Cuckmere Haven

The first occupiers of the locality was prehistoric man; flint objects such as arrow heads and axes have been found; At about 3,500 BC, a more advanced stone age man started to arrive on the coasts of south east England. Bringing agriculture to the Cuckmere Valley, deforestation happened in the area around Cuckmere Haven, radically changing the areas appearance.

By AD 1000 Exceat village had developed, and was become a thriving settlement, being noted in the Doomsday book; by the 1500s the village was greatly reduced, due to the Black Death and sheep farming on the downs. Smuggling was a bit activity along the coasts of southern England, and Cuckmere haven was no exception, In 1840 the canalised section of the river was constructed by prisoners at Lewes Prison to reduce flooding.

The last war involved Cuckmere Haven to a far greater degree than during any previous outbreaks of hostility. During the early part of the war, and extensive network of lights was laid out within the valley. The purpose of these was to give German bomber crews the illusion that they were over the port of Newhaven, around 6 miles (10 km) westwards. Later on pillboxes were constructed (and can still be seen) in the valley to repel any German invasion.

From London Victoria station Take the London – Eastbourne train and change at Lewes for the Seaford train. At Seaford, come out of the station and the bus stop is on the opposite side of the road on the left (next to ‘Flowers’ furniture shop). Take the 12, 12A or 13 bus to Exceat. Or, take the train all the way to Eastbourne, then take the bus from Terminus Road.

From Brighton Take the train to Lewes, then proceed as above or take the 12, 12A or 13 bus from Brighton (the train may be marginally quicker - but more expensive, fares by bus should be about £4 return)

From Eastbourne Take the 12, 12A or 13 bus from the bus stops on Terminus Road (around £3 return), which are outside the Arndale Centre, and just down the road from the train station.

The 13 bus runs on Sundays and Public Holidays only.

Cuckmere Haven is situated on the A259 between Seaford and Eastbourne. From Eastbourne, follow signs for Seaford (A259), and follow the road over the Downs through East Dean down to Cuckmere Haven; but be aware that there can be long queues down to the Haven from the Eastbourne side of the road, due to a one-lane bridge across the river, which gives priority to traffic from the Seaford side. From Seaford, follow signs for Eastbourne (A259), heading east out of the town, down into the valley.

• 🌍 Seven Sisters Country Park car park (Follow the directions above, the car park is on the Eastbourne side of the road bridge, and is on the south side of the road), ☏ +44 345 60 80 193 (number for booking for coaches). Locked overnight and exact times vary. Car for 2 hours: £3; Car for whole day: £4. (updated Dec 2016)
• 🌍 Cuckmere Inn car park (Follow the directions above, the car park is on the Seaford side of the road bridge, and is just on the start of bridge on this side), ☏ +44 1323 892247. Car park owned and operated by the pub here; no charge for parking, and no barriers or gates. There's also three separate levels for parking Free parking. (updated Dec 2016)
• 🌍 Friston Forest car park (Follow directions above, but head for the Eastbourne side of the bridge, and turn onto Litlington Road by the barns on the north side of the road, and continue along this road, keeping left, then turn right into the car park), ☏ +44 300 067 4464. 8AM-dusk. This is further away from the Haven than the other two car parks, but is in the nearby Friston Forest, so you could spend time there after. For up to: 2 hours: £2.30; 4 hours £3.50; all day: £4.60. (updated Dec 2016)

There are two signed walking trails at the park:

• Park Trail is marked with purple arrowed numbered posts and is 5 km (3 miles) long.
• Habitat Trail is marked by green arrowed posts and is a 7 km (5 miles) circular trail around the perimeter of the Park.

Both trails begin at the gate opposite the Visitor Centre (opposite the car park and bus stop). After wet weather the path can get muddy and you are advised to wear stout footwear also mobile phones have a tendency to lose signal (although it depends on network)

To purchase a map showing these routes use the Visitor Centre.

There is also an 'easy access trail' for 2 km along the valley floor to the shingle beach and mouth of the river, it provides a view of Seaford Head and is suitable for people with impaired mobility (quite how they would see the view), wheelchairs, mobility scooters and push chairs.

If you wish, you can also walk inland along the river along an unmarked path. To access this route, walk along the road to the side of the bridge furthest from the pub and furthest from the sea, here, there is a gate which leads to a high river bank. You can follow this along the river all the way to the Plough and Harrow Pub in Litlington. This walk is roughly 3.6 km (2¼ miles) long.

• Cycling. There is a concrete track which offers safe and easy access to the beach and amazing views of the Seven Sisters Cliffs. The path is flat and suitable for all ages and abilities. The Friston Forest, a 1,700 acres (690 hectares) area easily accessible from the park offers a number of trails and routes from a pleasant family ride to downhill biking. Information about these routes can be found at the Cuckmere Cycle Hire shop, which is located next to the Visitor Centre. The park can be easily reached by the National Cycle Network. (updated Sep 2017)
• Bird watching. With a wide variety of different habitats packed into this special 280 hectares (690 acres) site, there are some great year round birding opportunities, weather permitting! more information is available here. (updated Sep 2017)
• 🌍 Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club, ☏ +44 1323 491289. If you'd rather use the famed meanders for having a look around, the Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club has instructors and canoes. Hire is for groups who pre book only, although occasionally there are days when people can turn up and just have a go. You can also get annual membership, meaning you can use the club's facilities at any time in that year. Adult annual membership and equipment hire: £90. (updated Dec 2016)
• If you have your own canoe, you can use the meanders for canoeing at any time. However, anyone accessing the meanders by canoe must use the dedicated slipway - this is the only permitted entry and exit point. The banks of the meanders are quite fragile and nesting birds could be disturbed.
• 🌍 Seven Sisters Sheep Centre, Gilberts Drive, East Dean, BN20 0AA, ☏ +44 1323 423302, fax: +44 1323 423302, enquiry@sheepcentre.co.uk. Daily 10:30AM-5PM; closed 3 May to 1 July. Walk, bus (with the 13X), cycle or drive (could try canoeing if you're up for it) up to the Seven Sisters Sheep Centre. It offers one of the largest collections of sheep in the world with over 40 different breeds of sheep with many older breeds no longer seen on modern farms. In the spring, lambing takes place so you may be lucky enough to see a lamb being born (March to May) and between July and September, shearing takes place. Adult: £6; OAP: £5.50; Child: £5; Family: £21 (They only accept cash or cheques). (updated Dec 2016)
• Fossil hunting. The Chalk Cliffs of the Seven Sisters provide a fairly rich hunting ground for fossils, but please be aware there have been rock falls - it is advisable to wear glasses and maybe even hard hats. Coastal erosion is a big problem in this area, so chopping off vast swathes of the cliff isn't a great idea. However, fossilised ammonites, sea urchins and gastropods can be found. (updated Sep 2017)

• Foxhole Campsite and Camping Barn, ☏ +44 345 60 80 193, countrysidemanagement@eastsussex.gov.uk. 1 April-31 October. These are essentially backpackers' accommodation offering space for 20 small tents and sleeping up to 35 people in a traditional Sussex barn. It isn't for the use of the general public though, and can only be used for "pre-arranged educational groups and events". You need to contact the County Council to make a reservation and to check dates. If you stay here, you must be over 21, or have someone over 21 in your group. Campsite: Adults: £5; Under 18s: £4; Camping barn: Adults: £6; Under 18s: £5. (updated Dec 2016)