Off the Circular Cycle Rides Welcome to Circular Cycle Rides – Off the account when planning your day. Cuckoo Trail, an opportunity to explore by We recommend that you use this guide in conjunction with OS Landranger 199; 1:50000, (or you will need bike the varied landscape and interesting four of the 1:25000 Explorer maps). history of the heart of East . Please note that there is no specific waymarking of the rides on the ground, although some of the rides How to use this guide do follow the National Cycle Network (NCN) for some There is a map for each ride, with notes and sections. Look out for route 2 and route 21 NCN directional tips marked on it. The rides are circular so waymarks. can be ridden in either direction, but a recommended direction is shown. Some rides overlap so you can Getting there link them up to make longer rides if you wish to be railway station has good regular services to more energetic. Short cuts are also shown for those , and and is just a quarter who have bitten off more than they can chew! The of a mile from the Cuckoo Trail. station is 21/2 rides are mainly on-road with some off-road sections, miles from on Ride 3, and Stonegate generally along bridleways with a good surface; in station is 1 mile from Ride 4. Please take advantage winter these sections may not be suitable and of this and leave your car at home. Bikes are carried alternative on road routes are recommended. free on trains throughout the Southern region (at the Approximate distances and estimated time for each time of writing). ride are shown, but weather, fitness, speed, map reading ability and puncture stops must be taken into Cycle hire Bikes are available for hire from Cuckmere Cycle Company, Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford: telephone 01323 870310. They also hire out rear cycle carriers for cars.

Cycle shops Parts, accessories and repairs available from Cycle Revival, Rd, Heathfield 01435 866118, M & S Accessories George St, Hailsham 01323 845409 and Kontour Cycles, Station Rd, Polegate 01323 482368 Will I make it? Public Rights of Way The rides are graded Easy, Moderate and Hilly. They have Bridleways (often waymarked in blue) can be been chosen to use safer, quieter roads as far as possible used by walkers, horseriders and cyclists but there are certain sections and crossings where extreme caution is required. These are indicated on the maps by a Byways (often waymarked in red) can be used red warning triangle It may be appropriate to get off be used by walkers, horseriders, cyclists and your bike and use the footway where available. motor vehicles Use of narrow country lanes – cyclists are advised to ride Footpaths (often waymarked in yellow) can be in single file, plan the ride to avoid poor light or bad used by walkers, but cycling is NOT allowed weather, wear conspicuous clothing and be prepared to avoid oncoming motorists. We recommend that an adult © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 100019601. 2008 accompanies children under 16.

Good cycling code • Wear bright clothing • Wear a helmet • Do not race and warn of your approach Ride 3 • Be courteous and considerate to others Ride 4 • Be self-sufficient and make sure your bike is safe to ride Heathfield • Off-road give way to walkers and horse riders • Follow the country code

Can I use a “road” bike on the rides? Rides 1 & 2 C The off-road sections along Ogg’s Lane and Hempstead u c

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Rides 3, 4 & 5 Ride 2 a i Some off-road sections that are not suitable for road bikes l have an alternative on-road route (the off-road sections are typical bridleways with soft or loose ground in places). Hailsham

Ride 6 Ride 1

Polegate Ride 1 – Abbots Wood and Arlington To start the ride, leave the Cuckoo Trail at Hawks Road bridge. Turn right at top of ramp, then straight on at mini roundabout into Hempstead Lane.

Abbots Wood (Forestry Commission) Berwick Church – has murals by the 360 hectares of mixed woodland The peaceful area surrounding Bloomsbury Set. gifted by Henry I to Arlington Reservoir has been and once overseen by the Abbott managed with conservation in mind Drusillas Park – () (hence its name). Ancient ditches since it was built 30 years ago. It is Award-winning and highly acclaimed and banks can still be seen. The now an award winning Local Nature Drusillas is widely regarded as the coppice areas support rare dormice Reserve. Its tranquillity is preserved best small zoo in Britain. A fun day and pearl-bordered fritillaries. Cycling by allowing only fishing, walking, out for all the family with low-level is permitted on all surfaced paths birdwatching and picnicking as viewing and disabled access through the wood. There is a picnic recreational activities. The 4km throughout. Zoolympics trail, Panning area, lake and two waymarked Osprey Trail around the perimeter for gold, Thomas & Friends™ train walks. has waymarkers providing facts and rides, Wacky Workshop, Jungle information about the surrounding Adventure Golf and Adventure Arlington Bluebell Walk & Farm Trail habitat and wildlife. Playgrounds. Tel: 01323 874100. Only open during the Bluebell Admission charge. flowering season – normally end Charleston Farmhouse (between April to mid May. There are eight and ) English Wine Centre – (Alfriston) different walks over three farms and Home of Vanessa Bell (sister to Historic Barn and Wine Museum and ancient woods to enjoy. See the Virginia Woolf) and Duncan Grant shop stocking a large range of cows milked from 3–5pm daily. Light from 1916 until Grant’s death in English wine, fruit wines and ciders. refreshments available. Tel: 01323 1978. This farmhouse was frequented Also sells ‘Taste of Sussex’ regional 485152. Admission charge. by their friends, who came to be produce. Tastings available. known as The Bloomsbury Set. Tel: 01323 870164. Free admission. Arlington Church These artists, writers and Very old church dating from Saxon intellectuals created their own Old Loom Mill times, with pieces of a Roman ceramics and textiles and decorated See Ride 6. building in the walls. Excavated the farmhouse with their own items on display inside. Remains of designs, influenced by Italian fresco sunken village site immediately painting and post-impressionist art. adjacent to west. Tel: 01323 811265. Admission charge.

