Since 1990 the 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 and Hampden Park. The Cuckoo Trail is managed by 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 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). County Council Please Bus Polegate, , and Heathfield routes are Countryside Management Service History • do not leave litter operated by 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, , East Sussex BN7 1UE not originally built for this purpose. adjacent land , Polegate and Hampden Park. Or contact Wealden District Council on 01892 602756 Opened in 1880, the 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, , 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 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 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 spot to picnic or come for a leisurely by tall brick walls and criss-crossed Clay, formed about 130 million years stroll. Caravan Club approved CL by brick paths laid by unemployed ago, influence the kind of farming site. Groups welcome, although labourers in 1824. The circular form of which is carried on today and have advance booking is requested. the burial ground is believed to been exploited for brick manufacture represent the Celtic symbol of at Marle Green, Horam. immortality and was raised above Horam has the dubious honour of ground level to keep the dead dry. on a much older site and restored in initiated by the Parish Council to being the first village in the area to The church itself was built in about 1925. The odd name probably comes mark the Millennium. The award- be hit by bombs and doodlebugs 1190 and has a good early English from two 14th-century owners – winning project is managed and during the Second World War. chancel and north transept. There is a Herst and Lyngyver. maintained by its Friends, a local splendid gilded organ in the western community group. Planting was Wild flowers Look out for early gallery. Three well-preserved Harmer Look out for Hellingly Station, now a completed in 2002 at a Golden purple orchids growing along the terracotta plaques can be found in private dwelling next to the Trail. It Jubilee celebration. Trail between Horam and Hellingly in For more information on events and the churchyard (see Heathfield). still has ornate plasterwork, canopy April and May. You will probably attractions, please contact the fretwork and stained glass windows. Watermill (private dwelling) To the notice the smell of Ramsons (wild Sussex Country Information Centre Horselunges Manor (a private A branch line once ran from here to west of the Cuckoo Trail where the garlic) growing. on 01323 442667 dwelling) can be found a couple of Hellingly Hospital. path crosses Mill Lane is a recently- hundred yards from the Cuckoo Trail. restored watermill on an ancient This magnificently timbered, moated Arboretum Sited opposite the old site, here since at least 1255 when it High Street, Horam Manor house was built around 1475 railway station, the Arboretum was was owned by Battle Abbey.

1 Heathfield 2 miles Horam 4 ⁄ 2 miles Cuckoo Trail access points Cuckoo Trail access points

N A27

d Downline R Par

k 1

s WC Roa s Close P d

o r N ne C d a a s L o B2 e 2 n R 0 i ch 3 n V e o e d ti b a e ta o r S o R H e WC g

