River Cuckmere
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The Cuckmere River flows through the chalk landscape of the South Downs of East Sussex from the north of Heathfield to Exceat on the East Sussex coast.
At its estuary it meanders several times through the Cuckmere Valley Nature Reserve, reaching the sea at Cuckmere Haven between the chalk cliffs of Seaford Head and the famous Seven Sisters.
The course of the river was historically diverted to allow improved irrigation for agriculture in the area. The artificial meanders of the Cuckmere river tht this created, are known internationally. The area is a major tourist attraction, and at the north end of the valley, at Exceat is the popular Golden Galleon Public House.
A collaboration of the Environment Agency, DEFRA and various other environmental and conservation groups plans to stop protecting the area from flooding. Presently, an artificial pebble blockade prevents seawater penetrating the uppermost areas of the Cuckmere Valley. However, with sea level rise and increasing costs of abation, together with growing evidence that the area would be more ecologically rich, if allowed to return to its natural state; it is planned to stop the repair of this blockade, which will result in the eventual flooding of this highly popular area. It is estimated, however that the benefit in terms of ecological expansion, will in the long term, act to improve tourism.
