h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Sussex Ouse is not a big river, but it makes an impact on the landscape and history of Sussex. It rises near the village of Little Beeding and meanders slowly southward through East Sussex. Where the London to Brighton railway line crosses the valley of the Ouse, the Balcombe viaduct was built. This is an impressive structure and, when I used to commute home from London, I liked to look out for the view of the countryside from the viaduct. A little to the north is Ardingly Reservoir, which was formed when one of the tributaries of the Ouse was dammed. The river also passes close to the Bluebell Railway, a preserved steam railway line.

The tidal limit of the Ouse is at Barcombe Mills, where artists used to paint the old mill building. Barcombe is a pleasant village and provides a popular spot for anglers and picnickers beside the Ouse. The Ouse valley was always prone to flooding and attempts were made to drain it, but were not entirely successful. A canal was finally constructed by about 1812, to provide navigation. When the river reaches the Downs, it flows through the historic town of Lewes. Originally Lewes was set on a steep hill overlooking the river, which is crowned by a Norman Castle. The river here is strongly tidal and in 2000, it flooded parts of Lewes.

Beyond Lewes, the Ouse flows past Rodmell, where Virginia Woolf lived. She drowned herself in the river here on 28 March 1941. These lower reaches of the river provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including little egrets and other water birds. The river flows into the English Channel at the port of Newhaven.

Thank you for this lovely meandering view of the river

Excellent about the Little Egrets - they are doing well these days, as they've moved into the RSPB reserve near me as well

I read up about Little Egrets - apparently they used to be common in Britain but were hunted to extinction for their feathers and for eating. It's good they've made a come back.

(Trying hard not to make a 'Egrets' Egress' pun)

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