Southease and the River Ouse

Route Description for Southease and the River Ouse

Exit Southease railway station via platform 1 and walk down the lane to the left. Follow the lane around to the right and cross the bridge over the River Ouse.

Once over the river go right by passing through the first gate on your right. Follow the trail above the river for the next 1.6 km until you pass through the second kissing gate. A more sheltered gravel path runs parallel on your left. This sheltered gravel path offers protection on a windy day, but doesn’t benefit from the same views.

After the second kissing gate, turn left and leave the River Ouse. Walk down the embankment and onto the public bridleway towards Rodmell. Follow this trail, through three gates, until you reach the National Trusts Monks House, the 17th Century retreat of Leonard and Virginia Woolf. Continue a short while longer after Monks House until you see a public footpath sign on the right, just after the school and between the houses ‘Denholme’ and ‘Johns’. Turn right down this footpath and walk ahead, through a small field and over a brick stile in the left-hand corner. Continue straight on across the farmers field ahead of you, until you reach Piddinghoe Road.

Cross the road with care and then walk along the grass verge, through Northease. Turn left shortly after Northease Manor School, into the driveway for Northease Farm.

Walk up the lane and directly through the farm which slowly winds its way uphill, to the top of the South Downs. Turn left onto the South Downs Way when you reach the top and admire the views of Mount Caburn and the Lewes downs.

Follow signs for the South Downs Way all the way back to the Southease. When you reach Corhams Lane, turn left and cross over the main road, then turn left again down the next side road and follow it back to the station.

Insider Hints for Southease and the River Ouse

• The South Downs YHA is just a short walk from the Southease station and offers everything from dorm beds and private rooms to yurts and pods, all at low prices.
• Monks House is a National Trust site and for a small fee you can visit the quaint cottage and gardens, restored exactly as they would have been in the 17th Century. The house is only open March-October, Wednesday to Sunday, so check times before visiting.
• The Abergavenny Arms is a lovely, family run, pub in Rodmell. They serve locally sourced food and have a great outdoor patio for resting on warmer days. To get there, just continue straight on after passing Monks House, it’s a short and easy detour from the trail.