New Mobile Site
We have just launched a new mobile version of this site -
m.trainspots. This page will use your smart device's GPS to loctate you and guide you to locations that are close to your present location.
Location notes
A simple foot crossing over the Brighton main line just to the North of Wiveslfield Station on the northern edge of Burgess Hill. A style on either side of the line neds to be crossed to access the foot crossing.
It is about a 7 minute walk from Wivelsfield Station which can be seen looking to the south from the crossing; to the North, Haywards Heath station can just about be seen through the tunnel in the distance.
Access is via a walk through the paths and fields of Bedelands Nature reserve or down the path from Valebridge road where parking is possible... but limited!
Railway type and traffic
Brighton Mainline: Southern, Thameslink and Gat-ex passenger trains running London to Brighton, and Southern trains from London to Eastbourne, Hastings and Ore, and Newhaven and occasionally to Seaford.
Some freight (not much) mainly the Newhaven aggregates to Acton ML most days, and the very occasional mainline steam.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Bedelands Farm CrossingThis link should be close to the location, but may not be the
actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
Edge of town, with the backs of house to the eastern side approach to the crossing; open fields of a nature reserve to the west. Permanent travellers' camp to the south on the western side but feeling nicely rural. No animals to disturb, but no shelter from the elements either.
Road directions
Parking
Park along the road in Valebridge road, but not too close to the crest of the hill where the footpath branches away from the road, but also where the speed limit increases from 30.
Public transport
Wivelsfield railway station is a 10 minute walk away - straight along Valebridge and Leylands Roads.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There is a chip shop, bakery and post office near Wivelsfield station; toilets near playing fields at bottom of Manor Road and sandwich shop/cafe (recommended) at bottom of Valebridge Road.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Bedelands Farm Crossing
Googly map
Streetmap links
Bedelands Farm Crossing general view map
Bedelands Farm Crossing close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Bedelands Farm Crossing
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The best images are in the afternoon with traffic headed South (looking North), standing on the west side of the crossing and the light coming from the south west, illuminating the traffic and trees behind. The sun can be tricky in the middle of the day and afternoon if looking to the South, but it is do-able from the east-side of the crossing.
The location is good for viewing the Southern, Thameslink and Gat-ex units that operate between London (and Bedford) and Brighton and Eastbourne/Hastings, with the occasional freight to/from Newhaven and the very occasional RHTT or steam special. The best view is from the west side of the crossing looking north where the sun will nicely illuminate the oncoming traffic against the trees all year; the undergrowth can become a little tall in the late summer but most of the year it is a reasonable view.
Looking to the south, the view is better from the eastern side of the crossing, although both ways can be viewed from both sides.
General views - All photographs © Jonathan Hughes unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking south
Fig 3 - Looking north
Sunrise during the winter months.
Location Video
All information contained within this is site is � Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.