Since 1990 the Cuckoo Trail has been a each end of the bridge. Riders can follow the bridlepath How to get to the Cuckoo Trail Contact us/more information leisure route used by walkers, cyclists and to Abbot’s Wood, or follow the NCN 21 track and return Train There are stations at Polegate and Hampden Park. The Cuckoo Trail is managed by Wealden District Council horseriders. It is extremely popular and is north via Shepham Lane (again crossing the A27). For information on time-tables contact National Rail and East Sussex County Council. Contact the Ranger on Ordnance Survey Explorer 123 map is advised. Enquires on 08457 48 49 50. Bikes are carried free on 01273 481637 or email mainly off-road so is suitable for people of trains throughout the South Central region (at the time of [email protected] all ages and abilities. Cuckoo Trail users code writing). East Sussex County Council Please Bus Polegate, Hellingly, Horam and Heathfield routes are Countryside Management Service History • do not leave litter operated by Eastbourne Buses Service 52 and Service 53. Transport and Environment Department The Cuckoo Trail is owned by Wealden District Council and • respect neighbours of the Trail Tel: 01323 416416. County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent East Sussex County Council but this ‘cycle/pathway’ was • keep to the path and do not trespass on any Car There is car parking at Heathfield, Horam, Hellingly, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1UE not originally built for this purpose. adjacent land Hailsham, Polegate and Hampden Park. Or contact Wealden District Council on 01892 602756 Opened in 1880, the Cuckoo Line was the Polegate to • motor vehicles and motorcycles are prohibited Horsebox parking The Hellingly Cuckoo Trail car park is off Regeneration Eridge railway, carrying milk, livestock and animal feed as • shooting, firearms and fireworks are prohibited road and is large enough for a trailer or horsebox. The Wealden District Council well as passengers. It was named the Cuckoo Line after • clear up your dog’s mess and use bins provided Trail is accessed via a ramp. Freepost SEA10959 the tradition that the first cuckoo of spring was heard at Bike hire Cycle Revival, Hailsham Road, Heathfield, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 1BR Heathfield Fair. Although it was a busy line it eventually Cyclists please East Sussex TN21 8AA Tel: 01435 866118 We value your comments or feedback. closed due to the cuts made by Dr Beeching in 1968. • Carry a bell. Don’t surprise people – ring your bell or Email: [email protected] www.cyclerevival.co.uk The Cuckoo Trail is 11 miles long joining three of the call out, remember that many people are hard of Open Mon-Sat 9.00-5.30pm. Advance booking advised. district’s towns, Heathfield, Hailsham and Polegate. It also hearing or visually impaired – don’t assume that they Cuckmere Cycle Company, at the Seven Sisters Country Key to symbols The symbols on each page show which facilities are passes through the villages of Horam and Hellingly. The can see or hear you Park, a short drive from the Trail. Tel: 01323 870310 available in the towns and villages on the Trail. Trail has an extension to the south of Polegate which joins • Don’t expect to cycle at high speeds, be prepared Woody’s (holidays/weekends) Tel: 07976 249143 to Hampden Park in Eastbourne forming part of the to slow down and stop if necessary National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 21. • Give way and leave plenty of room for walkers, Accommodation near the Cuckoo Trail Shop Pub horses and people with disabilities If you are looking for places to stay, the Sussex Country Cuckoo Trail users • Slow down at junctions and bends Information Centre will be happy to book accommodation Walkers: Can use all of the Cuckoo Trail. • Dismount where requested for you free of charge. Café Leisure Cyclists: Can use all of the Cuckoo Trail (but please Please contact the facility dismount where signed). Walkers please Sussex Country Information Centre Horseriders: Can ride from Hellingly to the south of • do not obstruct cyclists or horses Lower Dicker, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 4DT Event/Attraction P Car park Heathfield (approx 6.5 miles and back = 13 miles). • keep dogs under control Tel 01323 442667 Hampden From Summerhill Lane (south of Hailsham where the Trail Email: [email protected] Accommodation WC Toilet can be accessed) to Polegate (approx. 