or back onto Junction Road and north to Wivelsfield station.
6.Wivelsfield Station
Wivelsfield Station began its life in 1854 as Keymer Junction, serving as a strategic connection point between the Brighton Main Line and the Lewes branch. Renamed in 1896, it was pivotal in linking the expanding railway networks of Victorian England. The original station was slightly south of the current location and was relocated and rebuilt in 1886 to accommodate growing demand.
In 1899, the station made national headlines when a tragic fog-related train collision led to six fatalities. This incident was a catalyst for significant improvements in railway safety and signal visibility across the country.
For more information about this please follow this link: https://burgesshillheritagehistory.org.uk/index.php/historic-events-detail/
With our thanks to The Burgess Hill Heritage and History Association and the Bluebell Railway for their assistance and guidance with this project.