Cooksbridge Rail to Ramble circular

Enjoy downland views and the winding River Ouse

Path: Uneven, sometimes muddy. Take care crossing roads and the railway line. A number of stiles/gates.
Gradient: Steep incline to Black Cap, one fairly steep descent to Offham.

Getting there

Starts and finishes at Cooksbridge Railway Station.

By bus: There are regular services to Lewes, Offham and Cooksbridge, visit traveline.info/se
By rail: Southern hourly service 7 days a week between London and Eastbourne stops at Cooksbridge and Lewes. Visit nationalrail.co.uk

Mount Harry Beacon

In use between the 16th and 19th centuries, the beacon was lit as part of a south coast defence system, warning local militia of potential invasion. The current brazier was erected to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth in 2002.

Offham Chalk pits

A hive of industrial activity during the 18th and 19th century. Here, the raw chalk of the South Downs and the River Ouse meet and both were part of the great chalk pit and lime industry which has shaped the landscape we see today.

Directions

1. Exit Cooksbridge Railway Station, turn right and immediately right again on the footpath parallel to the railway. Cross the stile into the field and head towards the stile in the roadside hedge. Turn left here and almost immediately right over a stile. Follow the path alongside the hedge.
2. Turn right over a small stream then cross the field to a stile, heading towards farm buildings. Go over two stiles to cross a farm track and then head across a field towards another stile. Turn left here towards the B2116.
3. Turn right passing Picketts to the path through the trees, up wooden steps and along the verge, carefully crossing the road opposite Courthouse Farm. Go through the gate and immediately right along the track, through another gate, turning left and then bearing right, climb steeply to (National Trust) Black Cap.
4. Turn left along the grassy ridge, passing Mount Harry beacon. Go through a gate and bear right down towards a gap in the hedge. With the fence to your right pass through another gate.
5. Keeping the fence on your right, zig zag right and then left (or if you are extending this walk and heading to Lewes, turn right and follow Lewes Rail to Ramble circular points 12 – 20). At the metal gate turn right and follow the path through woods to a kissing gate. Continue to the chalk pits bearing right until you reach the information board overlooking the chalk pit plateau and Lewes.
6. Retrace your steps and turn right down the path, through a kissing gate. Keep right, cross the former chalk pit (Treacle Mines) and follow the sunken path, down past a wooden barrier and over a stile, to reach the A275 and the village of Offham.
7. Turn left and carefully cross the road, turning right with Offham church on the left. Fork right on to a track which winds down through trees. After about 500m turn left through a gate. Continue, going through the gate and under the railway bridge and a further gate to reach the River Ouse.
8. Turn left and follow the embankment to Ivors Lane. Turn left and take the footpath 200m on the right, keeping the hedge on your right. Pass between houses (narrow) and turn left on to Whitfeld Lane until you reach a T-junction with the Drove.
9. Turn right then take the footpath on the left. Walk across the field towards a hedge gap. Continue with the hedge to your right to the railway line.
10. Turn right towards a stile and carefully cross the railway line (stop and look both ways before crossing). Go right to a small bridge over a stream. Continue between houses, cross Malthouse Way and follow the gravel path leading to the main road. Turn right back to Cooksbridge Railway Station.