South Downs National Park

Sandwiched between the small ferry port of Newhaven and the South Downs, this is the estuary plain of the Sussex Ouse. This on the very edge of the South Downs National Park, in England.

This part of the South Downs National Park lies on the coast between Seaford and Newhaven, in East Sussex.

This stretch of the South Downs National Park lies to the south-east of Lewes.

The Sussex Ouse runs between raised banks in a straight line across the scene, just beyond the electricity pylon. The water in the foreground is a series of ponds, fuller than usual, as a result of the recent rains. This was taken from the point at which the South Downs Way reaches the valley, having descended from Itford Hill. The southern end of Southease village can be seen towards the right on the far side of the valley.

Not a scene with much of a focal point, but an illustration of why I have grown to enjoy travelling through the South Downs area, with the clouds dappling the patchwork of the fields.

This picturesque Sussex village is in a very sought after location. It is a mile or so from the sea, at Birling Gap. Eastbourne is about four miles to the east and Brighton is just under 18 to the west. It is now in the South Downs National Park.

The end of the South Downs National Park - the bit where the Park is getting smaller daily!

There is at least one more Bishopstone in England - in Wiltshire to the south-west of Salisbury. This is the Sussex one. This valley is towards the eastern end of the South Downs National Park, which was established in 2011, The park covers large areas of rural Sussex, on the south coast of England. While villages like this are included in the park, larger communities, like neighbouring Newhaven & Seaford are outside its boundaries.

One of the main, non-farming industries in the South Downs National Park used to be the making of lime for use in mortar and concrete, from the Downs chalk. The Amberley Museum has been created in a valley were the chalk was quarried and made into lime.

This box was green, when we came down in 2009, went red briefly and is now green again! A red one, near our house, when we lived in London, was reputedly a listed building. I have just discovered one in one of my Rye photos is definitely a listed building on the English Heritage register. As it is green, this may no longer be a BT (British Telecomms) phonebox, but its certainly has been in the past.

This path runs from the Cradle Hill Industrial Estate, along the edge of Seaford's backgardens and out onto the South Downs - just beyond the opening ahead. With the new foliage, May blossom and Cow Parsley this time of year it is at its most picturesque.

One of the main, non-farming industries in the South Downs National Park used to be the making of lime for use in mortar and concrete, from the Downs chalk. The Amberley Museum has been created in a valley were the chalk was quarried and made into lime.

This is at the eastern end of the South Downs National Park, which was established in 2011, The park covers large areas of rural Sussex on the south coast of England.

At this time of year - January - one can see more of the buildings as the trees are without leaves. The Visitors' Centre is on the right.