Arlington Reservoir A22 Ride 1 Leave the trail at Hawks Road bridge. Turn right at top of 18 miles (about 3 hours) – Easy 67 2 ramp, straight on at A mini roundabout into Hempstead Lane.

The Lamb The off-road sections along Ogg’s Lane and Hailsham Hempstead Lane can Ripe be muddy. Yew Tree Inn Upper e n Dicker a L d Michelham a te Chalvington Priory ps m L e a H n g ty Layby e Wickstreet P La

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o Arlington Farm o e k Reservoir Arlington Trail n c a u Church L C t P Abbots s Turn left into Arlington o Barley Wood P bridleway at in Mow WC b farm WC o R Berwick B 21 Stn 04 Old Loom Selmeston A22 To Berwick Mill Charleston Inn Yew Tree 2 Farmhouse Com Og mon Lan Turn right at Inn g e 's farm crossing La Dismount and ne use pavement towards 2 Lakeside Farm Follow 2 A27 Pol to egate by-p Cuckoo Trail ass

Berwick Polegate Church English Wine A27 WC Centre Polegate Drusillas Stn P South Zoo Park Route of Ride Attraction Off-road section Toilets Downs Alternative route WC 2 National Cycle Network (NCN) Tourist Shop Information Ride follows NCN Route P Car park Map not drawn to scale Caution Tea shop Church © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 100019601. 2008 Ride 2 – and Low Leave the Cuckoo Trail at Horam High Street. The ride passes through some lovely villages (with excellent !) and undulating hills between and Horam.

Horam Manor Farm Museum houses fascinating Michelham Priory Chiddingly Church farming bygones. Tearoom, horse ’s longest water-filled moat Marvellous memorial to the Jefferay riding, fishing and four marked nature guarded by a 14th-century gatehouse family, important nationally for its trails between 1 and 2.5 miles. encloses the remains of an Augustinian quality of carving and in a unique Tents/caravans welcome, 90 pitches. Priory. The Priory incorporates a Tudor style. 130 feet high stone spire said Open March 1st to October 31st. mansion, gardens, working watermill, to be the best in Wealden. Tel: 01435 813662. Admission charge. physic herb and cloister gardens, smithy, rope museum and an Mohair Centre – (Brickfield Farm, Hidden Spring Vineyard – (Horam) Elizabethan Great Barn. Special events Laughton Road, Golden Cross) Organic orchard walk and vineyard and children’s workshops. Restaurant. Children’s farm with Angora goats shop. Picnics welcome. Saturdays Open Easter to October Wed – Sun and other farm animals. There is a only April to September. Caravan from 10.30 am. Tel: 01323 844224. holiday club and adult craft classes. pitches. Tel: 01435 812640. Admission charge. Tel: 07901 595789 Free admission.

Michelham Priory

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0 Spring 2 Leave the Trail 2 B at Horam High Horam Street. Ride 2 Inn Horam P Horam 18 miles (about 3 hours) – Moderate Manor WC

Route of Ride Dismount and use Off-road section pavement Alternative route C 2 National Cycle Network (NCN) u c k Ride follows NCN Route o May o

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Golden © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 100019601. 2008 All rights reserved. copyright. © Crown B2124 Cross Mohair Centre The Golden Cross P A22

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Arlington Arlington Reservoir Ride 3 – Wilderness Wood and High Weald Leave the Cuckoo Trail at Heathfield car park. The High Weald rides are considerably hillier than the Low Weald. This ride passes through leafy lanes and right past two woods open to the public.

