Ouse Valley circular
By Ben Perkins
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A short detour along an old toll road will lead you Barcombe Mills, where the Ouse flows in three separate waterways over small weirs
This is a level walk along field paths in the Ouse Valley to the north-east of Lewes. Starting from the village of Ringmer, it passes through a comparatively featureless landscape to visit Barcombe Mills, a delightful spot which can be reached by a short detour from the main circuit.
1. Start the walk along North Road, on the south-east side of the village green, walking away from the B2192. At the corner of the green turn right along Bishops Lane and shortly go left along Tile Kiln. A few yards after this cul-de-sac leads into a concrete drive, go right over a stile and follow a trodden path, indicated by a yellow arrow, which heads out across a field, aiming to the right of a building almost hidden behind a high hedge.
Pass to the right of this building, an open-sided barn, and maintain direction across the corner of the next field. Go through a wide gap in a hedge where there is a broken stile and veer half-left across the middle of a large arable field.
On the other side of the field, go over a stile and ahead, diverging gradually from the hedge on your left. Cross a wide culvert over a small stream, go forward for 40 yards to pass through a swing gate and continue beside a right-hand hedge.
In the field corner follow the field edge round to the left and after another 30 yards go right through another swing gate and along a short enclosed path to join Broyle Lane. Turn left.
2. A few yards after passing road speed de-restriction signs, go left over a stile, forward along a right field edge to a second stile and then half-right across the middle of a field to a third stile. A path continues through a small wood to a fourth stile and on along a left field edge to join a lane.
Follow the metalled access drive opposite, which beyond a cottage called Swing Gate, narrows to a hedged path. On entering a more open area of trees, where the path divides, keep straight on, ignoring a right fork. Shortly leave the wooded area and continue along a left field edge.
Just short of the point where the hedge on your left turns away to the left, go half-right on a faint, unfenced path, passing to the left of a somewhat improbably situated trig point.
On the other side of the field, seek out a stile hidden in the hedge ahead. Go forward, soon veering left to the next stile, now in sight. Continue, passing to the right of a pond. When opposite the far end of the pond, go right over a stile and go half-left across a meadow to a second stile leading out to the A26.
Distance/time:Five miles taking three hours.
By car: Start from Ringmer on the B2192 about three miles north-east of Lewes. Park in a small parking bay on the south-east side of the large village green and cricket ground at GR449126. If full, there should be room to park elswhere around the green
By public transport: Half-hourly weekday bus service to Ringmer from Brighton and Lewes, two-hourly on Sundays.
What's underfoot: Level walking along field paths which may be muddy in places.
Thirsty work: Pubs at Ringmer; Cock Inn at point 5.
So you don't get lost: OS Explorer 122.
3. Cross this busy road and turn left along the wide grass verge. After a few yards, go right along the access into a farm area. Go forward through two gates and on along a left field edge.
In the field corner cross a plank bridge and stile, head squarely across a field to a gate in a hedge and then bear left to join and follow a right-hand fence as it curves to the right.
In the field corner, join and follow the drive from Barcombe Water Treatment Works. After less than 100 yards, go right through an iron swing gate and forward across a field, walking parallel to a meandering stream, a little way away to your right.
Walk out through a summeronly parking area to join a road.
To visit Barcombe Mills, turn right and, after a few yards, go right again along an old toll road which crosses the Ouse, which at this point flows in three separate waterways which tumble down picturesquely over a series of small weirs and fish ladders. Return the same way.
4. To continue the walk, turn left along the road from the car park entrance. After about 200 yards, turn right over a plank bridge and stile and forward across a field, aiming for a power pole where, beyond another stile and a wicket gate, you should follow a left field edge.
After 100 yards, go left over a plank bridge and stile. Now head half-right across the corner of a field to the next stile, in sight to the left of a gate. Now follow a path, between fence and hedge, out to a lane and turn left.
After a little over 100 yards go right over a plank bridge and stile, forward to a second stile and on in the same direction across three more fields, punctuated by stiles to join a loop of the old A26 about 100 yards to the right of the Cock Inn. Turn right.
5. About 60 yards short of the junction of the new and the old roads, turn left along a trodden path across rough ground between the two roads. Cross the A26 and go over a stile opposite.
Now go ahead along the left edge of two fields and straight on across a third field to join a lane.
Turn right through the tiny settlement of Norlington.
After about 200 yards, go left through a gap in a hedge and follow the direction of a finger post across the corner of a field to a stile. Over the stile, follow a trodden path across rough grass, joining and following a left-hand fence to a stile and plank bridge in the field corner.
Cross another field corner to a stile, then keep to the right of the next field, following the fence round to the right to find the next stile. Your path now winds across more rough ground to join a lane. Turn left back to Ringmer village green, a short distance away.
