An hour and 14 minutes by train or 90 minutes by car, Uckfield is a small market town located on the southern edge of Sussex’s High Weald.
The town earned its name by association with the River Uck which it grew up around over the centuries and today it’s a mix of timber-framed medieval buildings and Georgian houses.
One of Uckfield’s draws all year around is its Bluebell Railway which runs from Sheffield Park Railway, just north of the town, and offers visitors a chance to ride on preserved vintage railway carriages on the 11-mile-long track running throughout the Sussex countryside.
The Bluebell Railway (Image: The Bluebell Railway)
Formerly part of the Lewes & East Grinstead Railway, the line now runs between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead and is known as the world’s first preserved standard gauge steam-operated passenger railway to run a public service.
As well as riding on board the railway, visitors can also explore its preserved stations including Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes and East Grinstead, stopping off at each with a roaming ticket to explore them.
Holy Cross Church, Uckfield (Image: Marky Wordy/Flickr)
Uckfield is home to around 47 listed buildings with one of its oldest being its 15th century Bridge Cottage – a former Wealden Hall house that has been turned into a heritage and community centre thanks to a grant from the National Lottery.
Some of Uckfield’s other historic buildings include the Church of the Holy Cross, which sits at the top of the town.
Parts of the church date back to the 13th and 14th centuries, although much of the building was rebuilt in 1839 and 1840 by architect William Moseley.
Woodland area near Uckfield, Sussex. (Image: Dominic Alves/Flickr)
The Maiden’s Head Hotel, a Grade II listed coaching inn near the top of High Street, is believed to date back to at least the 17th century and was formerly known as the Red Lyon.
Another place to visit near Uckfield is nearby Sheffield Park which is a seasonal highlight during the spring with its volley of spring colour.
Canada geese and goslings at Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex (Image: Arnhel de Serra)
Now owned by the National Trust, the park is believed to date back to 1086 when records of it first appeared, and it was later awarded to the trust in the 1950s.
The garden features four interconnected lakes, as well as woodland paths to explore and during the spring these paths are teeming with spring blooms.
During the early spring the park is often teeming with daffodils along the lawns, slopes and near the lake, turning the walkways awash with yellow.
The National Trust also offers guided tours of the garden to highlight its spring bloom with walks running throughout March and April.
Tree trunk carved with the face of a greenman in the woodland copse called Ringwood Toll at Sheffield Park, East Sussex (Image: ©National Trust Images/John Mill)
Uckfield is also a good base for walkers, with several long-distance trails passing close to the town.
The Wealdway, an 80-mile route running from the River Thames at Gravesend to Eastbourne on the south coast, passes through Uckfield and offers scenic sections through classic Wealden farmland and villages.
The Vanguard Way, which stretches around 66 miles from Croydon to Newhaven Harbour, also runs nearby, crossing the countryside around Buxted and heading towards Ashdown Forest.
Closer to the town there are plenty of shorter routes to explore. Walkers can try the easy Uckfield Road Loop near the station, the six-mile route from Newick to Uckfield, or the circular walk around Piltdown Pond.
Nearby spots such as Buxted Park and Ashdown Forest also offer miles of trails through parkland, heath and woodland, with opportunities to spot wildlife along the way.
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