Hailsham to Horam
This section of the trail is my favourite section; there are less barriers, less people and there's nicer scenery in my opinion. It's approximately 6½ miles long with mostly a gentle climb from South (Hailsham) to North (Horam). I would describe it as easy. The surface on this section is good, being tarmac initially and compacted cinder later. The trail is mostly lined by trees, woods and fields and there are many old bridges (single arch, triple arch) crossing the path of the old railway line.
No bike? No problem! Do this section in reverse, starting at Horam, give the Cuckoo Cycle Centre a call (details below) and arrange to hire your bikes.
If joining at Hailsham by car, aim for the free car park in Hailsham at map reference TQ 589093 (OS Landranger Series No. 199). If you've come by bike from the Polegate to Hailsham section, you'll have just cycled through this car park.
If joining at Horam by car, the car park is also free and is at map ref TQ 578174.
From Hailsham, the Trail heads North towards Horam with, mainly a slight incline and South towards Polegate with, mainly, a slight decline on the Polegate to Hailsham section.
From the car park at Hailsham, head off on a tarmac surface under a subway beneath the A295. Then, shortly, by a barrier, a footpath joins on your right and you follow this along with sports fields to your right, through the ubiquitous barrier into a housing estate. Here, for about 200 yards you are asked to use the estate road, not the path, before turning left onto the trail again, through another barrier.
You then go through a subway under a road and then, soon, another barrier and traffic light crossing which is the A271 at Upper Horsebridge, ref TQ 583112.
This is where this section starts to get really picturesque. In a half mile or so, at TQ 584120 you pass on your left, a house which has been converted from an old station; the platform is clearly visible. In a few yards, as you go under a bridge carrying a lane, it is possible to exit the trail on the left and visit a pub called The Golden Martlet.
Very shortly at Hellingly, CAUTION, there's a short, steepish descent, through barriers, to a lane. In the summer months, there's usually a van selling refreshments parked up here at TQ 585124. By a small weir on your left, a bridge now takes you over a tributary of the River Cuckmere (which carves its way through the downs, through Alfriston and features there on my East from Alfriston ride). I reckon there's trout and chub in there somewhere!
The surface now turns to compacted cinders, still good. Gently climbing, this is a lovely, long , uninterrupted stretch. Watch out for mud where the trees completely overarch the trail. There are plenty of grey squirrels around this area.
You approach Horam via a cutting which dives under a road at ref TQ 582169. Then there's another barrier into, briefly, a housing estate where you cross the road in front and continue almost directly opposite onto a path past some more houses and garages until you see the sign for the cuckoo trail in front of you. Going straight on here would take you onto the Horam to Heathfield section.
Turning left here takes you towards the free car park at TQ 578174 where there's a public (automatic) toilet. At the car park, go up the hill if you wish to explore Horam itself, which has public telephone boxes, the Horam Inn (Thai cuisine a speciality), village stores, cafe and fish and chips. Also in Horam can be found the famous Sussex cider makers, Merrydown PLC (open daily with an off-licence, for wobbly riding!) and Horam Manor Farm (open daily, behind Merrydown) which has tea rooms, craft workshops, nature walk, children's farm, Sussex farm museum, fishing, riding and camping.
Click on this bike for the Polegate to Hailsham ride.................
............or this one for the Horam to Heathfield ride.............
Animated cyclist image Copyright Microsoft Design Gallery
Page last updated 08/02/2003