The Southdown Angling Association, which offers a range of streams to suit most preferences, owns the River Cuckmere.

The Cuckmere begins its journey north of Heathfield before heading south and then west in the direction of the Bull River, which is its main tributary. The only undeveloped river mouth in Sussex, Exceat, is where it finally empties into the sea after continuing to flow south to join the larger Cuckmere stream at Hellingly. Given the speeds it achieves as it hurtles 100 metres downhill over the first 4 miles of its voyage to the sea, it seems possible that the name Cuckmere, which means fast-flowing, was given to the river. Because it runs across impervious Wealden Clay, it has a dazzling appearance.

The Long Man of Wilmington, a 231-foot-tall chalk carving that may date from the sixth century, dominates the river valley through the South Downs on its east side. Bream, a few carp, chub, some dace, eels, gudgeon, perch, pike, roach, and rudd are all present in all bodies of water.