Southease, East Sussex

Southease is a small village in East Sussex, nestled between the A26 and C7 roads near the River Ouse. Its parish church, dedicated to Saint Peter, is notable for its rare 12th-century round tower—one of only three in Sussex, all located in the Ouse Valley. The church itself dates back to 966 and features remnants of 13th-century mural paintings, surrounded by mature lime trees and a flint boundary wall.

The village’s history is closely tied to the river and the Lewes Levels, with evidence of a once-thriving herring fishery recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Many cottages in Southease date from the 17th century, reflecting its rich past. Among the listed buildings are Southease Place, Rock and Barn Cottage, Thatched Cottage, The Rectory, and Black Lamb House, each showcasing architectural styles from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Southease Swing Bridge, built in the 1880s and now a Grade II listed structure, connects the village to its railway station across the river. Though its swing mechanism has not operated since 1967, the bridge remains a significant historic feature. Nearby, the Southease Brook pastures form part of the Lewes Brooks SSSI, attracting diverse wildlife including wintering snipe, water rail, and various wildfowl.

The South Downs Way passes through Southease, offering scenic walking routes along the riverbanks and across the surrounding chalk grasslands. Southease Hill and Hill Buildings provide habitats for rare flora such as harebells, cowslips, and spotted orchids, highlighting the village’s natural as well as historical appeal.