Bibliography - Cuckmere Valley, Wealden District, East Sussex
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The Flora of Eastbourne being an introduction to the flowering plants, ferns, etc., of the Cuckmere District, East Sussex, with a map, by Freeman Clark S. Roper, F.L.s., F.G.S., published 1875 (xliii + 165 pp., London: John Van Voorst) accessible at: & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries   View Online

The Capture of the Merchant Ship 'St. Paul', in Cuckmere Bay, Sussex, by Robert Garraway Rice, published 1899 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 42, article, pp.87-103) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2127] & The Keep [LIB/500260] & S.A.S. library   View Online

The mouth of the River Cuckmere, by Vera K. Isaac, published 1915 in Geographical Teacher (article, pp.192-194)

Seaford and the Valley of the Cuckmere, by R. Thurston Hopkins, published 1921 in Kipling's Sussex (Chapter VIII, pp.135-150, London: Simkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16008][Lib 17091] & The Keep [LIB/504753] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries   View Online

Everyman's Sussex - The Countryside in varying moods and seasons, by Richard Gilbert, published 1927 (128 pp., London: Robert Scott) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12398][Lib 15309] & East Sussex Libraries

Cuckmere Haven, by W. Rentall Read, published 1932 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. VI no. 9, article, pp.565-567) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9325] & The Keep [LIB/500175]

Old Dovecotes in the Cuckmere Valley, by William Law, published 1932 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. VI no. 10, article, pp.635-640) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9325] & The Keep [LIB/500175]

The Stratigraphy of the Chalk of Sussex. Part II. Eastern Area - Seaford to Cuckmere Valley and Eastbourne, with Zonal Map, by Christopher T. A. Gaster, F.G.S., published 1939 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 50 issue 4, article, pp.510-526)   View Online

This paper, which forms the second part of a comprehensive survey of the Chalk of Sussex, records the results of a survey of the Chalk extending from Seaford to the Cuckmere Valley and Eastbourne, a distance of 7 miles. The width of the outcrop from the escarpment on the north to the chalk cliffs on the coast being approximately five miles. The area dealt with is included in parts of Sheets 334 (Eastbourne) and 319 (Lewes) of the Geological Survey. The three major divisions of Lower, Middle and Upper Chalk shown on those sheets are replaced in the present work by detailed zonal results which are shown on the accompanying map.

The Sussex Rivers, by David L. Linton, published November 1956 in Geography (vol. 41, no. 4, article, pp.233-247, Geographical Association) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507956]   View Online

Two Vanished Bridges on the Cuckmere, by Richard Gilbert, published May 1963 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XVI no. 1, article, pp.4-6) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8234] & The Keep [LIB/500218] & S.A.S. library

Vanished Cuckmere Bridges, by Richard Gilbert, published May 1963 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XVI no. 1, note, p.27) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8234] & The Keep [LIB/500218] & S.A.S. library

A Late Iron Age Site, East of Cuckmere, by Spencer F. Swaffer, published May 1964 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XVI no. 3, note, p.102) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8234] & The Keep [LIB/500218] & S.A.S. library

Charleston Bridge, by Richard Gilbert, published May 1966 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XVI no. 7, note, p.247) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8234] & The Keep [LIB/500218] & S.A.S. library

Ferries in Sussex, continued, by G. D. Johnston, published May 1967 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XVI no. 9, article, pp.305-311) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8234] & The Keep [LIB/500218] & S.A.S. library

Barracks at Cuckmere Haven, by Richard Gilbert, published November 1970 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XVII no. 6, note, pp.197-198) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8235] & The Keep [LIB/500219] & S.A.S. library

Loess in the Weald, by P. J. Burrin, published 1981 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 92 issue 2, article, pp.87-92)   View Online

An investigation into the floodplain and valley fill sediments of the Rivers Ouse and Cuckmere in the southern Weald has shown that the alluvium consists predominantly of silt-sized material. These would normally be interpreted as fluvial sediments produced by the erosion of local rocks. The homogeneity and general characteristics of these deposits are more satisfactorily explained as loessal-derived sediments. This finding provides some insight into the formerly more widespread deposition of loess in the Weald.

The Cuckmere: Another Sussex River, by Edna & 'Mac' McCarthy, published 1 May 1981 (132 pp., Lindel Organisation Ltd., ISBN-10: 0950235466 & ISBN-13: 9780950235462) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

The character and evolution of floodplains with specific reference to the rivers Ouse and Cuckmere, Sussex., by Paul J. Burrin, 1983 at London School of Economics and Political Science (Ph.D. thesis)

The genesis, development, character, spatial variability and sedimentary composition of floodplains have been a much neglected study in the geomorphological literature. This is evidenced by the fact that the three most recent authoritative texts on fluvial geomorphology devote less than 2% of available space to this drainage basin component. As floodplains are one of the most extensive and widespread of fluvial landforms, this lack of analysis is important and surprising. It is the objective of this study partially to redress this previous neglect and to provide a better understanding of this important landform. Following a critical review of previous floodplain geomorphological and sedimentological studies, attention is focused on detailed case studies of floodplain development in the Oise and Cuckmere valleys, two small catchments in the southern Weald. Geornorphological maps have been constructed which are used to to describe floodplain form-process relationships. Subsurface investigations by hand-augering techniques at nineteen locations within the two valleys have enabled the form of the underlying sub-alluvial surfaces and the nature and thickness of the overlying litho-stratigraphic units to be described. A classification of the various types of valley rockhead encountered is outlined and form-lithology relationships investigated. Earlier interpretations of sub-alluvial surfaces are rejected for research has indicated that they are better explained as ccaplex, composite, polygenetic, diachronous response surfaces. The alluvial geometry of the fill sequences is discussed and analysed. The sedimentological and mineralogical characteristics of these deposits are analysed by a number of techniques including scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction. Results indicate that the fine-grained alluvial fill deposits comprising these floodplain tracts appear to consist largely of reworked aeolian (loe"ss) sediments with varying inclusions of locally derived materials. Further sampling and analyses of the alluvium found in floodplains throughout the Weald have indicated that deposits with characteristics similar to those in the Ouse and Cuckmere valleys are to be found, which provides an indication of the former widespread deposition of loess in this area. A working model of floodplain and valley development is derived for the Holocene period using palynological and radiocarbon evidence. This is then used to re-examine some of the previous concepts regarding the origins and evolution of floodplains, including a re-evaluation of Dury's meandering valley and underfit stream model as it relates to south-east England.

