Sunday Feb 22, 2009: 6.25 miles, ascent sod all (Map: OS Explorer 122)
A lovely walk up river from Barcombe Mills following the Ouse Valley Way to the weir at Isfield. After eating our sandwiches by the weir we walked back cross country to Barcombe Mills. Google "Ouse Valley Way" for more info on this 42-mile walking route, which runs from Lower Beeding in W Sussex, followng as close to the Sussex Ouse as possible, to the sea near Newhaven.
We parked on a side road at Barcombe Mills as the car park is shut in winter. Making our way across the various channels of the river here, we picked up the Ouse Valley Way (footpath)heading upstream along the southern bank of the river. After about 1 and 1/4 miles, the path bridges the river, passing the Anchor Inn after about another 1/2 mile.
At the Anchor, the path crosses the river again, following its meandering course and recrossing at White Bridge near Isfield. Another 1 and 1/2 miles took us past the remains of Isfield lock and to our lunch stop at the weir.
After lunch we retraced our path past the lock for about 2/3 mile to a junction of paths and tracks. Here we left the river, following a footpath (track) SW to Agamond's wood and along Dallas Lane to the road. A few hundred yards of road (SW) brought us to Clay Corner, where we headed SE and then SSW across fields, beside a stream and then uphill to join the road at Camoys Court Farm (about 3/4 mile distance road to road). A short dogleg SE on the road took us to the footpath running SE from the top of Church Road. After crossing a couple of fields, a short stretch of road roughly E took us across the route of the disused Lewes-Uckfield railway line and back to Barcombe Mills.
This was a short walk along a lovely quiet stretch of the river combined with a stroll through coppiced woodland and rolling fields. One to do again on a warm sunny day when the trees are in leaf and the flowers are out.
