The Beast of Barcombe

Since the 1990s, residents of Barcombe and surrounding villages in the Lewes area have reported sightings of a large, cat-like creature. The Beast of Barcombe, as it has become known, joins the many phantom big cats reported across Sussex.

The Location

Barcombe is a village a few miles north of Lewes, surrounded by farmland and the South Downs. The area provides cover and prey that could sustain a large predator.

The Sightings

Witnesses describe a large, dark cat, larger than any domestic breed. It has been seen crossing fields, prowling hedgerows, and occasionally on the edges of the village itself. Sightings occur throughout the year.

The Evidence

Livestock have been killed in patterns consistent with big cat predation. Unusual paw prints have been found in soft ground. Some witnesses have photographed something, though images remain inconclusive.

The 2005 Incident

A particularly dramatic sighting occurred in 2005 when a motorist nearly collided with a large black cat crossing the road near Barcombe Mills. The animal paused, looked at the car, and then disappeared into the undergrowth.

The Explanations

Suggested explanations include escaped exotic pets, a breeding population of big cats, and misidentified domestic cats or other animals. The witnesses, many of them farmers familiar with local wildlife, are certain of what they saw.

Assessment

The Beast of Barcombe represents the persistence of big cat sightings in Sussex. Whether an actual unknown animal or a phenomenon of perception and folklore, reports continue to accumulate.