d i

r

R b

Hillside e

s Drive R H r a o ilsh 7 am H 26 Ro r

a e A d A d 267 p

R p n do U on P L le tt Li R – Cycle racks Horam Hellingly

1 1 Hellingly 4 ⁄ 2 miles Hailsham 1 ⁄ 2 miles Hailsham Events/Attractions Hailsham was first granted its Market Offices. During the reign of Elizabeth I A Farmers’ and Craft Market takes Old Loom Mill Mulbrooks, Ersham Michelham Priory Upper Dicker, near Charter in 1252 by Henry III, so it coaches from had their place on the second Saturday of each Road, Hailsham Tel:01323 848007. Hailsham. Tel: 01323 844224. could hold its own cattle market terminus here. month Tel: 01323 833359. A large centre for discounted fabrics www.sussexpast.co.uk which spread out from Market Square. and knitting yarns. Tea Rooms. Historic house and remains of Many historic buildings can be Common Pond Originally a dammed Hailsham Leisure Centre, Country views of the , Augustinian Priory set in seven acres found in Hailsham, the present stream to make carp ponds for the including swimming pool. Vicarage Craft Hall in which a wide range of of beautiful gardens, surrounded by shopping centre is in scale with the Manor House. It was also used for Lane, Hailsham. Tel: 01323 846755. crafts are being made on site and the longest water-filled medieval Georgian buildings of the High Street. cooling of metal in the casting of Café for refreshments and food. offered for sale. Easy parking. Open moat in . Working watermill, Close to the town centre visitors will bells. The pond and Hailsham Monday to Sat 9-5pm Sun & Bank nature trail, sculpture trail, restaurant easily find St Mary’s church with an Common were enclosed in 1855 and in Heritage Centre Blackman’s Yard (rear Hols. 10-5 pm and shop. Open 1 March to 31 important perpendicular tower built in 1922 the pond was bought by the of Town Council offices, Market October. Closed Mondays except in chequers of flint and squared stone, Town Council, upkeep and Street) Manned by volunteers of the Knockhatch Adventure Park August and Bank Holidays. and dating from the 15th century. improvements have been made to this Hailsham Historical & Natural History Hempstead Lane, Hailsham Not far from the church visitors will in recent years. You will pass the pond Society. Open May – September 10.30 Tel: 01323 442051. Abbots Wood (Forestry Commission) find several of the oldest buildings whilst cycling or walking the Trail. – 12.30pm Thursdays, Fridays and www.knockhatch.com 360 hectares of mixed woodland including the Pavilon Cinema and the Saturdays only. Well worth a visit. On A22 west of Hailsham gifted by Henry I to Battle Abbey and Hailsham Heritage Centre. See The largest industry in the area is still Adventure park with playgrounds. once overseen by the Abbot (hence opposite for more information. agriculture, though other industries Hailsham Pavilion was restored to its crazy golf, play barn, nature trail, its name). Ancient ditches and banks have existed in the past. Rope making former glory and reopened in January birds of prey, reptiles, animals and can still be seen. The coppice areas The Fleur de Lys Originally an inn on and cattle feed mills, formerly 2000 as a cinema and theatre. Well lots more. support rare dormice and pearl- Market Street it dates from 1540 and important, have virtually disappeared. worth a visit if you have time. For bordered fritillaries. has had a varied history as a Poor the programme and tickets phone House c.1870, a butchers, sweet shop Hailsham has a good range of services 01323 841414. For more information on events and and Post Office. Nowadays, it makes including supermarkets, pubs and attractions contact the Sussex Country a fine setting for the Town Council tearooms. Information Centre on 01323 442667.

1 Hellingly 1 ⁄ 2 miles Wood near Hailsham Hailsham Pavilion

Common R G

e Pond R o Ba t r tle t g S e d Ro WC h on R N a ig S Stati d H t Cuckoo Trail A2 95 North St access points R R – Cycle racks R So u th Hawks Road Ro ad A d 2 a 95 R o n Summerheath Rd do Lon ay sW ck lo ip e D n

