HASTINGS & EAST SUSSEX
NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Our Walks & Talks  - scroll down to see all

Please see all the planned events where members and newcomers meet to walk and learn.

WALKS - 2025
 

HASTINGS & EAST SUSSEX NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY WALKS PROGRAMME

THURSDAY WALKS – SPRING AND SUMMER 2025​

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MARCH 27th :  Meet in  Furlongs Road, Alfriston, for a 10:30 start. There are usually plenty of parking spaces in the Furlongs and adjacent roads. A seven mile downland walk via Berwick, with a moderate climb at the start and another small hill, also one stile. A  mile from the end of the walk, pub lunch or picnic at Berwick. LEADER: Ron Padgham. Phone:07972 341692. Meeting point: BN26 5XQ, TQ51764 03410, /// slurping. newer. reset.                              

APRIL 3rd:  Meet by the Eight Bells pub by The Moor, Hawkhurst for a 10.15 am start.   A 4 ¾ mile  walk encircling much of Hawkhurst. Parking on the far side of the Moor or in front of the church in Horns Road. Picnic on the Moor or in St Laurence churchyard or lunch in The Eight Bells. LEADERS: Eric Cawthraw, tel: 07856 395083, Maggie Cawthraw, tel: 07720 873091. Meeting point: TN18 4NX, TQ75617 29538, /// outwards.shack.dated.

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APRIL 10th: Meet at 10:15 am by The Star Inn Car Park, Old Heathfield, for a 5 ½ mile walk, morning only. Parking to be in School Hill road by the cricket ground or for those lunching at the pub, to use their car park.   Picnic by the church or the Cricket pitch. LEADERS: Eric Cawthraw, tel: 07856 395083, Maggie Cawthraw, tel: 07720 873091. Meeting point: TN21 9AH, TQ59836 20222, /// swerves. limbs. acquaint.

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APRIL 17th: Meet at the Gammons Way car park, Sedlescombe, for a 10.30 am start. A 4 ½ mile walk through woods and fields – 11 stiles. Lunch afterwards at the Queen’s Head, or picnic on the village green. LEADERS: Jan Avery and Karen Johnson, Tel: 07807 399479. Meeting point:  TN33 0RQ, TQ78236 18042, /// signified. assests. lease.

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APRIL 24th:   Meet in the Marley Lane Car Park near Battle for a 10.30 am start. A 5 mile circular walk through Battle Great Wood. Lunch time stop at Battle, with the option of pub lunch at The Chequers. 1 mile walk down Marley Lane to return to car park after lunch.  LEADERS: Michael and Sue Miles, tel: 851115 Mob: Michael 07484 285594 Sue 07484 294010. Meeting point: TN33 0RB, TQ76542 16398, /// orchids revealing. showrooms.

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MAY 1st: Meet at the road junction of Broad St. and the main A259 in Icklesham for a 10.00 am start. A 4 mile circular walk. There is a picnic spot with a good view just before the finish, or lunch in the Robin Hood. Good opportunities to see wild flowers and the bird life. LEADER: Colin Page, tel: 01797 224231. Meeting point: TN36 4AS, TQ86681 16259, /// disengage.intricate.madness.

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MAY 8th:  Meet at the Crowhurst Recreation Ground car park for a 11.00 am start. A 3-4 mile circular walk including part of the Combe Valley Greenway. Picnic or pub lunch upon return. LEADER: David Dennis, tel: 07969 088186. Meeting point: TN33 9AS,  TQ 76017 11691, /// hogs. scouting. atlas.

MAY 15th:  Meet at 10:00 am in Beacon Road, Hastings for a 5.2 mile morning walk in Hastings Country Park. Picnic or a drive to a pub lunch on conclusion. LEADER: Darryl Johnston, tel: 07597 003407. Meeting point: TN35 5ER, TQ84116 11599, /// holds. neon. salon.

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MAY 22nd:  Meet in Napier Road,  Hastings, for a 10.00 am start, alternative parking is in the car park off Ingleside.  A 4 to 5 mile circular walk through Marline Wood. Lunch arrangements to be advised. LEADER: Jill Kaye, tel: 07971 419302. Meeting point: TN38 9NY, TQ78347 12026, /// tiredness.shut.backyards.

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MAY 29th:  Meet at the layby in Monks Walk Road, Winchelsea for a 10.00 am start.  A six mile circular walk via Icklesham and the Brede Valley. Two stiles and hills. Walk leader: Ron Padgham. Mobile/WhatsApp number: 07972 341692. Pub lunch or picnic after the walk. Meeting point: TN36 4EP, TQ90394 17169, /// grading. continues. riots.

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JUNE 5th: Meet at the Prince’s Parade Car Park, Sandgate (CT21 5RS, TR19018 34894) for 10:30 am start. This is a pay and display sea-front car park, on road parking may be available nearby. The car park is next to the BP garage. 6 ½ mile circular walk along the front to the end of Folkestone harbour arm returning via Lees Cliff. Picnic or your own lunch arrangements halfway, at/near the harbour. Outward 3 ¾ miles, return 2 ¾ miles. LEADER: Ron Padgham, tel: 07972 341692. Meeting point: CT21 5RS, TR19018 34894, /// having.ourselves.swelling.

JUNE 12th:  Meet in Monks Walk Road, Winchelsea, for a 10.00 am start. A guided walk with Barry Yates in the Wetland Trust. A donation of £5 to the Trust is recommended. On return, picnic in the church grounds or pub lunch in The New Inn. CO-ORDINATORS: Michael & Sue Miles Tel: 851115 Mob: Michael 07484 285594 Sue 07484 294010. Meeting point: TN36 4EP, TQ90394 17169, /// grading. continues. riots.

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June 19th: Meet on the seafront at West Marina Gardens for a 10.30 am start. A walk up through South Saxons and the Filsham reedbeds. Picnic in the valley, or lunch in The Bull Inn. Returning on the seafront after lunch. LEADERS: Sue and Michael Miles Tel 851115 Michael’s mob 07484 285594 Sue’s mob; 07484 294010. Meeting point: TN38 0AG, TQ78862 08720,  /// nearly. tests. music. (Distance not given).

JUNE 26th:  Meet at the junction of Darley Road (BN20 7GB) and Chesterfield Road (BN20 7NU) in Eastbourne for a 10:00 am start. Free parking on Chesterfield Road. A 6 mile walk encompassing Beachy Head, undulating with a couple of steep climbs. No stiles. Picnic or pub lunch at The Pilot Inn on return. The inn is close to the street parking. LEADER: Darryl Johnston, tel: 07597 003407. Meeting point: BN20 7GB/BN20 7NU, TV60375 97517, /// dairy. sample. comic.

Please contact Eric and Maggie Cawthraw (see end text) with walks you want to lead for the Winter programme.

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JULY 3rd: Meet for a 10:30 am start in the Tenterden station car park, Station Road. This a free car park, with permission as we are on an approved tourist board railway walk . A 6-mile figure-of-eight walk, 3 miles morning & 3miles afternoon. Lunch – picnic, own arrangements, or group lunch at The Vine in Tenterden. LEADERS: Eric & Maggie Cawthraw. Eric tel: 07856 395083, Maggie tel: 07720 873091. Meeting point: TN30 6HE, TQ88174 33514, /// overpower. stirs. sticking.

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JULY 10th:  Meet at the junction of Hillside Road and Park Avenue in Hastings for a 10.30 am start. A guided walk in St. Helen’s Woods with Dr. Owen Johnson. A £5 donation per person to go to the St. Helen’s Park Preservation Society. Afterwards, either a picnic in the woodland, or a pub lunch at The Welcome in Silverhill. CO-ORDINATORS: Michael and Sue Miles Tel: 851115 Mob: Michael 07484 285594 Sue 07484 294010. Meeting point: TN34 2PW,  TQ81185 11493, /// forest. menu. magic.

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JULY 17th:  Meet  in the lay-by, near Geary Place, Moor Lane, Westfield for a 10.30 am start. A 5 mile circular walk. Picnic or pub lunch in Three Oaks pub. 2 mile walk to return to cars after lunch. LEADERS: Michael and Sue Miles Tel: 851115 Mob: Michael 07484 285594 Sue 07484 294010. Meeting point: TN35 4QL, TQ81332 15389, /// liver. trades. state.

JULY 24th:  Meet by All Saints Church, Church Road, Herstmonceux for a 10.30 am start. A 5 ½  mile circular walk with a picnic en route. LEADERS: Jan Avery and Karen Johnson, tel: 07807 399479. Meeting point: BN27 1QJ, TQ65321 10227, /// guises.begins.inflamed.

JULY 31st: Meet in the car park of The Abergavenny Arms in Frant for a 10.30 am start. Those having a picnic lunch, to park in the village. A figure of eight walk, 3 miles before lunch and 2.9 miles after lunch. LEADERS: Mick Waite, tel:07713 271014 and Maureen Waite, tel: 07712 681333. Meeting points: TN3 9DB,  TQ 58860  35491Q, //stove. glow. ship. Picnickers parking : The Green TN3 9DA, /// ruby. kinds. ground.

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AUGUST 7th:  Meet in the public car park next to Wilmington Priory for a 10:30 am start. 5 ¾ mile circular walk via Jevington. Lunch at the end of the walk. Picnic in the green space by the Priory car park. For those wanting a pub lunch, a short drive to The Plough and Harrow, Litlington. Downland walking with some steep climbs, only 1 stile. LEADER: Darryl Johnston tel: 07597 003407. Meeting point: BN26 5SW,TQ54380 04158, /// pretty. quest. dinner.

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AUGUST 14th: Meet at the Bale House, Lower Coastguard Lane, Fairlight for a 10:30 am start. A 2hour walk with the Ranger - Nick Hennessey. CO-ORDINATORS: Michael and Sue Miles Tel: 851115 Mob: Michael 07484 285594 Sue 07484 294010. Meeting point: TN35 4AD, TQ86012 11620, /// care. conducted. projects. (Lunch and donation).

