A gentle walk around this stunning Local Nature Reserve alongside the River Ouse, on an old railway marshalling yard.
Walk Summary
Location: Lewes, East Sussex, South East England
Distance: 1.1 miles (1.8 km)
The walk is circular
Ascent: 6 metres (19.7 feet)
Type of walk: Nature Reserve, Riverside, Wetland
Points of interest: Bird watching, Heritage site, Nature and wildlife, Pond, Wetland
Protected Landscapes: South Downs National Park
Trails and Ways: Egrets Way
Getting here
Starting point: Friars Walk car park
Postcode: BN7 2RF
Grid reference: TQ 419 101
W3W: ///property.erupt.bracelet
End point: The walk is circular
Parking: Dedicated accessible parking, Electric vehicle charging, In a car park, Paid for parking
Car park opening times are all day Maximum stay 2 hours, no return within 2 hours. Parking also available at Lewes railway station which is paid for with a height barrier of 2.1 metres.
Public Transport: Train
From Lewes railway station head to the car park. Next to the yellow car park barrier turn onto Pinwell Road and follow alongside the railings. When the railings end, turn right and follow the footpath into the Railway Land Nature Reserve.
Cost of entry: Free
Starting point: Friars Walk car parkPostcode: BN7 2RF
Grid reference: TQ 419 101
W3W: ///property.erupt.bracelet
End point: The walk is circular
Parking: Dedicated accessible parking, Electric vehicle charging, In a car park, Paid for parkingCar park opening times are all day Maximum stay 2 hours, no return within 2 hours. Parking also available at Lewes railway station which is paid for with a height barrier of 2.1 metres.
Public Transport: TrainFrom Lewes railway station head to the car park. Next to the yellow car park barrier turn onto Pinwell Road and follow alongside the railings. When the railings end, turn right and follow the footpath into the Railway Land Nature Reserve.
Cost of entry: Free
Facilities
Seats available 
Toilets available Accessible, Changing Places, Male and Female
Toilets located in Friars Walk car park. Accessible toilet requires a RADAR key and Changing Places toilet also requires a key.
Food and drink available Cafe/s nearby, Pub/s nearby, Shop/s nearby, Takeaway/s nearby, Town
No shelter Not a waymarked route
Information boards available
No staff available to assist
Dog waste bin available
Seats available Toilets available Accessible, Changing Places, Male and FemaleToilets located in Friars Walk car park. Accessible toilet requires a RADAR key and Changing Places toilet also requires a key.
Food and drink available Cafe/s nearby, Pub/s nearby, Shop/s nearby, Takeaway/s nearby, TownLewes shops, cafes, pubs and takeaways are the other side of Friars Walk car park to the route.
No shelter Not a waymarked route Information boards available No staff available to assist Dog waste bin available
Accessibility summary
Not wheelchair accessible
Steps and narrow, muddy and uneven paths with exposed tree routes.
Not pushchair accessible
No stiles
There are steps, there are 16 steps
Not touch free
There are gates, narrowest 120cm wide
No narrow gaps
Not all paths are over one metre wide
Walking surface: boardwalk, compact mud and stones, grass, may be muddy in places, may be puddles in places, may be slippery in places, may flood in places, mud, paved or tarmac
Includes well used paths and less well used paths
No road crossings
Not car free, includes: road crossings, walking alongside roads on pavements
Not wheelchair accessible
Steps and narrow, muddy and uneven paths with exposed tree routes.
Not pushchair accessible
No stiles
There are steps, there are 16 steps
Not touch free
There are gates, narrowest 120cm wide
No narrow gaps
Not all paths are over one metre wide
Walking surface: boardwalk, compact mud and stones, grass, may be muddy in places, may be puddles in places, may be slippery in places, may flood in places, mud, paved or tarmac
Includes well used paths and less well used paths
No road crossings
Not car free, includes: road crossings, walking alongside roads on pavements
Route number: LEWE001Added by: One Mile WalksVerified by: One Mile Walks
Last reviewed: August 2026
Photo credit: Photos by Matt Overd
Organisations: Lewes Railway Land Wildlife Trust
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