Polegate to Hailsham
If joining at Polegate, by car from the A27 in Polegate there are signs to the Cuckoo Trail Car Park, which is at map reference TQ 583049 (OS Landranger Series No. 199) and will cost you £1 for the whole day (last time I looked!). You need then to cross over the old A27 to join the Trail by Charles Moore Court at map reference TQ 583051. You can't miss it! (Look out for signs to other Sustrans trails that will take you either South to Eastbourne or East towards Hankham).
If joining at Hailsham, by car, aim for the free car park in Hailsham at TQ 589093.
This section of the trail is approximately 2½ miles long and I would describe it as easy. From Polegate the Trail heads North towards Hailsham, initially with a slight descent but it soon becomes a gentle incline. The surface on this section is good, being predominantly tarmac. The trail is mostly lined by trees with fields on both sides. There are a number of lanes and minor roads to cross; all are preceded by barriers which ensure you slow down in time. The trail also now crosses by bridge, the newly built A27 link road. I need to document this properly below - I'll get round to it one day.
Soon after setting off from Polegate, you cross over footpaths to both sides. You then encounter a barrier where you cross a lane, followed quickly by a second barrier where you cross a second lane. These are at refs TQ 584058 and TQ 5840600, respectively.
The trail now opens out and begins its gentle incline before you encounter a third barrier and cross a third lane at TQ 588075. Very soon after this, yet another barrier brings you to cross at a traffic light controlled crossing over the B2104 at TQ 589077.
Similar scenery, terrain and surface takes you now into the outskirts of Hailsham, heralded by a few buildings tucked away behind the trees. As you negotiate another barrier you enter a housing estate where you keep to the path and, at the end of Freshfield Close, the signpost takes you to the right. At the end of Lindfield Drive you are at the end of the housing estate and are facing the picturesque village pond at TQ 591091 where you can cross over the road, rest up and share your sandwiches with the ducks.
Facing the pond from the end of Lindfield Drive, turn left (North) along a quiet back-street for a few hundred yards, past the Railway Tavern and Hailsham Gospel Mission on your right, towards Hailsham. Now turn left into the free car park at ref TQ 589093. This is the end of this section and the start of the Hailsham to Horam section.
Click this bike for the Hailsham to Horam ride.......................
............or this one for the Horam to Heathfield ride.............
Animated cyclist image Copyright Microsoft Design Gallery
Page last updated 09/02/2003