About Fairlight
Fairlight is a small village on the coast amidst breathtaking rolling hills, three miles east of Hastings and close to Pett and Pett Level that are equally picturesque.
The area forms part of the Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve that stretches from Hastings to Cliff End where there is access to the beach at Pett Level. Further east there are long stretches of beach towards Winchelsea making it very popular with walkers and those interested in wildlife.
The village is mentioned as far back as 1220 when it was known as ‘Farlegh’. Since then it has had a variety of variations until they settled on ‘Fairlight’ in 1823. The village has strong links with the time of William the Conqueror and the Crusades. Although the original buildings no longer stand, some of the significant properties in the village are built on the foundations. As with any village on the coast, it had a smuggling history and it is thought that underground tunnels from the beach lead inland so smugglers could hide their contraband and move without detection.
The Country Park has over 267 hectares of ancient woodland, heathland and grassland together with three miles (5km) of dramatic cliffs and coastline. Lying within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, most of the park has been designated a Special Area of Conservation, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is a designated Local Nature Reserve. Hastings Old Town is nearby and sits at the foot of the Hastings Cliff Railways, the East Lift links the old town with the Country Park and the railway is currently Britain’s steepest.
If you are looking for a location, where you can enjoy the beautiful countryside and breathe taking sea views, a visit to Fairlight should be on your wish list. A walkers paradise with the perks of having the towns of Rye and Hastings close enough if needed.
