Transforming one of Wealden’s most important recreational and active-travel assets into a more accessible, welcoming and engaging destination.
£645,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund investment has delivered new facilities, signage and wayfinding, outdoor fitness, digital experiences, public art and heritage improvements, supporting healthier communities while strengthening connection and pride in place.
The Cuckoo Trail Improvements project was developed in response to significant new housing growth across the district, creating a need to ensure the trail continued to evolve alongside the communities it serves. As an established green corridor linking Polegate and Heathfield, the Cuckoo Trail presented an opportunity to strengthen an important local asset and ensure it could better support wellbeing, active travel and community connection.
Drawing on feedback from residents, stakeholders and trail users, alongside evidence about how the trail is used, we identified a need to improve access, raise awareness and make greater use of the trail’s distinctive railway heritage. This approach recognised the importance of protecting what communities value while enhancing its role as a destination for recreation, sustainable travel and community activity
The Cuckoo Trail Strategy 2022–2025 established the foundation for this work. Building on the Strategy, the Cuckoo Trail Masterplan brought these ideas together within a holistic, strategic framework, setting out a clear vision, objectives and potential projects for delivery over time. UK Shared Prosperity Fund investment then enabled us to turn elements of this ambition into targeted, tangible improvements with lasting public benefit.
The project aimed to unlock the trail’s potential as a community asset, active-travel corridor and visitor destination. Improvements sought to encourage physical activity and time outdoors, enhance navigation and accessibility, celebrate the trail’s heritage, and strengthen community ownership. The programme also aimed to better connect users with nearby towns, amenities and businesses, increasing opportunities to exercise, explore and enjoy the trail while supporting wellbeing, community identity and local social and economic benefits.
Building on user research, established through the Cuckoo Trail Masterplan, we worked with partners to deliver a series of improvements:
Horam Station Hub: The former railway station platform has been brought back into active use as a community hub. Cadence Clubhouse Horam provides refreshments, toilets, water refills, bike pumps and cycle-repair tools, alongside a place to meet, rest and enjoy the outdoors. Restored historic features retain the character of the former railway, whilst improvements to the landscaping around the area have created a more inviting space that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors.
AR Trail: An interactive augmented-reality wildlife trail creates a new way for families and children to discover the area and connect with its natural environment.
Outdoor gym: Eleven pieces of equipment, including a balance beam, overhead ladder and sit-up bench, provide free opportunities for physical activity on the Hailsham to Polegate section.
Arts, sculpture and heritage: Public art has been installed across Eastwell bridge and a sculpture by a local artist has been installed near the Horam Hub. Heritage-inspired bird and hedgehog boxes have also been installed along the trail. Creative workshops took place with local schools and a children’s storybook was created to bring the trail’s identity to life.
Accessibility: At Heathfield, we have widened the access paths, re-surfaced and created a wheelchair-friendly picnic area, to improve the use of the area.
Signage and wayfinding: A new identity and consistent signage improve navigation, accessibility of information, heritage interpretation and connections to nearby amenities and attractions.
The Cuckoo Trail is becoming a more welcoming place to be active, explore and connect with the area. Eleven outdoor gym installations provide opportunities to exercise, while improved accessibility, signage and the Horam Station Hub make it easier to navigate, stop and enjoy the trail.
The trail has a community of users. In 2020, average monthly footfall was 3,391 at Hellingly, 3,355 at Horam and 4,711 at Polegate – an average of 3,819 across the three monitoring locations. This provides a baseline for measuring impact, with updated footfall data now being collected.
At Eastwell Bridge, more than 250 artists submitted work, with 77 artworks selected and installed. More than 150 people attended the unveiling, while the artwork has helped reduce graffiti issues.
The Arts & Heritage Programme delivered 21 workshops for more than 500 schoolchildren and older residents. Its success has led to an extension into 2025/26.
Together, these improvements are creating a lasting legacy for health, active travel, education, heritage, nature, community pride and the visitor economy.
Find out more about the Cuckoo Trail improvements on Let’s Talk Wealden
Find out more about the Cuckoo Trail
Find out more about the Cuckoo Trail Strategy
Find out more about the Cadence Clubhouse Horam
Find out more about the Cuckoo Trail Arts & Heritage Programme (delivered by Prowse)
Find out more about the Eastwell Artists’ Bridge Project (delivered by Hailsham Festival of Arts)
Find out more about the Cuckoo Trail Augmented Reality Wildlife Trail
Find out more about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Key partners and contributors include: Wealden District Council, Prowse, local artists and creative practitioners, Hailsham Festival of Arts, Cadence Cycle Club, local schools, community groups and Men’s Shed.