a

L

d

a

e t s - Pass p By A22 m WC e Hailsham P H Polegate 3 miles PolegatePolegate Tower Mill Hampden Park – Eastbourne Shinewater Marsh Polegate’s importance in modern Along this part of the Trail look out Attraction times stems from its railway for birds and waterfowl which are The large park at Hampden Park junction. Even today its rail links are attracted to Shinewater Marsh all features a lake populated with ducks important with its fast trains to year round. and swans, a large grassland area for Gatwick and Victoria. Hampden Park has a range of leisure activities and mixed deciduous Polegate has an abundance of shops and services as well as the and coniferous woodland. unspoilt countryside on its doorstep train station. In spring Hampden Park is bursting and would keep the dedicated To the south of Hampden Park is with sweeping drifts of daffodils, walker going for many days. There Eastbourne, perhaps the most crocuses and bluebells, and there are are delightful walks through wooded aristocratic of the Sussex resorts also year-round displays such as the countryside between Hailsham and with its air of Victorian opulence. fernery beside the lake’s waterfall. the and many The promenade and flower gardens In nearby Eastbourne you can find varied views from the numerous Attractions between the bandstand and the pier the Eastbourne Miniature Steam walks on the Sussex Downland. Near Polegate is Filching Manor, a Friends of Polegate Windmill. are worth a visit as is the award- Railway Adventure Park, Lloyds Lanes Near Polegate are the pretty fine timber-framed building dating Old Loom Mill See previous page. winning marina. Eastbourne has and Laserquest, Trax Indoor Karting hamlets of Wannock and Otham from the 15th century. This is also the theatres, cinemas, museums, an art Centre and Eastbourne Golfing Park. where there are remains of a priory home of a motor museum and a go- For more information on events and gallery, and a fine shopping centre, Or head into the town centre for a founded in the late 12th century. kart track for enthusiasts. attractions contact the Sussex Country including the undercover Arndale full range of beach attractions and Wilmington village is only a few Information Centre on 01323 442667. Centre. activities. miles from Polegate where the Long Polegate Windmill Polegate Tower Mill For information on accommodation, Man of Wilmington is cut into the was built in 1817 for local farmer and attractions and events in Eastbourne chalk of the Downs. landowner Joseph Seymour. The mill contact Eastbourne Tourist is now owned by the Eastbourne Information Centre on 01323 411400 Civic Society, but much of the www.visiteastbourne.com fundraising is carried out by the

Hailsham 3 miles Polegate 3 miles Hampden Park W ill e N in

n g a d d o L a n t o r R D

u r o n o

o d v

C i R Ash School t Cuckoo Trail e Cuckoo Trail

a in

g g m t ton Lane S

in Road a Polegate th access points access points Sa O Station

y etch er e la iv WC Fl n d d r Port Ro On Fletching Road there is an entrance to a L Bypass A27 D h f Hig S o a a tre ad n e et R N kl d WC e Shinewater Park. Follow the path and the NCN e Sa a a P n v y o O o e ro rl R R t a D Route 21 signs link you to the Cuckoo Trail at Polegate. n m g

d a n e e i

h l g n R ls l d a o i R a i L a a r d H D b e tt Route from Hampden Park re o T L y a Station to Cycle Route B d A2270 pton R e M ram v o B Hampden ro u D n 7 To Polegate ge t R 2 id fi – Cycle racks br e A t Hampden l t d Lo App town centre and Park Stn R tation WC Polegate Park d S P railway station Hampden Park 3 miles Polegate Can you spot the Cuckoo connection? – Wildlife and nature along the Trail The Cuckoo Trail provides a wildlife corridor through exposed perch. It nests in dense cover such as thorn a rich and varied landscape, from the High Weald, bushes and may unwittingly play host to a Cuckoo. down the Cuckmere Valley and into the fringes of the Orange Tip The Orange Tip butterfly starts life as a The Levels. Conservation of wildlife is one of bright orange egg. This deters other butterflies from the aims of the Cuckoo Trail. laying eggs on the same plant. Only the male butterfly has an orange tip to the cream wings. Cuckoo Trail Cuckoo A summer visitor. Listen for the distinctive call Lady’s Smock Also known as Cuckoo Flower. For walkers, cyclists and horseriders from April to June. Lays its eggs in the nests of birds Commonly found in damp places along the Trail. The of other species (mainly Dunnock in this area). The pale mauve flowers with four petals appear in spring. young Cuckoo ejects the hosts’ own eggs and The green caterpillars of the Orange Tip butterfly feed demands all the food from the unwitting parents. It mainly on the Cuckoo Flower. is grey with a long tail, usually solitary and flying Lords and Ladies Also known as Cuckoo Pint. Can be with shallow wing beats. Dunnock Like a sparrow but seen for most of the year in shaded areas. The not a sparrow! Commonly seen hopping about on or leaves are arrow-shaped and glossy. The flower starts near the ground along the Trail. Grey-brown with white, turns black then produces a cluster of green darker stripes on its back and a narrow beak. The berries, which go bright orange-red in the autumn Dunnock sings a rolling, warbling song from an (poisonous).