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AUGUST 21st: Meet in the free carpark on Rye Harbour Road for a 10.00 am start. A 6:45 mile circular walk, including seaside and castle side of the nature reserve. No stiles or hills. Pub lunch or picnic at end of walk. Walk leader Ron Padgham:  Mobile/ WhatsApp number: 07972 341692. Meeting point: TN31 7TX, TQ94191 18921, ///outs. arrives. posed.

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AUGUST 28th: Meet outside Lewes railway station at for a 10.30am start. A hilly 5 mile plus walk on the Downs. A train service runs from Warrior Square and Hastings arriving at 10.20am. (Please check the timetable in case there are changes). Car users, pay parking is available in Pinwell Road near the station or at the station itself (more expensive). Lunch at the end of the walk in Lewes - location tba. LEADER: Jill Kaye, tel: 07971 419302. Meeting point: Lewes railway station, Station Rd, BN7 2UP, TQ41612 09804, /// restriction. suckle. importing. (Walk Sec addition – members may wish to, or find it necessary, to park elsewhere.)

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SEPTEMBER 4th: Meet at the northbound layby on the A21 past the A268/B2087 Flimwell crossroads for 10:30 start. A 6-mile circular walk on the southern side of Bewl Water. Pub lunch at The Bull,  Three Leg Cross or picnic nearby. LEADERS: Eric Cawthraw mob: 07856 395083 Maggie Cawthraw Mob: 07720 873091. Meeting point: on the A21 past the A268/B2087 Flimwell crossroads, TN5 7QG, TQ71058 32274,  /// excellent. unlisted. toward.

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SEPTEMBER 11th: Meet in the car park by Lamberhurst Church for a 10:30 am start.  A 5 mile circular walk stopping for a picnic or lunch in the Scotney Castle National Trust café. LEADERS: Barbara Goldsmith, tel: 07801 4462030 and Roger Goldsmith, tel: 07801 462691. Meeting point: TN3 8DU, TQ68791, /// greet, barbarian, gurgled.

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SEPTEMBER 18th:  Meet  near the church in Brightling for a 10:30 am start. Roadside parking is available. A 6 mile circular walk – 3 stiles with a picnic lunch en route. LEADERS: Jan Avery and Karen Johnson, tel: 07807 399479. Meeting point: TN32 5NA, TQ68219 36614,  /// mailers. grants. mystified.

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SEPTEMBER 25th:  Meet in Cranbrook at the car park off the High Street  for 10:30 start. As you enter, the  car park is to the right of the Co-op car park. 6.4 mile figure of eight walk. Morning 3.8 miles, afternoon 2.6 miles. Picnic in the churchyard or lunch in Cranbrook. LEADERS: Eric Cawthraw (Tel: 01424 712695, mob: 07856 395083); Maggie Cawthraw (mob: 07720 873091). Meeting point: TN17 3EE, TQ77501 35914, /// secondly. noticing. campus.

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Our Journal motto translates: “Nature doesn’t reveal all its secrets at once.” On our walks, we should take time to record the passing seasons and give Mother Nature a chance to unveil her wonders.

Please feel free to submit written reports to the Recorders or to the Society’s web site (shown at the start) to include sightings and photographs if available.

The completion of a ‘Walk Record Sheet’ would be welcome, if you are willing to undertake it (preferably by team leaders), a copy is enclosed. Enjoy this season’s walking.

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Walks Secretaries: Eric & Maggie Cawthraw. Tel: 01424 712695. Eric’s -  Mob: 07856 395083, e-mail: e.cawthraw@btinternet.com. Maggie’s Mob: 07720 873091, e-mail margaret_cawthraw@hotmail.co.uk .

WALKS DIARY EXAMPLE

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Hastings and East Sussex Natural History Society

Walk Record

Date:

Leader(s):

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Location:*

Weather: (inc temp)

*Give a brief description of the walk, e.g. 4 mile circular round Battle Great Wood. (Additional space):

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Type of Record

e.g. Buzzard circling overhead

Bird

e.g. Fungi growing in the wood

Fungi

e.g. Bluebells in bloom

Plant

e.g. Badger sett

Mammal

e.g. Wasp nest in oak tree

Insect

TALKS - 2025

Hastings and East Sussex Natural History Society

                          Wednesday evening meetings in 2025  

         April 9th   Wild Indonesia                                     Ray Hale

         May 14th   Bats                                                   Karen Hammond

         June 11th  The Wildlife of Rye Harbour                    James Duncan

         Sept 10th Wildlife of Patagonia                              Ian Rumley Dawson

         Oct 8th   Standing up for Woods and Trees             Emma Lansdell

         Nov 12th  How Meadows and Healthy Soil

          can fight Climate Change                                     Michael Wachter

                  Free for Members, £3 for visitors. A small charge for refreshments,

               plus a raffle.  7.00 pm for a 7.30pm start. At The Taplin Centre,

                   3, Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards on Sea TN38 0LQ.

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