The Ouse and the Brooks
From Southease station
- distance
- 8.8 km
- the stile score
- Not counted
- circular, about
- Up to 4 hoursshorter route 2 hours 30 mins
Seen farm animals on this walk? Tell us, and we'll check it for the next walker. If cattle come towards you.
Hello from the sticker at Southease and Lewes Brooks. Here's what we know, for you and your dog. More dog-friendly places nearby
Cleo & Bonnie haven't walked this one yet. Everything here is from its publisher, with the date it shows.
By train
Up to two dogs travel free with each passenger. Dogs stay on a lead on the train and at the station, and never on the seats.
Southease has no staff to help.
National Rail Conditions of Travel, condition 24 (valid from 30 July 2026); National Rail's station pages.
Parking
Southease station has no car park, and the National Park's leaflet says leave the car at home and take the train. From National Rail, Southease, undated; South Downs National Park, walks near Lewes and Southease (PDF), undated, read 2 Oct 2026.
The stiles
The leaflet's directions mention gates and kissing gates but no stiles, and give no count.
The ground
Mostly flat, with one steep hill up onto the Downs. Riverbank path along the Ouse and a bridleway track across the Brooks; a road with a grass verge near Northease Manor ('please use caution!') and a main road to cross before Southease ('take care!').
For dogs
Countryside Code panel: leave gates as you find them and keep dogs under close control or on a lead.
Pubs and cafés on the way
- unnamed pub (map symbol only)Rodmell · on the way
Named by the route's publisher. The ones on our list link to their page, with what we know about dogs there.
Walked it with your dog? Tell us how it was
Mud, animals, how busy: a few taps. The answers (never your words or name) show here for three weeks, to help the next walker.
The route
Start Southease station
The directions and the map are on the publisher's own site.
South Downs National Park Authority ('Walks near Lewes and Southease' leaflet) · undated
On the Downs
Between 1 March and 31 July, dogs must be on a short lead (2 metres or less) on open access land, and near livestock at any time of year. Since 18 March 2026, a dog that worries livestock on a road or path, not just on farmland, is an offence.
The CROW Act 2000, Schedule 2; the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 as amended, in force 18 March 2026 (legislation.gov.uk).
If something goes wrong out there, an adder bite, a lost dog, a vet at night: help and emergencies.