Brightling Beacon, three miles farther, commands the finest prospect of the western Weald, the immediate foreground being of great beauty.  Brightling church should also be seen.

A return could now be made by way of Heathfield, from Brightling, passing Cade Street.  Here a monument commemorates the death of Jack Cade, who was shot by an arrow discharged by Alexander Iden, Sheriff of Kent, in 1450.  Cade had been hiding at Newick Farm; gaining confidence he came out for a game of bowls and met his end while playing.  Heathfield old village and church are off the main road to the left; our route passes the railway station and runs westwards to Cross-in-Hand and Blackboys; this road is a succession of lovely views throughout the seven miles to Framfield, where there is a Tudor church.  A short two miles more brings us to our main route at Uckfield.]

[Illustration:  MIDDLE HOUSE, MAYFIELD.]

Uckfield (43-1/2 m.) old church was pulled down in the early nineteenth century, and its successor is of no interest.  An old stone house in front of the “King’s Head” was once the village lock-up.  A picturesque outcrop of the Hastings sandstone around a small lake forms a beauty spot of local fame:  it is within the demesne of “The Rocks” on the west of the town.

    [An alternative route to Lewes could be taken from Uckfield
    through the best part of the Ouse valley; nearly half-way and on
    the right is Isfield ("Eyefield"), the church is interesting.]

The road now bears south-east to High Cross and then by Halland to East Hoathly (48-1/4 m.).  The church here has the Pelham buckle as a dripstone.  Note the Norman piscina.  In five miles the little hamlet of Horsebridge is reached.  We are now in the Cuckmere valley.

[One mile short of this a round of four miles could be made via The Dicker to Mickleham Priory and Hailsham.  The Priory is now a farmhouse; the position of the chapel is shown by some arches built into the wall.  The interior has a fine cowled fireplace and Early English crypt.  The gatehouse is the only complete portion of the Priory buildings.  Permission must be obtained to view the interior.]

The Eastbourne road crosses the Cuckmere and turns sharp to the right before reaching the railway.

Hailsham (55-1/2 m.).  The fine pinnacled tower of the church shows up well above the roofs of the old market town, which, however, has little to show the visitor and is not particularly picturesque.  The immediate surroundings of the road are tame until we enter the woodlands, which surround the route almost to Polegate (58-1/2 m.).  We now have fine views of the Downs on our right front though Willingdon to Eastbourne (63 m.).

LONDON TO SEAFORD BY EAST GRINSTEAD AND LEWES