Cuckoo Trail
Since 1990, the Cuckoo Trail has been a leisure route used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
The 11 mile trail runs from Polegate to Heathfield and has a 3 mile extension to Shinewater Park, Eastbourne.
It passes through some of the districts most beautiful countryside and being mainly off-road it is suitable and safe for people of all ages and abilities.
The slight gradients and sloped access points make the Trail available to most mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
Wealden District Council is working with Resources for Change to better understand who visits the Cuckoo Trail and how user experience can be improved.
If you have used the Heathfield to Polegate section of the trail in the last two years, you can help the Council to shape future activities and improvements by completing this short survey.
Did you know…
Opened in 1880, the Cuckoo Line was the Polegate to Eridge railway built by the London Brighton and South Coast Railway to prevent its rival, the South Eastern Railway, accessing the Eastbourne traffic. It was named the Cuckoo Line after the tradition that the first cuckoo of spring was always heard at the Heathfield Fair. In time it settled down to become a country railway carrying milk, coal, livestock and timber as well as passengers.
What can you find along the Cuckoo Trail in October?
The damper autumn weather encourages the fruiting bodies of fungi to show themselves. Look out for the common earthball, which looks like a warty potato and the fly agaric, the classic red and white “toadstool” appearing near birch trees. You can also see large horizontal bracket fungi growing above ground level on tree trunks.
Are you up to the challenge?
Whether you walk, cycle, ride for scoot along the trail – everyone is welcome to join the challenge.
Fill in the log book and once you have completed 100 miles we will send you your challenge certificate.
Cuckoo Trail Map
Explore the map! Click on one of the icons below to find out more about the Cuckoo Trail.
Further information
For more information on the cuckoo trail users code, how to get to the cuckoo trail and much more, please go to the Wealden District Council website or the East Sussex County Council website.
The district is fortunate to have a further off-road trail, the ‘Forest Way Country Park’ running though the north of the district.
The Forest Way is situated in the heart of the beautiful East Sussex countryside. It is a 10-mile flat, surfaced track running along the entire length of the Park, providing easy access for disabled users and a great place for young children to learn to cycle in a traffic-free environment.
It runs from East Grinstead, though Forest Row to Groombridge and is used for walking, cycling, horse riding and the quiet enjoyment of the countryside.
For further information on the Forest Way Country Park visit:
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/discover-east-sussex/countryside-sites/forestway/