A round trip from Cooksbridge Station offers a compact but historically layered route through the landscape north of Lewes. The station itself takes its name from the old Cook family, recorded locally from the medieval period, combined with the small bridge crossing the Bevern Stream. Cooksbridge grew as a railway halt in the mid‑19th century, supporting the rural communities between Lewes and Sheffield Park.

Route Overview

The walk leaves the station and heads north‑west, skirting the fields around Copyhold Farm. “Copyhold” refers to a form of medieval land tenure where occupants held land according to the customs of the manor, recorded in the manorial court rolls. Many Sussex farms with this name trace their origins to that system.

From here the path bends towards Hamsey House, close to the ancient parish of Hamsey. Hamsey appears in the Domesday Book as Hamesie, thought to derive from Old English ham (homestead) and eg (island), referring to its raised position above the surrounding marsh. The area has long been associated with river trade along the Ouse.

Climbing the Downs

The route then rises sharply towards Offham Hill, one of the steeper ascents in this part of the Downs. Offham’s name likely comes from Ufanham—“the homestead on the hill”—and the village is known for its 19th‑century chalk pit and the last operational horse‑drawn chalk incline in Britain.

A short detour passes a local pub on the Offham road, a common stopping point for walkers tackling the ridge. The area is also popular with dog walkers, especially on weekends, thanks to the mix of open downland and enclosed field paths.

Beyond Offham Hill, the path continues over open chalk grassland towards Mount Harry. This ridge is associated with the 1264 Battle of Lewes; although the main fighting took place closer to Lewes, the surrounding high ground was used for troop movements and signalling.

The final high point is Black Cap, a rounded summit marking the northern edge of the Lewes Downs. Its name may refer to the darker vegetation that once covered the top. The hill forms part of the South Downs chalk ridge and offers wide views across the Ouse Valley.

Conditions Underfoot

The descent back towards Cooksbridge is steep in places, and after recent rain the chalk and clay sections become notably muddy. The mixture of slopes, farm tracks, and open downland makes the route varied but requires steady footing.

Summary

This circular walk combines etymology, medieval land history, and traces of Sussex’s strategic past. Starting and ending at Cooksbridge Station, it links farms, historic houses, and prominent downland summits in a compact loop that reflects the layered landscape of the Ouse Valley, and remains a well‑used route for local walkers and their dogs.