I love walking in the countryside and photographing nature, water and skies along the way.
One of my regular walks, which brings all my favourite subjects together, is along the river from Lewes to Hamsey – part of the Sussex Ouse Valley Way. It is an easy walk, and practical for me as I can catch a bus to the Phoenix Causeway, from where my walk starts.
The first part of the walk takes me along the river Ouse past Tesco, on through the park to Willey’s Bridge. The bridge was opened in the 1960s and provides pedestrian access over the river between Lewes and South Malling. After crossing the bridge there is a choice of carrying on straight ahead past Lewes Pells open air swimming pool, or turning right onto the footpath to follow the river, the latter being the route I am writing about.
With the river on the right, the footpath makes easy walking, having been upgraded recently.
All along the way, a wide variety of wild plants and flowers can be seen.
Hundreds of poppies lined both sides of the path this year, and it was quite thought provoking when I walked there on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
After approximately two miles there is a crossroads where the path meets a lane. To the left the lane goes into the village of Hamsey (and then on to Offham for the energetic!); it would be possible to make a circular walk back to Lewes that way, but that’s for another day! My walk turns right at the junction, up to the old Hamsey Church, dedicated to St Peter. After passing through a small hamlet of barn conversions, the pretty lane is lined with wild flowers.
The nave and western chancel of Old Hamsey Church are 12th century; the latter was extended in the 14th century, and most of the windows date from that time. The west end and tower are 15th century.
There are distant views from the church and the lane leading up to it.
My walk returns by retracing my steps back to Lewes – a total of approximately 5 miles.
I’ll summon up the energy to do the longer Hamsey circular tour one day, but that’s for a future article maybe!
All photos © Ann Ritchie Photography