Hastings Country Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hastings Country Park |
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| Type | Woodland |
| Location | Hastings, East Sussex, England |
| OS grid | TQ 848 117 |
| Area | 660 acres (2.7 km2) |
| Created | 1974 or earlier |
| Operated by | Hastings Borough Council] |
| Open | 7 days a week, dawn until dusk |
| Status | Open all year |
Hastings Country Park is a large and beautiful park located east of Hastings in England. It was created in 1974 and covers a huge area of about 345 hectares (that's over 850 acres!). The park is famous for its amazing sandstone cliffs, deep valleys called glens, and lots of gorse bushes and trees.
You can explore the park using its many footpaths and nature trails. It's a great place for a picnic, and there's plenty of parking too. The park is part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which means it's a special landscape protected for its natural beauty. It's also a Local Nature Reserve, helping to protect local wildlife and habitats.
Some parts of the park are even more special! A large section is called a Special Area of Conservation because it protects important plants and animals. It's also part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means it's important for its wildlife, geology, or landforms.
History of the Park
People have lived and used the area around Hastings Country Park for a very long time. Archaeologists have found many clues and old landmarks here. These finds show that people were active in the park area during many different periods.
Evidence has been found from the Stone Age (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic), Bronze Age, and Iron Age. There are also signs from Roman times, the Saxon period, and the Middle Ages. More recent discoveries include items from Victorian times and even World War II.
Most of the park is considered an important area for archaeology. A big part of East Hill within the park is even a protected Ancient Monument. This means it's a very old site that is kept safe for future generations to learn from.
Amazing Wildlife
Hastings Country Park is a fantastic place for wildlife. The deep, damp valleys (ghylls) are home to many rare and unusual plants. You can find special types of liverworts, mosses, and lichens growing here.
The cliffs are a perfect home for birds like peregrine falcons, black redstarts, and fulmars, which come here to breed. On the hillsides covered with gorse, you might spot Dartford warblers, stonechats, and yellowhammers.
The park is also a popular stop for many migrating birds. In spring and autumn, different birds pass through on their long journeys. Sometimes, rare birds like the Sardinian warbler, red-rumped swallow, or Pallas's leaf warbler are seen here. It's a great spot for birdwatching!
