Cuckmere Valley

Sussex

Flower-rich chalk grassland with stunning views of the Cuckmere River

East Sussex, BN26 5TT

Opening times
See on map

A view across the flat valley fields and meandering river at Cuckmere Valley

Map
Directions via Google Maps
By road
For Chyngton take the A259 which links Eastbourne to Seaford and passes through Exceat. For sat nav use BN25 4JQ.For Frog Firle Farm take the B2108 (Alfriston Road) between Seaford (A259) and Alfriston (A27). For sat nav use BN26 5TT
On foot
The Cuckmere Valley lies on the Vanguard Way, a long-distance footpath that begins in Croydon and ends at Newhaven, and is also near the South Downs Way, which runs from Winchester to Eastbourne. A variety of other footpaths lead to the Cuckmere Valley from other directions. The valley is 3 miles from the centre of Seaford and the station. Alfriston is on the Cuckmere river 5 miles from the coast at Cuckmere Haven, 1 mile from the edge of Frog Firle and 2 miles from High and Over.
By train
Seaford 3.5 miles (from High and Over), Berwick 4 miles
By bus
The number 12, 12A and 12B buses run all year between Brighton and Eastbourne these stop at Exceat for access to Chyngton farm and the 12A stops at Milberg Road, Seaford for access to Frog Firle Farm. The Cuckmere Valley Ramblerbus number 47 stops at High and Over car park for access to Frog Firle Farm and Cradle Valley.

Opening times for 16 October 2025
Asset	Opening time
Countryside	Dawn - Dusk

Visiting the South Downs with your dog

Find out about bringing your dog to the South Downs. Explore the beautiful landscape together, from cliff-tops and beaches to ancient downland.

A close-up of a border collie dog standing on a rock at the Lake District

Restoring Chyngton Brooks

The 'Restoring Intertidal Habitats at Chyngton Brooks' project is an initiative led by the National Trust in close partnership with the Environment Agency. The project aims to restore 42 hectares [100 acres] of priority intertidal habitat on the western side of the Cuckmere River estuary at Cuckmere Haven in East Sussex