Balcombe Ouse Valley Viaduct Walk

This circular walk takes you to the impressive Ouse Valley Viaduct from Ardingly Reservoir near Balcombe. It's a short but popular walk with the ornate structure one of the most photographed sights in the area.
Walk Report October 3rd 2026 by Ian Jameson
I headed to Ardingly Reservoir on a mild autumn day for this circular walk to the historic Ouse Valley Viaduct.... The weather was bright and settled, which made the walk particularly enjoyable, with the reservoir looking lovely in the sunshine and plenty of good views as I followed the paths towards the River Ouse. I started from the southern end of the reservoir and enjoyed the peaceful waterside section before heading out into the surrounding countryside.
The path soon brought me alongside the River Ouse, which I followed west towards the viaduct. There was a nice mixture of woodland, open fields and riverside scenery along the way, and I liked the fact that the viaduct gradually appeared in the distance rather than being visible from the start. The walk from the reservoir was a little longer and more challenging than I had expected, with some muddy sections and less obvious navigation in places, so it was worth taking my time and keeping an eye on the route.
I was thrilled to see a great crested grebe on Ardingly Reservoir, and there were plenty of other birds around the water and surrounding countryside. The reservoir is a particularly peaceful part of the walk, with trees and open water creating a very different atmosphere from the fields around the viaduct. One thing I did notice was that there was very little mobile signal in parts of the walk, so having the route downloaded or using an OS map is definitely useful.
Eventually the Ouse Valley Viaduct came fully into view and it was even more impressive standing beneath its huge brick arches. The ornate Victorian structure stretches across the valley above the River Ouse and is one of those landmarks that looks impressive in photographs but has much more impact when you are standing underneath it. I spent some time taking photographs and looking up at the arches before continuing along the route.
After leaving the viaduct, the walk heads through more open countryside towards Rylands Farm and Stonehall Cottages. This section was quieter and gave me some good views back towards the viaduct, which looked particularly striking across the fields. There are a few gentle climbs along the way, but nothing that made the walk feel particularly strenuous.
I then followed the countryside paths back towards Ardingly Reservoir, enjoying the change of scenery as the water gradually came back into view. By the time I reached the reservoir again, it felt like I'd had a good mixture of everything that makes this part of Sussex attractive, from peaceful water and wildlife to farmland and one of the area's most impressive historic structures. The café at the reservoir was a welcome sight when I got back, and it was a lovely place to stop for a snack and enjoy the views over the water.
For me, the appeal of the Ouse Valley Viaduct Walk is the combination of countryside scenery with such an impressive landmark. The reservoir and River Ouse provide a peaceful setting, while the viaduct gives the walk a real focal point. Allow a little more time than you might expect from the distance, particularly if conditions are muddy, but the extra effort is well worth it for the views and the chance to see this remarkable piece of Victorian engineering up close.
To continue your exercise try our Ardingly Reservoir Walk which will take you along the water to the village of Balcombe. You could also pick up the epic Sussex Ouse Valley Way. The splendid waterside walk follows the River Ouse from its source near Lower Beeding to the coast at Seaford Bay. The first part of this walk uses a section of the trail which you can follow south to Lindfield or west to Staplefield.
Pubs and More Info
The Lindfield Walk starts from the worthy village, located just south of the site. The settlement is well worth a visit with a lovely large village pond, a 13th century church and a fascinating High Street. The historic street is lined with lime trees, and includes over forty medieval and post medieval timber-framed houses.
Head south west towards Cuckfield and you could explore the beautiful Nymans Gardens. Also to the south west of Cuckfield there's Bolney where you could pay a visit to the impressive Bolney Wine Estate. Here you can enjoy guided tours of the vineyard and learn all about the history of the wine making process. The pretty village also includes a noteworthy 12th century church, several listed buildings and the well known Bolney Stage pub which is hundreds of years old.
For more walking ideas in the area see the High Weald Walks page.

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The northern end of Ouse Valley Viaduct, 2 miles south of Balcombe, West Sussex, photographed from the east. The construction of the viaduct took about 11 million bricks which were mostly shipped up the River Ouse (via Newhaven and Lewes) from the Netherlands. The viaduct was officially opened to train services in the summer of 1841, although the structure was not fully completed until the following year.

Ouse Valley Viaduct, West Sussex. Also known locally as Balcombe Viaduct, photographed from Haywards Heath Road just south of Balcombe. Known for its ornate design, the structure has been described as "probably the most elegant viaduct in Britain."

View of Balcombe Viaduct and Stone Hall from Borde Hill. The viaduct is 96 feet (29 m) high and is carried on 37 semi-circular arches, each of 30 feet (9.1 m), surmounted by balustrades, spanning a total length of 1,480 feet (450 m). The structure suffered considerable decay during the 20th century. During the 1990s it was subject to an extensive restoration by national rail infrastructure owner Railtrack.

Stone Hall

Balcombe Place, Balcombe

 Ardingly Reservoir. Next to the old Balcombe mill pond, the stream used to meander through the woods. Now the reservoir makes an inlet and the herons can search for fish.

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