The memory of Seaford’s once well-known woodcut artist Eric Slater has faded since his death 57 years ago. However, a more recent rediscovery of his work led to a ‘Slater Trail’ being created which revisits coastal sites that inspired his artistry. Steve Kisko heads to Cuckmere Haven to follow part of the artist’s trail. Under the governmentr social distancing guidelines you will not be advised to take this wlak at the moment but it will definitely be a good walk when the guidelines are lifted.

1. START in South Hill Barn car park, which is about 600 yards south of the eastern end of Chyngton Way, Seaford, accessed via a farm track.

Standing in the car park with your back to the entrance and the barn in front of you, looking out seawards, exit the car park to the left going around a vehicle barrier.

You can take any of the three paths ahead of you as they join up again in 100 yards, but the suggested route is the middle one between bushes which is an official public footpath.

In 100 yards as the three paths re-join continue ahead. In 150 yards go over a cattle grid and continue downhill.

As you descend the cliffs of the Seven Sisters come into view in the distance.

It is thought that this view is the inspiration for Eric Slater’s “Cuckmere Haven” (1929).

2. In about half a mile go over a second cattle grid (or the gate to the side) to the left of the coastguard cottages, at this point joining the Vanguard Way (VW).

If you have time for a little detour, turn left here across the grass and in about 80 yards there is a small triangular pebble-built knee-high monument to Canadian soldiers. Otherwise, follow the footpath down to the pebbly beach.

3. Make your way along as far as roughly the second groyne and turn around to look back at the cottages.

You should see a similar view as Slater depicted in his “The Coastguard Station” (1930).

Walk back towards the cottages and take a footpath to the right of the one you descended from, leading up to a gate.

After the gate keep right and in 100 yards turn right through another gate to follow a wide flat footpath now fenced in.

In about half a mile go through a further gate and carry on.

The flat marshes of the Cuckmere River estuary lie to your right.

Some parts become bordered by some bushes at this juncture of the walk.

4. In a further half a mile go through a gate to reach a crossroads of paths and turn left through another gate to leave the Vanguard Way.

Keep following the fence on your right as you gradually go uphill along the side of a large field.

In 600 yards go through a gate and keep going up.

As you do, look behind you and the view back out to sea is thought to be similar to “The Stack Yard”.

It is a woodcut by Slater from 1938 and perhaps one of his last that he produced.

As you continue look over to your left to see South Hill Barn in the distance.

In a further 300 yards exit via a gate and turn left.

In 100 yards ignore a footpath to your right but continue straight ahead along a permissive footpath.

In about 300 yards reach a T-junction at Chyngton Farm and turn right.

5. After about 175 yards reach a T-junction with Chyngton Lane and turn left.

In only 50 yards reach a junction with the end of Chyngton Way and continue ahead up the straight track to the car park.

You will then reach it after a distance of about 600 yards.

Distance/time: 3 miles taking 1 and a half hours.

Public transport: Nothing really suitable but Cuckmere Buses has a limited service, number 40, that stops in Fairways Road which is about 400 yards away from point 5. See www.cuckmerebuses.org.uk for details.

Car: South Hill Barn car park, Seaford.

Underfoot: The descent at the start is on a gravel path. Walking along the beach is over pebbles. The section of the Vanguard Way is flat but may be muddy. There is a slight uphill bit towards Chyngton Farm and back to the car park.

Thirsty work: Nothing on route so take your own provisions. The Cuckmere Inn pub is 350 yards from point 4 if you carry on instead of turning left here.

NOTE: Based on “The Slater Trail” created by Slater expert James Trollope. Image of “The Coastguard Station” is copyright James Trollope who has given kind permission for its reproduction and this walk idea. See www.ericslater.co.uk for more details.

Maps: OS Explorer 123; OL25.