The disused Wealden Line from Culver Junction to Isfield Station (Lavender Line)
Separate collections cover (a) the former line from Culver Junction to Isfield Station including the former Barcombe Mills Station; (b) the Lavender Line at Isfield Station; (c) the Lavender Line from Isfield Station to Little Horsted; and (d) the disused section of the Wealden Line between Little Horsted and Uckfield (Old Station).
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The tour starts on the approach to Culver Junction, looking north east, with a much photographed bridge. Despite the solid construction it only carries a private farm track. 02.06.2007
Passing through the bridge and looking back south west the site of the old Culver Junction signal box is on the left adjacent to the bridge. The remains of a signal box outbuilding can just be seen, covered in weeds, in front of the bridge. This whole area is private property (photographed with permission). 02.06.2007
This view, taken from the bridge, looks north east. Caravans for farm staff now stand where the single line to Sheffield Park would have branched left. 17.06.2007
Standing at ground level at Culver Junction, the line to Sheffield Park curves away north west, following the curved line of trees in the distance. A separate collection follows the line to Sheffield Park. This is private land and a large bull is sometimes loose in the area. Please do not visit unannounced and without permission. 02.06.2007
Moving the camera slightly to the right, the line to Barcombe Mills Station, Isfield Station and Uckfield ran straight ahead along the track between the trees (to the north east). 02.06.2007
A short distance along the main line to Barcombe Mills this view looks back south towards Culver Junction. Despite a long dry spell it can be seen that the trackbed remained a tad soggy. 02.06.2007
Looking towards Barcombe Mills at a point about half way from Culver Junction. At one time the station buildings could be seen from the junction, but those were the days when the trackside was kept clear. 02.06.2007
This view looks back south west from the same point, towards Culver Junction. 02.06.2007
Walking towards Barcombe Mills a large amount of chalk had been dumped on the embankment, but the source was not clear. This view looks north east. 17.06.2007
A view from the same point, looking back south west towards Culver Junction. 17.06.2007
Barcombe Mills Station is private property, and a gate has been placed across the embankment at the boundary. In turn a hedge now blocks the gate. This view looks towards the boundary. 17.06.2007
Turning round, this shot looks back south west from the same point. 17.06.2007
Changing position, this view looks towards the Barcombe Mills embankment from the other embankment leading toward Barcombe and Sheffield Park. The chalk previously pictured can be seen on the right. 17.06.2007
Using a longer lens, this is the cluster of buildings around Barcombe Mills Station, looking east from the Barcombe embankment. 17.06.2007
A second view of the Barcombe Mills buildings from the Barcombe embankment. The shed on the right is on the site of the old station. 17.06.2007
Moving the camera round slightly, this is the gate blocking the embankment at the southern boundary of the Barcombe Mills property. 17.06.2007
Barcombe Mills Station during a visit by a Bluebell Railway tour. The fence on the left marks the position of the former level crossing gate adjacent to the station platform. 03.04.2013 6571
Barcombe Mills Station building. An extension has been added on the right of the picture. Please note that this building is private property. 03.04.2013 6566
Barcombe Mills Station building. Please note that this building is private property. 03.04.2013 6569
Barcombe Mills Station building. Please note that this building is private property. 03.04.2013 6587
the owner of Barcombe Mills Station values his privacy. 03.04.2013 6568
An earlier image of Barcombe Mills taken on 02.06.2007. The building is called The Ticket Office. I am informed that it is the original station building, although since closure an extension has been added under the canopy onto the platform area. The post and fence on the left mark the position of the old level crossing.
Another of the cluster of buildings near Barcombe Mills Station. 03.04.2013 6572
The erection of buildings and a fence make it difficult to see the old station. This is a glimpse of the canopy on the northbound platform. 02.06.2007
The building on the south platform appears to have been rebuilt. I am unable to say whether this is the original southbound canopy, but I suspect not. 02.06.2007
Barcombe Mills Station looking across the site of the former level crossing. 03.04.2013 6574
A much photographed and famous sign at Barcombe Mills explained by the tendency of the adjacent River Ouse to flood. 02.06.2007. This sign was found to have been removed in 2013, but the circumstances are unknown.
Barcombe Mills Station looking across the level crossing on 03.04.2013. On the extreme left the empty bracket that formerly held the sign in the previous picture can be seen. 6573
This is the site of Barcombe Mills goods yard. The unusual curved shape results from a goods line which entered the yard from behind the parked car and curved out of the picture in the left foreground, following the line of the hedge. This line was en route to Barcombe Corn Mills, from which the station gets it's name. The line appears on the 1899 and 1910 maps. 02.06.2007
Looking north at Barcombe Mills station. On the extreme left is the notice relating to flooding of the River Ouse, and the track would have run across a level crossing directly in front of the camera. 27.07.2008
Just to the right of the tree was the site of Barcombe Mills signal box. Directly in front of the tree is a post from the original level crossing, which is now almost completely covered by the undergrowth. 27.07.2008
One of the former level crossing gates at Barcombe Mills Station, almost completely swallowed by undergrowth. 03.04.2013 6570
Looking east down the former trackbed, which is now a licensed bridleway to Anchor Lane, a mile to the east. The track is also used by farmers for access to some adjacent private fields. 02.06.2007
A short distance to the east a public footpath crossed the track, and steps were provided on each side of the embankment. They still survive. This view looks south, the steps leading towards Barcombe House. 27.07.2008
The steps on the north side of the cutting are also still operational, and the footpath rejoins the road through Barcombe Mills further north. 27.07.2008
The view back west from the Barcombe House footpath towards Barcombe Mills station. The building in the far distance is the ticket office and the line curves to pass into the station to the left of the building. 27.07.2008
Turning round, this view looks east from the Barcombe House footpath. 27.07.2008
Slightly further east the track emerges from the cutting leading to Barcombe Mills station, This view looks east and in the far distance a lush group of trees mark the route of Bevern Stream. 27.07.2008
The approach to Bevern Stream bridge, looking east. 27.07.2008
A view west from the same spot, looking back in the direction of Barcombe Mills station. 27.07.2008
The double track bridge over Bevern Stream remains in good condition. This view looks east across the bridge. 27.07.2008
The northern parapet of the Bevern Stream bridge, with typical railway set-back railings which give good clearance. 27.07.2008
The southern parapet of Bevern Stream bridge has identical railings. Not too much danger from passing trains now, but handy for watching the stream flow below. 27.07.2008
The reverse of the previous view looking west across the bridge. The hills in the far distance are Offham Hill and Mount Harry, north west of Lewes. They are a greater distance away than the picture suggests. 27.07.2008
Looking back west, through the trees that border Bevern Stream. The trees and bushes along the stream form a useful wildlife corridor. 27.07.2008
Looking east from Bevern Stream as the track continues towards Anchor Inn. Parts of this track are quite exposed, and not the place to get caught in the rain! 27.07.2008
As the track draws close to the River Ouse the wide bridleway turns north west and the route of the railway heads east into a narrow tunnel of undergrowth. The 1899 map shows a siding sweeping off to the right at this point, serving Barcombe Flour Mill. There is nothing to be seen at ground level, but the route of the siding track bed can still just be made out on Google Earth. The former mill building survives, but cannot be seen from the bridleway. 27.07.2008
Looking west back along the wide bridleway from the same point. 27.07.2008