2 miles). This Horseriders please Park section does involve going over a bridge which crosses • give way to walkers and cyclists Events/Attractions the new A27 bypass. A mounting block is provided at • use the separate path where provided There are many local events and attractions near to the • do not use the town sections of the Trail Cuckoo Trail which are well worth visiting. Some of these Benches have been are highlighted throughout this brochure. For more erected along the Trail. information contact the Sussex Country Information Centre These were made from local or go to www.sussexcountry.com. oaks blown down in the hurricane in 1987. Picnic tables can be found near Heathfield, Horam, Hailsham Hellingly and Polegate. Heathfield Hellingly Polegate Horam Heathfield to Polegate 11 miles Polegate to Hampden Park 3 miles Heathfield Events/Attractions The market town of Heathfield stands Natural gas was discovered in Heathfield is an ideal touring base Le Marche is a lively street market. on one of the main ridges of the 1896 near Heathfield Railway station with a good range of general and There are both French and English Le Tour de Wealden This annual Farmers Market A wonderful High Weald in an Area of Outstanding by some engineers who were actually specialist shops and other services. stall holders and colourful street summer cycling event takes place in opportunity to buy fresh, locally Natural Beauty. Surrounded by looking for water. It still retains its links with the entertainers. Le Marche is held on aid of charity. There are three routes produced products; the farmers beautiful, rolling Sussex countryside Jonathan Harmer (1762-1849) was farming industry, which has shaped August Bank Holiday Monday each to suit all abilities and ages and market is held on the third Saturday there are magnificent views to the a talented stonemason and sculptor the surrounding countryside over the year. There is safe parking for bicycles everyone is welcome to take part. of every month, 9.00am-1.00pm, at south from the High Street. whose family lived in Heathfield. He centuries. on the day. the Co-Op car park. Heathfield gained its market started making ornamental bas-relief Cuckoo Fair The annual April Heffle charter in 1316. Later development of terracotta memorial plaques from The Millennium Green is linked to the (Heathfield) Cuckoo Fair was Heathfield Show Held on the second the area took place with the growth local red clay at the beginning of the Cuckoo Trail via a signposted route traditionally held on the 15th April. A May Bank Holiday weekend of the iron industry in the 16th and 19th century for people who couldn’t through the 240 metre Heathfield old lady would always appear to (Saturday), this annual agricultural 17th centuries, and then with the afford expensive headstones. Fine Tunnel. It is situated north of the release from her basket the first show makes a wonderful family day coming of the railway in the 19th examples of these headstones can be tunnel behind the Co-Op cuckoo of spring and this has been out. With demonstrations, horse century. Old Heathfield was the found at Heathfield and many other supermarket. You are welcome to use re-enacted in later years. events, farming competitions, crafts original location of the settlement. At local churchyards. the picnic tables and barbecues, and local produce on display nearby Cade Street are the Heathfield explore the woodland and old railway throughout the day. Beacon and the memorial to Jack track or just relax and enjoy the Cade, who, in 1450, led an peaceful scenery. The glades and For more information on these events insurrection of the common people feature areas have accessible contact the Sussex Country and was reputedly killed near where surfaces. Information Centre on 01323 442667. the memorial is sited. Millennium Green Old Heathfield Cuckoo Trail access points Hail N sham Road d B22 a 03 o R n Harley o ti Lane ta R S WC Sw aines W ay N H ew R ig Newnham Ghy h ll Road S Way t r e e W ad R t al o dro l R n Th yl A orns h 2 Tilsmore R G 6 oa 5 d WC Tunnel & R Millennium – Cycle racks Green Heathfield P WC Horam 2 miles Hellingly church Horam Attraction Hellingly Horam was originally a small hamlet Hidden Spring Vineyard Vines Cross Hellingly is a small, attractive village, which grew due to the opening of Road, Horam. Tel: 01435 812640 famous for its unusual churchyard. the Cuckoo Line in 1880. Open Sat, Sun & Wed 11.00am to The church of St Peter & St Paul The landscape is formed by 5.00pm, 1 April to 24 December. has a rare circular churchyard of streams which have carved valleys, Sample award-winning wines, apples Saxon origin, known as a cric. by trees and hedgerows, and by and pears in this 28 acre Standing seven feet above the narrow winding lanes. vineyard/organic orchard. An ideal encircling houses, it is held in place The large deposits of Wadhurst spot to picnic or come for a leisurely by tall brick walls and criss-crossed Clay, formed about 130 million years stroll.