History of the River Cuckmere

Taking its name from the Saxon word meaning fast flowing, the Cuckmere has an industrial history that can be traced back to the Iron Age - an era that brought prosperity to the area for many centuries. Even today the valleys of the catchment are studded with iron working sites marked by abandoned Hammer Ponds and disused mills. Names such as Furnace Lane, Boring House Ram, Cinderford Lane and Steel Forge Farm are a lasting reminder of industry long gone.

The headstreams of this Wealden river are another sign of its ancient use as they are sometimes discoloured by the vivid orange hue of iron.

Iron Age man first extracted iron ore on the fringes of the Weald and used the bloomer process to create metal. The fast flowing streams provided water to cool tools and the solid mass of iron 'bloom'.

For about 200 years the Romans exploited Wealden iron deposits on a highly organised scale and large amounts were exported across the English Channel.