Sussex Walks: An Easy Pells Pond to Lewes River Loop
a peaceful meander along the banks of the River Ouse and around Pells Pond
Lewes is a popular destination for flea market enthusiasts, charity shop pickers and those looking to buy wares from independent makers. But aside from it’s beautiful flint shops and winding lanes in the shadow of the castle it is also home to a whole host of beautiful walks.
The River Ouse travels through the centre of Lewes resulting in a number of routes that take in the wide, tidal river. This route will take around an hour and will see you taking in Pells Pond (and pool if you are so inclined), some rich meadows, old Offham woods (an old miners site), along the river and back to the town centre.
It’s a fairly easy route with some parts along a gravelled path but be aware that even in dryer months it can get muddy so you’ll need a good pair of boots and a resolve to get muddy soles!
You’ve a few options as to where to start your walk. I always park on the Landport Estate (what3words: dripped. mastering.enough) and start my walk from Hayward Road. You could also choose to park by Pells Pool where there is metered parking or Brook Street Car Park.
As I said, we’re starting at Hayward Road where there is a small green with a dog poo bin.
Head away from the road and you’ll see a track going left and right. You’re going to turn left away from the allotments and follow the track ahead until it forks to the right slightly downhill and away from a small cluster of houses.
You’ll soon find yourself in Offham woods. A fairly dense thicket that has a nice wide path running through, if you keep an eye out on your left you’ll see a fairly steep incline which use to be the home of a pulley lift which the miners would use to transport chalk mined from the cliffs down to waiting boats on the river. It is now used by daredevil motocross riders. Once you see that on your left and to the right a body of water with a gate to the left of it take the gate into a grassy field. Keep an eye out for lots of foreign opportunities here and also if you’re quiet enough some shy bird breeds.
Enjoy this gorgeous meadow with the marshes either side which house much rare wildlife including frogs (you’ll know if you caught them in mating season!), newts and the very rare great silver beetle. There are numerous tree trunks which I often stop to meditate or journal by or on. And from them you can look up the thick woodland to the chalk cliffs at the top of Offham. And every now and then a London train will speed by reminding you of the peaceful place you’re in.
Once you’ve passed under the railway bridge we’re going to turn right through a gate but before doing so you may wish to just take a few paces to your left to take in the view here over the river and along to Offham Church. Once you’ve turned right this contained path is the bit that can get very muddy, even in dry weather so pick your way around carefully.
Pass through a second gate and the path opens up again along the river. Here you can amble straight along taking in everything en route towards Lewes town.
After 15 minutes or so you’ll pass through another gate onto a tree lined path. The view of the footbridge that leads into Lewes town centre will soon come into view. You can choose to cross it to pick around town if you would like but otherwise we’re going the opposite way and instead turning right when you’ll soon find yourself at Pells Pond.
Pells Pond is an L shaped pond that houses lots of ducks. I tried to do some research on it for this post but there is nothing about it online, there’s a little challenge for you!
The Pells area is also home to Pells Pool - an outdoor non heated lido built in 1860 that is very popular among locals.
Once you pass Pells Pool on your left take a right along the edge of the second half of the pond and you’re heading up a slight incline to the left on the pond when it ends through a Victorian railway bridge along what is called a twitten in Lewes (alleyway).
Once through the alleyway you’ll notice a recreation ground to your right and what was a primary school (until recently) to your left. As the path opens up after the school you can either take the gate to the right but the ground gets very boggy in here. A path across the field will lead you right back to your starting point.
If you choose to avoid the boggy ground you can just pass through the bottom off Landport Estate, head straight on and when you see the allotments in front of you after crossing the green take the path to the right of it and you’re back where you started.
