Enjoy beautiful Sussex countryside on this trail from the source to the sea. You'll experience the changing landscape, from the wooded valleys of the Weald to the tidal estuary and chalk cliffs of Seaford Head, as you walk this delightful gentle trail.

Detailed information

	Detailed itinerary
	Dates and prices
	Average temperatures

Detailed itinerary

42 miles with 6½ to 11 miles and up to 300ft of ascent in a day.

Day 1: arrival day.

Day 2: Lower Beeding to Staplefield Common
Distance: 7 miles with 300 feet of ascent
The first day meanders through mixed but typical High Wealden scenery: woodland, fields and millponds. Although today is the most undulating section of the entire trail the rewards are for all to see.

Our day and the Sussex Ouse Valley Way begin at the village hall in Lower Beeding and we immediately enter the beautiful woodland bordering Leonardslee Gardens, famous for its rhododendrons and wallabies!

The infant Ouse is first encountered after about two-and-a-half miles before passing through the pretty village of Slaugham, once a centre of the Wealden iron industry and with a few surprises awaiting the visitor.

Time will be spent exploring the hidden gems of the village before the walk gently ascends on an estate road to the village of Handcross. The South Downs can be seen far away to the south on this section of the walk. The woodlands of Nymans Gardens (National Trust) are the next part of the day's journey before the route emerges onto the village green at Staplefield Common at the end of day one.

Day 3: Staplefield Common to Freshfield
Distance: 11 miles with 300 feet of ascent
With a feeling of remoteness the second day follows the maturing Ouse and its valley across farmland and through woodland for most of this, our longest day.

Leaving Staplefield Common the route descends to cross the river and begin a journey that crosses remote farms and passes through woodland. The undoubted highlight of the morning is the stunning Ouse Valley Viaduct (recently voted one of the top seven man-made wonders of Sussex), and under which the walk passes – a memorable experience.

The only village encountered during the day is Lindfield, more than once voted ‘best kept village in Sussex'. Continuing southeast during the afternoon the walk meets up with the Ouse again on arrival at Freshfield and the end of our longest day.

Day 4: Freshfield to Barcombe Mills
Distance: 9½ miles with 200 feet of ascent
A day when the fast-maturing river is followed south for much of the afternoon as the Low Weald is reached and the journey passes the halfway point.

Immediately the walk enters the beautiful Wapsbourne woods, where coppicing can once again be witnessed.

Wapsbourne Manor is passed and the whistles and sounds of a steam train will be heard before the Bluebell Railway at Sheffield Park is encountered. The route through the village of Newick takes us along quiet country lanes before crossing farmland to the Ouse again. For the remaining part of the day's journey the path is rarely far from the river, and it ends at Barcombe Mills.

Day 5: free day to explore or walk independently.

Day 6: Barcombe Mills to Rodmell
Distance: 8 miles with 65 feet of ascent
For much of today the Ouse is very close at hand and becomes tidal soon after leaving Barcombe Mills. The route passes through the ancient town of Lewes.

Continuing the journey at Barcombe Mills, known for its industrial past and nicknamed ‘pill-box alley' during Word War Two, the route follows closely the now tidal and mature Ouse into and through the heart of ancient Lewes, the only town on the river. It is at this point that the South Downs, seen so many miles ago at Slaugham on day one, are breached and most imposing is the Caburn, an ancient hill fort dominating the river to the east. Rodmell and Monks House, the home of Virginia Woolf at the time of her tragic suicide, is reached during a slight deviation away from the riverbanks, and the day ends here.

Day 7: Rodmell to Seaford Head
Distance: 6½ miles with 165 feet of ascent
The journey's end is reached, but not until the contrast of quiet peaceful river communities and a busy working seaport is experienced.

Leaving Rodmell the route joins the South Downs Way, very briefly passing through picturesque Southease where the river is rejoined. Leaving the banks again at Piddinghoe the route sweeps up onto the Downs for one final view of the river and back towards Lewes before continuing along the riverside path into the busy working port of Newhaven.

The Ouse emerges into the English Channel at this point but the walk chooses to continue along the original route once taken by the river, eastwards towards Seaford. The fascinating ruins of the Tide Mills and other historic uses of this stretch of shingle beach are witnessed before the end of the walk and the sea is reached at the heart of Seaford Bay.

Day 8: departure day.

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Dates and prices

Premium single & twin room supplement: £5 per person, per night

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Average temperatures

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