Fairlight Glen facts for kids
Fairlight Glen is a beautiful wooded area located about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the fishing town of Hastings in East Sussex, England. It's also about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of the small village of Fairlight Cove. This special place is part of the larger Hastings Country Park and leads down to a quiet beach called Covehurst Bay. Even though the name Covehurst Bay isn't often used for the beach itself, you'll find it marked on official Ordnance Survey maps.
The beach at Covehurst Bay is mostly covered in shingle, which are small, smooth stones. You'll also find large boulders and, when the tide is low, some patches of sand. The main part of the cove sits between lower cliff areas. These lower cliffs were formed a long time ago when bigger parts of the cliffs collapsed. There are no buildings or shops on the beach, or in the country park above it, so it's a very natural spot. On a clear day, when the tide is low, you might even see the harbour arm of Hastings. You might also spot the Dungeness nuclear power station a few miles further east at Dungeness.
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Getting to Fairlight Glen
Reaching Fairlight Glen and Covehurst Bay is an adventure! One way is to walk from Hastings along a hilly path on top of the cliffs. After a good walk, you'll see a sign pointing to a path that goes down the cliff to the cove.
Parking and Other Routes
Just north of the beach is Hastings Country Park. You can park there, but be ready for a steep 20-minute walk to get to the beach path. If you go further east along the clifftop, you'll find a coastguard station and another parking area for visitors to the park.
Walking Along the Beach
It's usually possible to walk along the beach all the way to Hastings. However, the tide can cut off this route, so always check the tide times! This walk can be tough because you'll be walking on loose pebbles and rocks that have fallen from the cliffs. At low tide, you might also be able to walk east along the beach to Fairlight Cove.
The Cliffs and Beach Safety
The cliffs at Fairlight Glen are about 100 feet (30 meters) high. They are made of sandstone and clay, which means they can wear away easily, a process called erosion. Because of this, parts of the cliff can sometimes fall down.
Accessing the Beach Safely
To help keep visitors safe, access to the beach is partly blocked by a fence. There's also a warning sign about cliff falls. This fence was put up after the original wooden steps to the beach were washed away in a cliff fall. People have since made new steps in the path. As of July 2011, the path was safe to use, but you should be ready for a bit of a climb!
Water Quality and Swimming
The water quality here has improved over time thanks to work on local drainage systems. If you're thinking about swimming, be aware that there are hidden rocks in the water. Also, there are no lifeguards or normal rescue services at this beach. Sometimes, people have needed to be rescued by helicopter from the beach or cliffs, so always be careful and aware of your surroundings.