The Environmental Impact of Prehistoric Man as recorded in the Upper Cuckmere Valley at Stream farm, Chiddingly, by Robert G. Scaife and P. J. Burrin, published 1985 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 123, article, pp.27-34) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9514] & The Keep [LIB/500310] & S.A.S. library

The Medieval Churches of the Cuckmere Valley, by Helen Clarke and Peter E. Leach, published 1985 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 123, article, pp.95-108) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9514] & The Keep [LIB/500310] & S.A.S. library

Exploring Alfriston and the Cuckmere Valley, by Sandy Hernu, published 22 May 1992 (48 pp., Seaford: S. B. Publications, ISBN-10: 1857700147 & ISBN-13: 9781857700145) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

A Natural History of the Cuckmere Valley, by Patrick Coulcher, published 1997 (Book Guild Publishing Ltd., ISBN-10: 1857761588 & ISBN-13: 9781857761580) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Operation Cuckmere Haven: Investigation into Military Aspects of the Cuckmere Valley, East Sussex, by Peter Longstaff-Tyrell, published December 1997 (80 pp., Polegate: Gote House Publishing, ISBN-10: 095212971X & ISBN-13: 9780952129714) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Wildlife Walks around the Cuckmere Valley, by Patrick Coulcher, published 1 March 2002 (104 pp., Seaford: S. B. Publications, ISBN-10: 1857702476 & ISBN-13: 9781857702477) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Explore the beautiful and easily accessible parts of the Cuckmere Valley from Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters to Arlington Reservoir. The author and guide, Patrick Coulcher has selected 10 individual walks which describe the beauty of the countryside and where to find and see the great diversity of wildlife during the months of the year. The practical and long awaited guide to complement the author's best selling book 'A Natural History of the Cuckmere Valley' with 11 maps,100 sketches and photographs, 33 in colour.
The author, Patrick Coulcher was educated at Eastbourne College. He graduated from the Royal Air Force College in 1957 and spent the next 38 years as a fighter pilot and instructor. He retired in 1992 and is now actively involved in the environment and conservation. He has written several books on natural history.

Reflections from the Cuckmere Valley: 200 Years of Industry and Intrigue, by Peter Longstaff-Tyrell, published 22 January 2003 (Polegate: Gote House Publishing, ISBN-10: 0952129787 & ISBN-13: 9780952129783) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/502339] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Operation Cuckmere Haven, by Peter Longstaff-Tyrell, published 2004 (2nd edition, 96 pp., Polegate: Gote House Publishing, ISBN-10: 095212971X & ISBN-13: 9780952129714) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries

Evidence for the prehistoric occupation of the Upper Cuckmere Valley, by Mike Seager Thomas, published 2004 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 142, shorter article, pp.127-131) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15489] & The Keep [LIB/500360] & S.A.S. library   View Online

Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex, by William Foot, published 2006 in The battlefields that nearly were: defended England 1940 (pp.82-88, Stroud: Tempus, ISBN-10: 0752438492 & ISBN-13: 9780752438498) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

A Natural History of the Cuckmere Valley, by Patrick Coulcher, published 24 January 2006 (revised edition, Seaford: S. B. Publications, ISBN-10: 1846240573 & ISBN-13: 9781846240577)

In the Footsteps of Time: Geology and Landscape of Cuckmere Valley and Downs, by Monty Larkin and illustrated by Gabrielle Vinyard, published 12 September 2007 (82 pp., Uckfield: Ulmus Books, ISBN-10: 0955336805 & ISBN-13: 9780955336805) accessible at: British Library & East Sussex Libraries

This illustrated well-received book published in 2006 provides a readable, in-depth source of knowledge on the geology and landscape of an area centred on the Cuckmere Valley in East Sussex. The text concentrates on an area broadly bound by Eastbourne, Newhaven, Lewes and Hailsham, with limited reference to features outside those margins. It is written at an intermediate level for country lovers, students and all those with an enquiring mind. It is not intended as a substitute for the standard reference books and sources on the subject.
The layout of the book attempts to keep to the principle of a 'timeline,' presenting processes and events in chronological order. The book begins with the area's basic geology starting with its main constituent - chalk, followed by the lesser components: enquiring into their origin, structure and development into today's landscape. This is followed by chapters on key periods and landscape forms. Key terms are highlighted with further facts provided in numbered text boxes, with a list of further reading at the end of the book. It is illustrated with 20 black and white images and 11 line drawings.
The focus of this book, is seated within the long spine of the South Downs, part of the English southern chalk uplands. The undoubted `stars' of these geological formations are the spectacular white chalk cliffs between Eastbourne and Seaford including Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters.

The blackflies of the Cuckmere valley (Diptera: Simuliidae), by R.J. Post, published 2008 in Entomologist's Gazette (vol. 59, no. 2, article, p.117)

Reflections from the Cuckmere Valley, 250 years of industry and intrigue, by Peter Longstaff-Tyrell, published 2011 (new edition, Polegate: Gote House) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries