Hastings Circular via Fairlight Glen Beach and Fireheights Walk

About 13 km / 8 miles return.

Ascent: The figure below are for the way out. The return route is downhill, so subtract 130 metres from these figures for the way back. So, out and back by the cliff top path, and visiting Fairlight Glen beach, is about 2500 feet / 775 metres

a) Main cliff-top path : 400m (1,325 ft) of ascent, plus 100m (300 feet) if visiting the beach

b) Beach route : 220 metres ascent

c) Inland route : 2 km longer, 180m ascent

d) Inland route via North's Seat : 2 km longer, 220m ascent

This is a dramatic and hilly coastal cliff top walk from Hastings to the hidden and very pretty Fairlight Glen beach (which is used by naturists), and on to to Fireheights beacon - with fine views of the surrounding coastline. There are 4 options for the return: a) by the same strenuous route, b) a beach route past a newly formed undercliff, c) a forested inland route which contours around some of the steep glens of the coast path, and d) as further inland route via North's Seat (hill). In fact any of the 4 routes could be used for either the out or return journey. Finally, at the start (or finish) of the walk, there is are options to visit Hasting's working sea front with its art gallery and shingle beach launched fishing boats, its old town with shops and cafes, and a city centre hill to visit the ruins of Hastings' castle.

There are already 2 SWC walks in this area, TOCW2 Hastings to Rye, and TOCW1 Rye to Hastings - this walk, and they, all share the dramatic cliff top walk out of Hastings. This walk aims to make a circular walk back to Hastings, giving time to visit Fairlight Glen beach, and further explore this very pretty coast. Why? Beyond Fireheights (the route onwards to Winchelsea and Rye), by Fairlight village, the coastal path has fallen away, and the new "coast path" is actually inland along (quiet) residential roads for quite some distance - an anti-climax after the coastal views at the start of the walk.

The walk starts in Hastings. Here you can either walk along the slightly tacky seafront to the old town, or climb over a hill to visit Hasting's castle

The 2 routes meet up at the old town, a narrow pedestrianised lane full of old pubs and small independent shops. In front of the old town is the working beach, with its distinctive black clapperboard houses, beach launched fishing boats, Jerwood Art Galley, and a nice view from the sea wall.

From here, there is a choice of 4 routes through Hastings County Park to Fireheights beacon, each is around 6 km / 4 miles

1) Main route: Cliff top path via Fairlight Glen

The best route, indeed, one of the best walks in southern England, but strenuous with 4 very steep hills to climb, is the cliff top path. There are coastal views throughout, steep ascents and descents, and places to explore if you wish to take your time. The first hill is at the end of the beach by the funicular railway, with views over the town, the castle hill and the seafront. Then you descend into Ecclesbourne Glen (valley), which has no beach access despite the appearance of a path (there's a cliff). Then its over another hill and down into the forested Fairlight Glen.

Here there is an option to visit Fairlight Glen Beach. At the valley bottom is a wooden fence, and warning sign saying the path to Fairlight Glen beach is closed. Don't be put off, the beach is a highlight of this walk. Clamber under the fence, and follow the path through the trees with glimpses of the sea ahead. It has wooden steps, and is very well maintained by locals rather than the County Park. The 'official' path was washed away by a landslip some years ago - the land here is moving, and forming an undercliff around Fairlight Glen beach. The beach is now (2012) particularly pretty - the landslip has been recolonised by plants. The bay surrounding the beach is an amphitheatre shaped bowl of trees, without a single building in site. The shingle beach is quite small at high tide, but at low tide the beach is quite large and sandy. There are submerged rocks, so if swimming, surf shoes are recommended. Even on a sunny day, there are usually only a few people on the beach, mainly naturists. The beach is marked on OS maps as Covehurst Bay, but most people refer to it as Fairlight Glen. See beach route below for more on beach walking.

Then its back to the cliff top path, to climb out of Fairlight Glen, in order to descend into Warren Glen. There are faint paths to the seaward side on the way down - these lead to a headland with fine views over Fairlight Beach - you could scramble down to the beach this way.

The 4th and final hill is Fireheights - a beacon point with some coastguards cottages, and dramatic views back to Hastings, and on over Kent to Dungerness and the north downs beyond Ashford. Here you can walk inland to the Coastguards Cafe or have a picnic before choosing your return route. Just past the cafe is the 18th C. St Andrew's Church. Its tower has a panoramic view, and is open weekends and bank holidays from May to September, and Friday afternoons during August.

On a sunny day, this walk is as good as it gets (in Southern England)

2) Beach route: Along the beach beneath the cliffs

The beach route is interesting, but it is very hard work hoping from rock to rock, or walking on shingle slopes. Do wear hiking boots! Beware of 2 things - tides - you will be cut off near Hastings at high tide, so make sure you do this on a falling tide. Also, as the coast is eroding, this is a "missile hazard zone" - i.e. falling rocks. After the black claperboard fishing huts at the end of the beach, carry on past a car park, and warning signs, and walk along the shingle or rocky seabed beneath the cliffs. This is easier at low tide, but still hard work. After 1 km you come to the mouth of Ecclesbourne Glen (no access - there's still a cliff). After another 1km, there is a new undercliff formed by collapsed cliffs, on which vegetation is just starting to grow. You can walk over the undercliff, or continue rock hopping. Eventually, after 1km you come to Fairlight Glen beach. Even though this route is flat, its much harder work than the cliff path! You do get to explore a new undercliff though.

It is possible to carry on (off route) along the beach past Fairlight Glen. The going is a bit easier, but still hard. You'll pass a new coast defence scheme (built in 2012), and after 3km, reach a lovely large sandy beach, with a concrete boulder sea wall in front of the collapsing cliffs. Note that there is no public coast access here from the cliffs above. You could easily climb up in an emergency, but you'd need to walk through someone's garden to reach the road. There were 2 public footpaths here, long since washed away, but there are no plans (as of 2012) to reinstate them (despite the coast protection work going on, involving a temporary road down to the beach). After the 1 km long bay is a headland where you will be cut off at high tide. Around it (0.5 km) is Petts Level beach. So only do this on a falling tide.

3) Inland route: Contour around the glens

There are many maps and signposts in the County Park, so navigation is easy - simply contour around the heads of the forested glens (valleys) on well kept paths. This walk is pleasant, but you don't get to see the sea which is temptingly close - an anti-climax after the cliff top path

4) Further Inland Route: via North's Seat

Head inland from Fireheights, towards the Coastguard's cafe. Follow a series of (level) paths to the disappointing summit of North's Seat. Although it's the summit of the series of hills that form the County Park, there is no view to speak of. Follow a quiet lane back to Hastings. Perfectly pleasant, but again an anticlimax after the cliff top path.

Conclusion

So, there is no really good answer to choosing you return route, the beach route is interesting, but far too much like hard work, and the other 2 routes are an anti-climax. If you are fit enough, or take you time, and stop off along the way to explore, picnic, or admire the view, out and back by the cliff top path is the best choice.

Trains from London Charing Cross, Waterloo East or London Bridge to Hastings take around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Trains are half hourly in the day, but check the return times, as they are much less frequent in the evenings.

There is a cheaper, but much longer route, from London Victoria / Clapham Junction / East Croydon to Hastings via Lewes - check the Southern train websites for Downrider or Daysave tickets if you book in advance

There are half-hourly buses between Hastings and Fireheights village – routes 100 and 344.

By Car: you can park by Fireheights, Fairlight village, or anywhere around the County Park away from Hastings seafront

Catch an earlier train, and have a fry-up at one of the cafes in the Old Town

Coastguards Tea Rooms, Coastguard Lane, Fairlight, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 4AB. Tel 01424 812 902. coastguardstearooms.co.uk Opening times: April to October: Weds-Sun and bank holidays 10am - 5pm November to mid December, and February to March: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11pm- 4pm. Quirky tea room, a few tables outside (no view), many inside - a few in the conservatory have a stunning views. Bottled beers at very reasonable prices.

Spoilt for choice in the old town, or a Wetherspoons just before the station

• St Andrew's Church, Fairlight
• Hastings County Park Wildlife - mainly birds
• Hastings County Park

The path down to Fairlight Glen naturist beach (Covehurst Bay on the OS map, but this name isn't used locally) has been officially "closed" for many years. However, the path is currently in good condition, as a local has been maintaining it, and he's done an excellent job. If walking up from the beach, look for subtle white paint on some trees by the start. If you can manage a style, you should be fine [Jun-21]

This area is very active - there are landslips every few years. From the beach, on a falling tide, it's possible to walk west to Hastings although it's heavy going over the pebbles. You pass a new undercliff on the way, but beware, there are no escape routes from the beach until Hastings. You can also walk east to Petts Level beach, passing a sandy beach below Fairlight village. Beware - you can only get around the headland at low tide. You could climb the cliff to Fairlight Village in an emergency (you'd have to trespass through someone's garden to get to the top).

• History of Hastings Country Park

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Mar-21 Andrew