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 - 2026

 HASTINGS & EAST SUSSEX NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY WALKS PROGRAMME

                                    THURSDAY WALKS – SUMMER 2026

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Web site: https://www.hastingsnaturalhistory.org       

Journal Motto: Rerum natura sacra sua non simul tradit. 

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Walks may be cancelled in bad or extreme weather, please contact the leaders if in doubt. Bring a packed lunch if required and a drink.  Leaders: to carry a small FIRST AID KIT, also a mobile phone if possible. A high visibility jacket is recommended. Distances given are approximate. Contact the walk leader(s) if you have queries. The nearest Postcode, Grid Reference and What3Words (logo - ///) system is given for the meeting point.  NB: Attendees do so at their own risk. On roads without a footpath, keep to the highway code, single file is recommended. Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions and in very hot weather consider a hat and water. Please advise the walk leader(s) no later than 48 hours prior, that you are coming and  if you require a lunch  - unless the leader has given other instructions.

APRIL 2nd:  Mini break holidays.

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MARCH 26th  Meet at Battle rail station for a 10:30 start. A generally easy 4.5 mile walk through woodland with no stiles but some hilly sections. Your own lunch arrangements in Battle or lunch at the Railway Country Pub following the walk. LEADER:  John Potter: Mobile 07784 214281. Meeting point Battle railway station, Station Approach, Battle, TN33 0DE, TQ 75471 15567, /// pines. soon. nightfall.

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APRIL 9th: Meet at the Church in the Wood car park for a 10.30 am start. A 5 mile meander through Church in the Wood and the Green spaces of Hollington with the option of pub lunch at the Welcome Stranger, or picnic in the mini park at Duke Rd. One mile walk back to the Church in the Wood car park after lunch. LEADERS: Michael Miles, tel: 07484 285594, Sue Miles, Tel: 07484 294010. Meeting point; TN38 9PB, TQ78650 11359,  /// dive. stove. butter.

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APRIL 16th:  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. Pub lunch at The Pilot Inn on return. Café or picnic in the Helen Garden, King Edward Parade, BN20 7XL. The Holywell Tea Chalet is nearby. 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.

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APRIL 23rd:   Meet in School Lane, Blackboys for a 10:30 am start. Approx 5.3 miles circular walk, with pub lunch afterwards at The Blackboys. LEADERS Bill and Janet Turner, tel: 07762 527745. Meeting point: TN22 5LJ, TQ52200 20457,  /// ordinary. resonates. junction.

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APRIL 30th: Meet at 10.30 am at Burwash Village car park, by The Bear PH (TN19 7ET, TQ67338 24635) 5 mile circular walk via Bateman’s.  Picnic or lunch at NT at Bateman’s for (NT Members).  LEADER:  Karen Johnson, Mob 07549 992878. Meeting point: TN19 7ET, TQ67338 24635, /// gets. splits. proved.

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MAY 7th: Meet outside The Cricketers Arms, The Village, Berwick for  10.15 am start. A 5 ½ mile circular walk to Charleston Farmhouse, where there will be a short stop before returning for a picnic in the village or a pub lunch. LEADERS: Maggie Cawthraw, tel: 07720 873091 and Eric Cawthraw, tel: 07856 395083. Meeting point: BN26 6SP, TQ51977 05239, /// anyway. expel. indicate. 

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MAY 14th:  Meet at Crowhurst Recreation Ground car park for a 10.30 am start. A 5 mile circular walk, in Combe Valley Way and through the Filsham Reed Beds. Pub lunch at The Plough Inn, or picnic at the Recreation Ground after the walk.  LEADERS: Michael Miles, tel: 07484 285594, Sue Miles, tel: 07474 294010. Meeting point: TN33 9AS,  TQ76006 11691,  /// talking. scale. overgrown.

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MAY 21st:  Meet for a 10:30 start, in the layby at Monks Walk, Winchelsea, for a 10.30 am start.  A walk of about 5.60 miles, with one stile and two moderate hills. Picnic in the church chard or pub lunch in The New Inn after the walk. LEADER: Ron Padgham, tel: 07972 341692. Meeting point: TN36 4ED, TQ90394 17169,  /// bogus. baroness. working.

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MAY 28th:  Meet at the junction of Coastguard Lane & Hill Road, Fairlight. Very limited street parking or pay & display nearby, accessed off Lower Coastguard Lane. *(Alternatively, the 101 bus route from Hastings passes the end of Coastguard Lane @ 10:08 (two minutes’ walk from start), with return services @ 23 minutes past each hour until 16:23).  Start at 10:30 am. Approx 5.4 miles circular walk via Cliff End, 7 stiles. Picnic lunch (weather permitting) after approx 3.3 miles or possibly a pub lunch afterwards, if wet. LEADERS Bill and Janet Turner, tel: 07762 527745. Meeting point: TN35 4AB, TQ86023 11842,  /// never. finely. seashell. * Timetable correct at the time of printing.

