Hastings Country Park is an area of about 850 acres to the east of Hastings in East Sussex. It is a gorgeous spot and well worth making time to explore.
Within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Hastings Country Park is a Local Nature Reserve and some of it is a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. To you and I, it is a magnificent and undulating part of the Sussex coast that includes cliffs, glens covered with gorse and forest, and secluded coves. It runs from East Hill (Hastings Old Town and a designated Ancient Monument) to Fairlight and the edge of Fairlight Cove and is a magical place to explore.
There is parking at The Stade in Hastings, off Barley Road at Ecclesbourne, off the Fairlight Road and at Fairlight. Useful resources include the Friends of the Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve website.
Visitor Centre
The Bale House Visitor Centre is at Fairlight and is worth a detour. It is a straw bale building made using natural, recycled and local materials and crafts and built by a small group of artisan builders. It opened in 2021. It has a café and lots of information and they host events. But do check opening times. You’ll find them on Facebook and Instagram but when we last checked there was a problem with their website.
Walking
The Saxon Shore Way and the Coastal Path run along the coastal edge of the park. The path rises and falls, one minute affording spectacular views of the cliffs and sea beyond, before you find yourself heading into jungle style wooded glens, with steep narrow paths and steps taking you up and down the coast’s curves. If you just want to do this as a linear walk, it’s about 5 km from Fairhurst Cove to Hastings via three steep valleys – Ecclesbourne Glen, Fairlight Glen and Warren Glen.
However, the joy of this park is that there are dozens of paths and plenty of circular routes you can enjoy.
For example, you can walk from Hastings East Hill to the Visitor Centre at Fairlight via the coastal path and then walk back via part of the 1066 Country Walk (Hastings Link) which is about 9 km. You could also park at the Fairlight Road car park near North’s Seat and explore dozens of circular routes of varying distances from there.
Wildlife
This is a wildlife paradise. From mystical oak trees with curly branches to rare and scarce liverworts, mosses and lichens. Of course, there are birds a plenty like Dartford warblers, stonechats and yellowhammers.
Things to look out for
Apart from the wonderful views, there are some interesting things to see.
North’s Seat
Start at North’s Seat for fantastic views. It’s the highest spot in the borough and has a trig point. It used to have a viewing platform which was demolished in 1982.
Fairlight dripping well
No more than about one kilometre from North’s Seat is Fairlight dripping well. This is a rather magical rock formation from which water cascades gently down into a rockpool before being carried away down the cliffs to sea by a rocky, winding brook.
Covehurst Bay
Covehurst Bay (carry on towards the sea from the dripping well) is a beautiful and secluded bay which you access via a steep rocky path that includes a section where you pull yourself down or up on a rope. Again, it is a magical spot which feels like it’s from another era and surely one of the most secluded beaches in Sussex. It is also a nudist beach and clothing is optional.
Ecclesbourne and the hermit’s cave
Ecclesbourne Glen is the first valley you come to as you leave Hastings. There is a reservoir here and see if you can find the hermit’s cave. It’s south west of the reservoir and was once home to one John Hancox, a draper who fell on hard times.
Fire Hills
Fire Hills is the open cliff top area just before you come into Fairlight Cove. It has amazing views towards France and you may find that your phone picks up a French network and sends you a Welcome to France text!
East Hill
Finish your exploring at East Hill with its incredible views across Hastings. Walk around the earthworks that were once an Iron Age cliff castle and see if you can trace the outline of St George’s Churchyard dating back to 1291. Sometimes there is an ice-cream van on East Hill where you can indulge before heading down the many steps or catching the funicular back down into town.
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