Cryptic micro cache near the site of an ancient church, complete with stunning views and lots to do.
Search for the memorial stone marking the remains of a church, which once stood in the village of Exceat. The cache is hidden nearby.
LOCAL INFORMATION
Exceat Church
The church was mentioned in the Domesday Book and is thought to date from around 1050-1080, when it would have commanded views over Cuckmere Haven. The extent of the surrounding village is still somewhat unknown, though one school of thought is that Exceat may have been established as a Saxon fishing village. Whatever its origins, during the 12th Century Exceat was as important as West Dean in the local area, and paid more in taxes to the King than Lewes.
However, tragedy struck as the years went by. Mortalities from the Black Death and continuing raids by marauding Frenchmen combined to depopulate the village. By the mid 15th Century, only two inhabited houses remained in the settlement. The parish itself survived until 3rd March 1528, after which it became part of the parish of West Dean. The sole remaining family is believed to have moved to the current location of the Exceat Farm.The remains of the church were revealed by archaeological excavations undertaken in 1913..
The River Cuckmere and its Meanders
Rising near Heathfield approximately 20 miles away, the Cuckmere flows through East Sussex to its estuary at Cuckmere Haven, which is the only undeveloped river mouth along the Sussex coast. The meanders you can see to the west, however, are not entirely natural features. In 1846 the course of the river was straightened and canalised, to prevent flooding upstream and aid navigation to Alfriston. Whilst the meanders are still fed by sluice gates, the restricted flow of water has resulted in silt deposits, which are slowly closing off the meanders. There is currently a lot of debate about the future of the flood defences and the meanders.
The Seven Sisters
Following the South Downs Way south from the cache site will take you to the Seven Sisters, a series of chalk hills along a cliff face, where the South Downs meet and erode into the sea. The Seven Sisters are to the South Downs what the white cliffs of Dover are to the North Downs. However, because the North Downs are protected from erosion by the port of Dover, the South Downs are less vegetated and often appear whiter. The iconic beauty of the white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters are rivalled only by the spectacular views out to sea from their summits.
DISCOVERING MORE
There is a five mile (eight kilometre) circular walk established by the Wealden District Council which passes close to the cache site towards the end.
Nearby points of interest:
- Seven Sisters Visitor Centre
PERMISSIONS
Thank you to East Sussex County Council for permission to place this cache.