Selwyns Wood – , 11 hectares Follow a sign at the entrance to the Wilderness Wood – (Hadlow Down) track off Fir Grove Road, (leave bikes 25 hectares of beautiful working here as only access on foot is woodland with walking trails, permitted). At this nature reserve exhibition, childrens’ play area, shop much of the woodland is sweet & teas. Tel: 01825 830509. Admission chestnut coppice, typical of East charged to woodland. Sussex. In open areas, acid soil loving flowers including heather, tormentil, Cabbages and Kings – (Hadlow Down) goldenrod and broom can be found. Contemporary garden developed by Mayfield Areas of oak, hazel, hornbeam and designer Ryl Nowell to demonstrate This charming village is set in the cherry were planted after the 1987 the art of garden design and to beautiful High Weald and is one of storm; here dormice scamper through realise the full potential of their own the most ancient in Sussex. It offers the understorey looking for gardens. Tel: 01825 830552. a good range of tearooms, shops honeysuckle – a favourite food. Admission charge. and pubs.

Lane near Maynard’s Green Rose & Crown Mayfield Carpenters Arms Ride 3 Fir Toll Close Middle House Hotel oad 15 miles (about 3 hours) – Hilly Fir Toll R 21

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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 100019601. 2008 All rights reserved. copyright. © Crown n e Lane

Horam

Map not drawn to scale Ride 4 – Brightling and High Weald Hills Leave the Cuckoo Trail at Heathfield car park. The longest of our rides takes you along some lovely long narrow lanes. But beware as the route is hilly and there are no pubs or shops on the section between Heathfield and .

Brightling Needle One of Fuller’s follies, constructed Heathfield Town (Market Charter during the early 19 Century by John granted by Edward II in 1316) Fuller, squire of Brightling. The Old Heathfield was the original Needle is 65 feet high and stands location of the village, which became at one of the highest points in East well known in 16th and 17th Sussex at 646 feet above sea level. centuries for its iron industry. The It is believed it was built to new town developed with the celebrate Wellington’s victory over railway in the 19th century. Banks, Napoleon in 1815. As the Needle is shops, antiquities, supermarkets, on private land, please view only tearooms, public houses and from the roadside. restaurants are all available. Twice- weekly market Tuesday and Hidden Spring Vineyard – (Horam) Saturday. Cuckoo Fair (April), Tour de Organic orchard walk and vineyard Heathfield Cycle event (June/July) and shop. Picnics welcome. Saturdays Le Marche (the Anglo-French street only April to September. Caravan market August Bank Holiday pitches. Tel: 01435 812640. Monday). Free admission.

Mayfield Church – 13th to 15th See Ride 3. century. Ironwork by and monument to Richard Woodman, later burnt at Bateman’s – (Burwash) the stake at . Excellent Home of writer Rudyard Kipling, this Squire’s Pew on pillars above rest of 17th century Ironmaster’s house church. contains many manuscripts and Sugar Loaf – Another of Fuller’s personal possessions of the author. follies. Reputedly built one night to A restored watermill sits at the win a drunken wager that Fuller bottom of the beautiful garden. Light could see Dallington church from refreshments available. Tel: 01435 his lawn, the Sugar Loaf replicates 882302. Admission charge. the spire of the church. The Sugar Loaf, Brightling London, Tunbridge Wells Stonegate Stn Ride 4 24 miles (about 5 hours) – Hilly

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Route of Ride Attraction Off-road section Pub WC Toilets Heathfield Alternative route Brightling 2 Needle National Cycle Network (NCN) Tourist Shop Information P Ride follows NCN Route Heathfield P Car park Leisure Caution Tea shop Centre Church © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 100019601. 2008 l i a Old r B2 T 0 Heathfield 96

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ne Horse Nettlesworth La e and The Maynards Place nac Swan Fur Groom Green Rushlake Dallington Warbleton Warbleton Green Church Brewers Hidden Arms Spring Vines Old Cross Churches pump Green Warble Bins in Tun WC Horam Farm Map not drawn to scale Ride 5 – and Leave the Cuckoo Trail at Horebeech Lane, Horam. This ride follows some lovely lanes to Herstmonceux with its castle and Science Centre.