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JUNE 4th:  Meet in the Kings Arms Car Park, Station Road, Rotherfield for a 10.15 am start. Just next to the pub car park in Station Road there is also a free public car park. A 5 ½ mile morning circular walk with a picnic in the Millenium Green next to the public car park or pub lunch. LEADERS:  Maggie Cawthraw, tel: 07720 873091 & Eric Cawthraw, tel: 07856 395083.   Meeting point: TN6 3JL, TQ55730 29743, /// stream. stitching. snaps.

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JUNE 11th:  Meet at the car park off Brede Lane, Sedlescombe for a 10:30 start. A circular walk of about 4½ miles. After the walk, a picnic on the village green or pub lunch at The Queens Head. LEADERS: Valarie Dobson, Tel: 07757 699707 and Kate Francis, tel: 07769 033459.  Meeting point: TN330RQ,  TQ78234 18041, /// dogs. wordplay. regulates,  the postcode is for Gammons Way. 

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JUNE 18th:  Meet at the car park (at the back) of The Conqueror’s March, The Ridge, for a 10.30 am start. A 4 mile walk through Sandrock Bends, for a stroll around St. Helen’s Woods, our local nature reserve which has 100 acres of meadows, ponds and ancient woodland. Lunch after the walk at The Conqueror’s March or stay in the woods for a picnic. LEADERS: Michael Miles, tel: 07484 285594, Sue Miles, tel: 07484 294010. Meeting point: TN34 2RA,  TQ82063 12505,   /// answer. native. space.

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JUNE 25th:  Meet behind the YHA , Itford Farm, Beddingham on the A26, between Lewes and Newhaven for a 10.30 am start. Parking is free and there is a cafe with toilets. A seven mile walk with one stile and two steep hills.  Pub lunch or picnic in Rodmell, at three-quarter distance. LEADER: Ron Padgham, tel: 07972 341692. Meeting point: BN8 6JS, TQ43268 05556,  /// soft. labs. races.

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

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JULY 2nd:  Meet by the White Horse Inn car park, Bodle Street Green for a 10.30 am start. Roadside parking is also available.  A morning 5 mile circular walk with lunch in the White Horse or picnic by the nearby chapel upon return. LEADERS: Maggie Cawthraw, tel: 07720 873091 & Eric Cawthraw, tel: 07856 395083. Meeting point: BN27 4RE, TQ0651 14484, /// once. presume. bleaker. 

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JULY 9th:  Meet at The Old Vine, Cousley Wood Road, Cousley Wood for a 10.30 am start. Road-side parking by the pub is also available. A 4.5 mile morning walk from Cousley Wood, via Free Heath and Buss's Green crossing the Kent and Sussex Borders. Pub Lunch at The Old Vine or own arrangements. LEADERS: Roger and Barbara Goldsmith, tel:  07801462691 07801462030. Meeting Point: TN5 6ER,  TQ65080 33383, ///running. pixel. urgent.

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JULY 16th:  Meet in the free Car Park by Chiddingly church  for 10:15 am start. 5½ mile morning walk. Picnic in the village or pub lunch at the Six Bells.  LEADER: Jill Kaye, tel: 07971 419302. Meeting point: BN8 6HT, TQ54474 14211, /// commended. area. cars.

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JULY 23rd:  Meet at car park at rear of Queen’s Head, Icklesham for a 10:30 am start. Approx 4.9 miles Circular walk via Winchelsea, 8 stiles. A pub lunch after the walk at The Queen’s Head, or picnic in the nearby Recreation Ground where addition free parking is available. LEADERS Bill and Janet Turner, tel: 07762 527745. Meeting point: TN36 4BL, TQ87817 16679,  /// overcomes. ramp. geology.

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JULY 30th:  Meet at the Martello Tower, The Esplanade, Seaford for a 10.30 am start. Free parking at seafront. A scenic 6 miles walk taking in Seaford Head and Cuckmere Valley. Packed lunch or eat at Golf Club in Seaford. Leader: Darryl Johnston 07597 003407  Meeting Point : BN25 1JH,   TV 48483 98496, /// unusually. rear. dynasties.  

