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Barcombe
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Barcombe (population 1,500) is a quiet East Sussex village lying just some 4–5 miles (6.4 km) north of Lewes. It is also the name of one of the civil parishes in the Lewes District of East Sussex. Within the parish are Barcombe itself (the older of the settlements); Barcombe Cross, the larger of the two villages, where the the villagers of Barcombe evacuated during the Medieval plague; and the area around Barcombe Mills, on the River Ouse. The parish also includes the settlements of Spithurst and Town Littleworth.
Barcombe is probably best known to Sussex residents and tourists for its 'Mills', a reference to an old water-mill complex on the River Ouse at the base of the hill upon which Barcombe Cross is situated.
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Encyclopedia
Barcombe (population 1,500) is a quiet East Sussex village lying just some 4–5 miles (6.4 km) north of Lewes. It is also the name of one of the civil parishes in the Lewes District of East Sussex. Within the parish are Barcombe itself (the older of the settlements); Barcombe Cross, the larger of the two villages, where the the villagers of Barcombe evacuated during the Medieval plague; and the area around Barcombe Mills, on the River Ouse. The parish also includes the settlements of Spithurst and Town Littleworth.
Barcombe is probably best known to Sussex residents and tourists for its 'Mills', a reference to an old water-mill complex on the River Ouse at the base of the hill upon which Barcombe Cross is situated. The Mills were a favourite Sunday outing for townsfolk from Lewes and Brighton before World War II, when the mills were burnt down.
Barcombe was recorded in the Domesday Book as "Berchamp", a reference to fields of barley. Remains have been also found of a Roman villa and an earlier Iron Age roundhouse on the same site, just to the south of the village.
Barcombe parish church is dedicated to St Mary, and is in the older village.
Bonfire
Barcombe Bonfire is held annually, two weeks after the Lewes celebration. Barcombe’s celebrations are hailed as close to Lewes as it gets and have been said to be the best village celebrations. The society is largely family-orientated and everyone helps out with torch dipping, bonfire building etc. The Grand Firework Display is ‘grand’ as well as the four processions (including the dedicated Children's Procession.) They always have many societies visiting and have a fancy dress competition: always well attended.
Transport
The A26 between Lewes and Uckfield runs south-east of the villages. It can be accessed 2 miles from the centre of the village via Barcombe Mills Road.
The A275 runs north of the villages. This links Lewes and Haywards Heath
Two railway lines ran through the villages: the line between Lewes and Uckfield opened in October 1868; and the line from East Grinstead, part of which is now the Bluebell Railway.
There were stations on each of the two lines: Barcombe on the East Grinstead line, and Barcombe Mills on the Uckfield line, with a junction south of the latter before the line continued to Lewes. Barcombe closed on 17 March 1958, whilst Barcombe Mills closed on 4 May 1969. Part of the line is now a cycle track.
The nearest railway station is now Cooksbridge, about 2˝ miles away.
There are many bridleways and footpaths in and around the villages, linking to Lewes, Isfield, Newick and many other places. The Sussex Ouse Valley Way runs through Barcombe Mills to the south.
A bus service is provided to the bus stop at the north of Barcombe Cross and outside the junction with the old road at Barcombe Mills. Services are provided by Countryliner: the number is 122. The 121 will diverge from its main route and operate via Barcombe Cross on request; resulting in it visiting Chailey 15 minutes later than usual. The buses connect with the trains at Cooksbridge. There are no buses on Sundays to Barcombe Cross and no buses at all on weekends to Barcombe Mills.
The nearest big airport is London Gatwick, 45 minutes' drive to the north; this offers domestic, European and international flights.
Shoreham Airport is about half an hour's drive to the west. This small Art Deco airport offers flights to France and the Channel Islands. It is mainly used for private planes though.
Fishing (Lakes)
There are two fishable lakes in the parish, Barcombe Reservoir and Cornwell's Reservoir.
Barcombe Reservoir is the larger and is used for the Water Treatment Works at Barcombe Mills. It is popular for trout fly-fishing.
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