Cuckoo Trail

E Sussex

The Trail, following the line of a former railway which was in use until the 1960s, goes from Heathfield to Hampden Park, via Hailsham and Polegate. It takes in Hellingly and Horam through rolling countryside. South of Hailsham much of the route is suburban or close to busy roads and it is a multi-user trail for walkers, cyclists (National Cycleway 21) and (in part) horse-riders.

Opened in 1880, the Cuckoo Line was the Polegate to Eridge railway, carrying milk, livestock and animal feed as well as passengers. It was named the Cuckoo Line after the tradition that the first cuckoo of spring was heard at Heathfield Fair. Although it was a busy line it eventually closed due to the cuts made by Dr Beeching in 1968.

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Details:

Path Type:	Paths Marked on OS mapping
Waymark:	Cuckoo above named sign
Attributes:	Easy Former Railway Cycle Route
Start:	TQ581215 - Heathfield, E Sussex
Finish:	TQ617026 - Hampden Park, E Sussex
Open Date:	1990
Web Sites:	East Sussex CC - Cuckoo Trail Wealden Do Sussex Walks - Cuckoo Trail

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

External PDF	Cuckoo Trail  (East Sussex County Council  - 2018 )
Guidebook	Walking the disused railways of Sussex  (S B Publications  - 2004 )

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