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AUGUST 6th:  Meet by the Bale House in Hastings Country Park for a 10:30 am start. Mainly pay to park in the area. A morning walk  with the warden - Nick Hennessey, followed by a picnic by the Bale House or lunch in the Two Sawyers. There may be a charitable donation. CO-ORDINATORS:  : Michael Miles, tel: 07484 285594, Sue Miles, tel: 07484 294010. . Meeting point: TN35 4AD, TQ86012 11620, /// care. conducted. projects.

AUGUST 13th: Meet near the church in Brightling for a 10.30 am start.  Roadside parking is available.  A 6 mile circular walk via- 3 stiles with a picnic lunch en route. LEADER: Karen Johnson, Mob 07549992878.  Meeting point:- TN33 5NA, TQ68219 36614, /// mailers. grants. mystified.

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AUGUST 20th:  Meet by the former Smugglers pub in Pett Level for a 10:00 am start. A 6 mile walk with picnic on return, or lunch at The Royal Oak in Pett village. LEADER: Darryl Johnston, tel: 07597 003407. Meeting point: TN35 4EH, TQ89058 13454, /// stammer. zooms. funds.

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AUGUST 27th:  Meet by the lower café in Alexandra Park for a 10.30 am start. A 4 ½ mile walk around the perimeter of the park to include Old Roar Gill. Observations will include the ‘Champion’ trees and other flora of interest. LEADERS: Luis-Mark Morris, tel: 07725 94423 and John Potter, tel: 07784 214281. Meeting point: TN34 2LD, TN81303 10384, /// talent. boots. sprint.

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SEPTEMBER 3rd: Meet at the free carpark on Rye Harbour Road for a 10.00 am start. A  Six mile circular walk, seaside and castle side of the nature reserve. No stiles or hills. Pub lunch or picnic at end of walk. LEADER: Ron Padgham: Tel/ WhatsApp : 07972 341692. Meeting point: TN31 7TX, TQ94191 18921, ///outs. arrives. posed.

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SEPTEMBER 10th: Meet at the car park near Pevensey Castle for a 10.30 am start. A 5 mile circular walk, crossing the Pevensey Haven with a 10 min stop at Chilley Farm. A fairly flat walk with a couple of stiles. Lunch after the walk at The Royal Oak and Castle, or picnic in the outer grounds of Pevensey Castle. LEADERS: Michael Miles, tel: 07484 285594, Sue Miles, tel: 07484 294010. Meeting point; BN24 5LF, TQ64583 04830,  ///blog. timed. touches. 

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SEPTEMBER 17th:  Meet at The Lazy Fox, Mark Cross for 10.30 am start. A 4.5 mile walk through Sandyden Wood, Lake Street to Mark Cross. Lunch at the Lazy Fox or own arrangements. There is also a close-by free car park – post code TN6 3PN, /// edits. branded. tearfully. Light lunches are available in the village at The Sussex Country Gardiner – TN6 3JP, ///  octagon. erupted. buildings. Leaders Roger and Barbara Goldsmith 07801462691  07801462030. Meeting point: TN6 3NP, TQ58265 31199, /// spoiled. saturate. refers.

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SEPTEMBER 24th: Meet in the free Car Park by Chiddingly church  for 10:30 start. 5½ mile figure of eight walk. 4 miles in the morning, 1 ½ miles in the afternoon. Picnic in the village or pub lunch at the Six Bells.  LEADERS: Eric Cawthraw, tel: 07856 395083, Maggie Cawthraw, tel: 07720 873091. Meeting point: BN8 6HT, TQ54474 14211, /// commended. area. cars.

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 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 .

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Hastings and East Sussex Natural History Society

Walk Record

Date:

Leader(s):

Location:*

Weather: (inc temp)

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

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

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TALKS - 2026

Hastings and East Sussex Natural History Society

                          Wednesday evening meetings in 2026  

Talks  for Hastings and East Sussex Natural History Society 

Wednesdays, 2026 

April 8th   The Life of Sussex Butterflies by David Dennis

May 13th   Hastings Kelp Project by Chris Williams 

June 10th  Ten Years of Moth Trapping in Rye  by Keith Palmer

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Sept 9th  Alaskan Animals - a personal view  by Stephen Marsh

Oct 14th  ‘Nature’s Design - through a Photographic Eye  by Colin Page

Nov 11th  The Science and Art of the Peewit  by Dr Barry Yates 

No HESNHS meetings in Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug and Dec.

Our meetings take place at The Taplin Centre, 3, Upper Maze Hill, St. L 

Doors open at 7.00. Talks start at 7.30pm 

There will be a break middle of the evening for refreshments. 

Best wishes 

From 

Sue Miles ( Hon Sec for HESNHS) 

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