One of the finest traffic-free trails in the South East starts right on Eastbourne’s doorstep. The Cuckoo Trail is a flat, well-surfaced path along a disused railway line, winding for miles through woodland, fields and villages — perfect for walking, cycling or a gentle family day out. Here’s your guide to enjoying it.
The trail
The Cuckoo Trail runs for around 14 miles between Heathfield in the north and Hampden Park on the edge of Eastbourne in the south, passing through the market town of Hailsham, the town of Polegate and the villages of Horam and Hellingly along the way. Because it follows the course of a former railway, it’s beautifully flat and gentle — there’s only one modest climb heading north — making it wonderfully accessible for walkers, cyclists and families with young children alike. Well surfaced throughout and largely traffic-free, it forms part of National Cycle Network Route 21, and you can join it at any point for as long or short a journey as you fancy.
History and the name
The trail follows the old Cuckoo Line, a railway that opened in the 1880s, linking Eastbourne with Heathfield and beyond. The line earned its charming nickname from a lovely local tradition: the first cuckoo of spring was said to be released from a cage at the annual Heathfield Fair. After the railway fell victim to the Beeching cuts and closed in 1968, the route was gradually transformed — with the help of the charity Sustrans and local councils — into the much-loved leisure path it is today, used by around 200,000 people a year.
Did you know? Keep an eye out for the distinctive wood and steel sculptures dotted along the way, many carved by local craftsmen — including a dedicated Wildlife Sculpture Trail on the stretch north of Hellingly.
What you’ll see
The Cuckoo Trail is a green corridor bursting with life. It winds through a mixture of broadleaf woodland, open grassland and farmland, with verges managed for wildflowers where you might spot vetch, willowherb and even orchids in early summer, and wild garlic scenting the air between Hellingly and Horam. Birdwatchers can look out for bullfinches, green woodpeckers and warblers, and butterflies such as the orange-tip flit along the path in the warmer months. Benches, picnic tables and plenty of rest points line the route, with refreshments easy to find in the towns and villages you pass through.
Getting on the trail
The Cuckoo Trail is very easy to reach from Eastbourne. Its southern end is at Hampden Park, which has its own railway station on the mainline, so you can walk or cycle straight onto the trail without a car. There are also free car parks at Heathfield, Horam, Hellingly and Hailsham, on-street parking at Polegate and Hampden Park, and bus services linking the towns along the way. Whether you want a short stroll, a full-day cycle to Heathfield and back, or somewhere safe to teach the kids to ride, it’s an ideal spot.
The Cuckoo Trail: FAQs
How long is the Cuckoo Trail?
It runs around 14 miles from Heathfield to Hampden Park on the edge of Eastbourne, with the main historic railway section covering about 11 miles between Heathfield and Polegate.
Is the Cuckoo Trail good for cycling?
Yes — it’s flat, well-surfaced and largely traffic-free, part of National Cycle Route 21, making it ideal for cyclists of all ages and abilities, including families.
How do I get to the Cuckoo Trail from Eastbourne?
The southern end is at Hampden Park, which has a railway station, so you can reach it car-free. There’s also parking at Polegate, Hailsham and further north.
Why is it called the Cuckoo Trail?
It follows the old “Cuckoo Line” railway, named after the tradition of releasing the first cuckoo of spring from a cage at the annual Heathfield Fair.
Explore more on foot: the market town of Hailsham, the suburb of Hampden Park, and the best walks around Eastbourne.