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t plants and animals. M t cle rout r disabled cy edge ing ing fo ess poin b
rk rk for your safety rm elds (no access unless icnic area Pa Pa Map boards Fa waymarked) Seasonal barbecue facilities P National on designated route only Acc Main access poin Café Pu ee Ness L
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2 The cliffs are unstable due to natural erosion. rehills
26 WARNING l ve Fi There is no longer access to Ecclesbourne Glen ett Le
Please from the East Hill. Landslips continue to make , please keep dogs under control. y. to P ootpaths
et this area unsafe. To access the Glen and the
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y rest of the nature reserve please follow the d e
2 diversions signs from Rocklands Lane. y to close f onies roaming 24 . oast Guar ottages or public saf ntre P C C Ce TE: P ve boundar airlight Church adar
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or disabled access t notice f P tional bollards essible path
rmissive path The park lies to the East of Hastings and can be reached PLEASE NO P may be necessar iewpoints onies and cattle roaming ootpath oilets oilets f ollow diversions f P dogs under control. Nature Reser F Steps Acc Pe T T Direc V Ancient Monument Sit It at shor 23 either by car via Fairlight Road, by bus from Hastings or ry y Rye, or by foot via the East Hill (see map). TE: 27 Ke 22 PLEASE NO en rr arren Glen ood Disused Quar
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and early 19th century smuggling trade. Using makeshift
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Nature Reserve Nature
pulleys known as ‘Derricks’, the Smugglers often winched
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airlight
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Hastings country park
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If you have been inspired by this beautiful nature B
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reserve, its landscape and wildlife then please join
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series of events throughout the year. Details are available C
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Rock Holiday A series of conservation events and tasks are
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organised at the reserve. For more information
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contact [email protected] or visit the councils
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Hastings Country Park Hastings Country Park
Facebook page for information on all events.
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E H T HASTINGS OLD A259 to Bexhill Peregrine The site is most well Exmoor ponies and Belted Galloway cattle can be found Warren Glen wildlife known for the spring and roaming within a wide area of the Country Park. They are Historically important site, farmed by Stone Age Much of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve is of autumn migration that can the most effective and sustainable way to manage large inhabitants and used as a free rabbit warren in 1254 national and European importance for its special wildlife be witnessed here. Most areas of the Nature Reserve. These animals are intelligent and 1317 (hence the name). Impressive show of and habitats, which is why it has been designated a Site conspicuous is the inshore and resourceful, will graze the grass and regrowth from spring flowers. of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of migration of brent geese tree stumps, young gorse and other scrub. Conservation (SAC). The diverse cliff vegetation, which and common scoter in You may well come across a pony or Beltie on your walk. includes specialist cliff plants such as thrift and hoary spring and the spectacular Please be aware that these animals are wild and although stock, acid grassland, heathland, freshwater marsh and swallow, house martin and they will welcome you on your walk, we respectfully ask you ancient gill woodlands are all found along this unique woodpigeon migration in not to feed them and to keep your dog/s under control. area of maritime cliff. autumn. Many continental birds and insects use the site on migration and rarer migrants such as wryneck, red-rumped swallow, pallas’s warbler, and yellow-browed warbler have been seen in Fairlight Glen recent years. Romantic haven Lovers Seat was once located near here but has now been lost due to erosion leaving only a Long-horned bee stone in its place. Many interesting plants and animals together with popular Victorian attraction The Dripping Well. (John Logie Baird is said to have drawn inspiration for the idea of television whilst on a long walk over Fairlight Glen). Heather
The gill woodlands, Warren Wood, Fairlight Glen and Belted Galloway cattle Ecclesbourne Glen Ecclesbourne Glen, are of national importance for the Heavily wooded with many ferns and mosses, this was rare and very sensitive mosses and liverworts which the landing place and entrance to the Iron Age hill fort. thrive here. These glens are also outstanding in spring places of interest A Coastguard watchtower was built here in 1819. for the stunning display of bluebells, wood anemones and yellow archangel that carpet the woodland floor. East Hill These woodlands also support an important population The visitor centre Important historical and archaeological site with fine of dormice. Fascinating history, geology and wildlife displays. views of Hastings Old Town. Barbecue facilities provided. The heathland, cliffs, cliff top grassland and woodland Open Friday to Sunday only. are home to many rare and unusual insects, some of Fairlight Road picnic site Hastings Country Park Nature Wheatear which are found in very few other places in the country. Quiet area, ideal for picnics. Barbecue facilities provided. Reserve is an outstanding site The Firehills The sandy heathland and acid grassland is home to for bird watching. Noteable many different ground nesting bees, wasps and beetles, Main car park and visitor centre. Excellent views North’s Seat species include peregrine falcon, including the bee-wolf wasp and green tiger beetle. to France and Dover across panorama of colourful Highest point in Hastings. Fine views of Wealden Sussex. yellowhammer, raven, buzzard, The sandy cliffs are home to a large population of grey Heathland. Two ‘Access for All’ trails are present, which Named after Frederick North, formerly Hastings Mayor, linnet, dartford warbler and bush-crickets, long-horned bees and six-belted are suitable for wheelchairs, leading to picnic tables and local MP and father of biologist and botanical artist wheatear. clear-wing moths. stunning viewpoints. Marianne North.
contacts 01424 451066 ask for ‘Parks’ welcome... or email [email protected] A picturesque nature reserve of national importance with stunning coastal views sited within For more information the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. hastings.gov.uk/countryside_nature The nature reserve has 345 hectares (853 acres) of ancient gill woodland, heathland, grassland In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard or one and farmland together with 5 kilometres of dramatic sandstone cliffs and coastline. Much of the other Emergency Services. of the area has been designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Site of Special You report it, we’ll sort it! Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the unique wildlife & fossil rich soft rock cliff and slope. Access your council services online Help us protect this extraordinary nature reserve. When visiting, PLEASE follow the countryside at my.hastings.gov.uk code, walk on designated footpaths and be careful of farm machinery and livestock. Cycling on designated route only. No access to farm fields unless waymarked.
Remember: • Pick up after your dog • Keep dogs under control • Barbecues are only permitted in designated areas at the East Hill and the Fairlight Road picnic sites • The use of metal detectors is prohibited • Do not pick wildflowers, please Produced by Hastings Borough Council - June 2018. Photographs by Bob Mazzer, Julie Apps, Andy Phillips and Map Inside leave for everyone to enjoy Mali Halls. Map by Paul Collycutt. 01424 451066 my.hastings.gov.uk