Herstmonceux trug makers – View the craftsmen at work making these famous trugs. Unique to Sussex, these unusual boat shaped baskets come in a range of designs. The workshops are usually open for hands-on approach puts the viewing. The Truggery tel: 01323 emphasis on doing and finding out 832314. Herstmonceux Castle for yourself and is one of the This breathtaking 15th-century moated country’s leading science centres. It Park Wood – () castle is set within 500 acres of is located in the grounds of A peaceful, semi-natural woodland parkland and gardens (including an Herstmonceux Castle and is the covering 60 hectares, this beautiful Elizabethan Garden) and is ideal for former home of the wood offers something of interest all picnics and woodland walks. Gift Observatory. Holiday and half-term year round: bluebells in the spring, shop and tearooms. Tel: 01323 activities for children and viewing a sheltered haven in the summer 833816. Open April to November. evenings. Tel: 01323 832731. Open and a feast of fungi in the autumn. Admission charge. daily. Admission charge. Woodland walks. Tel: 01273 482670.

Observatory Science Centre Herstmonceux church – Impressive Hellingly Church – Large church on With more than 100 indoor and church with splendid views through circular ancient mound towering over outdoor exhibits, Herstmonceux’s trees to Levels. surroundings. Fine roof.

View from Tilley Lane Ride 5 19 miles (about 3 hours) – Moderate

Horam WC Route of Ride Attraction Ho Pub re Off-road section b Toilets e WC e Alternative route c h 2 National Cycle Network (NCN) Tourist L Shop a Information n e Ride follows NCN Route e n a all L P Car park Leave the trail Marle den H w Caution Tea shop at Horebeech Green Co Church Lane Bridleway to North Corner © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 100019601. 2008 C u H Merrie c a k m Harriers o m o er L T a r ne a White i l Horse Cowbeech

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i t A271 e k Caution along c i A271 r main road C Golden Cross Science Church Centre Ro a Hailsham d Herstmonceux Castle Follow the from the old car park beyond the turn off to the Off-road section castle. A bridleway with steps – not with steps and rough suitable for in places can be road bikes. followed for 1km to the church where you rejoin the road. P Ride 6 – Pevensey and the Levels Leave the Cuckoo Trail at Station Road, Hellingly. This ride crosses the levels to Pevensey where the castle is well worth a visit.

Hailsham Town (Market Charter granted by Henry III in 1252) Small, prosperous market town famous for its rope industry. Farmers Remains of a large Roman Saxon produce and craft market held on shore fort within which the Normans 2nd Saturday of each month. built a castle. Extensive remains Livestock Market every Monday & including the towers, dungeon, keep Tuesday 9am-1pm. (One of the few and chapel remain. Special events are remaining livestock markets in the organised in the summer. south). General market Fridays. All Tel: 01323 762604. Free admission major banks and building societies, except to the Keep. shops, public houses, tearooms. Award winning Hailsham Old This area was formed by a build up of Old Loom Mill – Hailsham Pavilion, restored cinema and shingle across a wide bay, which was Situated on the B2104 just outside theatre. reclaimed in the Middle Ages to create Hailsham and on the Cuckoo Trail a broad plain of pasture land with midway between Hailsham and Freedom Leisure Centre – Hailsham dykes and isolated farms. Now an Polegate, the mill offers wool and Situated near the town centre, the internationally important wetland for material for sale all year round. leisure centre offers a variety of wildlife. There is also a craft hall. Teashop activities including leisure pool and open seven days 10-4.30. waterslide, aerobics classes, bowling, Old Mint House Tel: 01323 848007. soft play and fitness centre. There A 14th-century mint house, on the site are also activities for children of all of which coins were minted as long Chilley Farm, Farm Shop – Rickney. ages and a holiday club. ago as 1076. Now an antiques show- See the pigs, lambs and wildfowl. Tel: 01323 846755. room. Open all year Mon-Fri 9.30-5. Local produce and cafe. Toilets. Sat 10.30-3.30. Tel: 01323 762337. Open Tues-Sat 10-4, Sun 10-1. Hellingly Church and Park Wood – Guided tours. Admission charge. Tel 01323 768836. see route 5.

Pevensey Castle Ride 6 19 miles (about 3 hours) – Easy Route of Ride Off-road section Hellingly Alternative route Hellingly 2 National Cycle Network (NCN) Church Park Wood Ride follows NCN Route

P Hospital Caution N ew Dismount and Ro ad use pavement Attraction Pub WC Toilets A271 Magham Tourist Shop Down Information Hailsham P Car park Tea shop Church © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 100019601. 2008 All rights reserved. copyright. © Crown

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Map not drawn to scale The Smugglers The Royal Oak & Castle The Pevensey Castle Priory Court Hotel If you would like our information in large print, in braille, on audio tape or in another language, please contact 01273 481654 or visit eastsussex.gov.uk

Cuckoo Trail Ranger 01273 481637 [email protected] Angel Design 01797 321380 Angel Design View from Wood’s Corner