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 - 2026/2027

 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, or for unforeseen circumstances, please contact the leaders if in doubt.  Bring a packed lunch and drink if required. Leaders are to carry a small FIRST AID KIT, also a mobile phone if possible. For walk leaders, 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 - ///) for the meeting point is given. 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 gives other instructions. If you are late and we don’t know you are coming, we will leave without you.​​

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Last Summer Timetable Walk...​

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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.

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HASTINGS & EAST SUSSEX NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY WALKS PROGRAMME

                                    THURSDAY WALKS – WINTER 2026/27

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OCTOBER 1st :  Meet for a 10:00 am start. Possible car parking available at the pub for those lunching there afterwards.  The café and car park at Jempson’s is close by.  A 5 mile morning walk. LEADERS: Valerie Dobson, tel: 07757 699707 and Peter Dalton, tel: 07836 757548. Meeting point: Outside the Cockerel, Main Street, Peasmarsh, TN31 6YD, TQ88506 22996, /// dialect. concluded. waking.

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OCTOBER 8th : Meet outside the White Hart, The Green, Catsfield for a 10:30 am start. A 4 ½ circular walk mostly on country lanes and tracks. A morning walk only. (Permission given to go through Battle Normanhurst  Ct. camp site). Your own lunch arrangements or pub lunch on return. Pub lunchers can use their car park. There is usually plenty of roadside parking. LEADERS: Maggie Cawthraw, tel: 07720 87309 and Eric Cawthraw, tel: 07856 395083. Meeting point: TN33 9DJ, TQ7220 13690, /// unwanted. canny. scariest.

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OCTOBER 15th :   Meet for a 10.30 am start. It will be a circular walk of about 4 miles in The Marline Valley Woods. The 136 acre nature reserve (SSI) is managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust. (Owen Johnson is the volunteer in charge of Marline). Picnic at Marline or drive to The Black Horse, Telham for lunch. LEADERS: Michael Miles, Tel: 07484 285594 and Sue Miles, Tel: 07484 294010.    Meeting point: The car park by the old Helipad off Ingleside, St. Leonards-on-Sea. TQ78380 11963  ///twigs. plug. laughs . (Ingleside does  not have a postcode).

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OCTOBER 22nd: Meet for a 10.00 am start. A five mile morning walk. Picnic in Little Common Recreation Ground or lunch at The Wheatsheaf, Little Common. LEADER: Jakki Armfield, tel: 07415 376701. Meeting point: TN39 4PH, TQ71636   08251, /// folks .relaxed. vowing. 

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OCTOBER 29th: Meet for a 10.15 am start. A six mile downland walk with far reaching views. A choice of pub lunch at The Tiger Inn, café, or picnic on the village green. LEADER: Ron Padgham, tel: 07972 341692.  Meeting point: the free car park at Horse Field, Gilbert Drive, East Dean, BN20 ODA, TV55708 97809, /// give. shunts. manifests. There are toilets in the cafe at the start. A choice of pub lunch in the Tiger Inn, cafe or picnic at end of walk.

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NOVEMBER 5th :  Meet for a 10.30 am start. A 4 mile meander round the Firehills with a picnic or lunch stop in Hastings Old Town, before returning to Barley Lane.  LEADERS:  Michael Miles, Tel: 07484 285594 and Sue Miles: Tel: 07484 294010.  Meeting point: Barley Lane, just before the Rocklands Lane turning TN35 5NT, TQ8364  10368, /// elite. mouth. spout.

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NOVEMBER 12th :   Meet for a 10.15 am start. A 5 mile circular walk, with lunch back in Winchelsea afterwards at the New Inn, or picnic in St. Thomas’ churchyard. A country walk with some hills, some stile and muddy paths. LEADERS:  Bill & Janet Turner, tel: 07762 527745. Meeting point: Monks’ Walk Winchelsea, TN36 4ED, TQ90394 17169, /// bogus. baroness. working.

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NOVEMBER 19th : Meet for an 11.00 am start. A 2 hour circular walk - the history of Burtons’ St Leonards 1828 -1852. Some hilly gradients and rest stops to pass on ‘history bites’ of information. Upon return, picnic in Grosvenor Gardens or lunch at The Bo Peep. LEADER: Louisa Sington, Tel: 07923 118035. Meeting point: Free parking on Sea Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea, next to Grosvenor Gardens. TN38 0AG, TQ78874 08732,  ///voters. deeply. large.  (Public transport: train station – West St. Leonards; bus stop – Bo Peep).  

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NOVEMBER 26th :  Meet for a 10.00 am start.  Approx 5 ½ mile walk via Mountfield Court and then Netherfield Church, where there will be a refreshment break. Some stiles and possibly some muddy areas. Picnic in Mountfield or pub lunch back at The Swan, Woods Corner: (TN21 9LB, TQ66668 19420, /// firm. stunt. football).   LEADER: Jakki Armfield, tel: 07415 376701. Jakki will be assisted by Chris Holden. Meeting point:  Mountfield Village Hall, where free parking will be arranged. TN32 5JU, TQ73349 20256, /// jelly. pythons. employer.

DECEMBER 3rd  :   Meet by the Merrie Harriers PH,  Cowbeech, for 10.30 am start.  A 4 ½   mile morning walk, generally easy walking along country lanes and across fields with a few stiles. Picnic or pub lunch at the end. Those eating at the pub may be able to park there for the walk. LEADERS: Bill & Janet Turner, tel: 07762 527745.  Meeting point: The Merrie Harriers, BN27 4JQ, TQ619410 14532, ///cashier. lifestyle. trails.

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DECEMBER 10th :  Christmas Lunch. Eric Gaiger will contact members re details, menu and attendance via a bulk email from Eric Cawthraw.

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DECEMBER 17th:  Meet in the free car park at East Dean village  for 10:15 am start. A 3 ¼ mile circular walk, morning only. A short but hilly walk for the shortest of days. Hilly over the downs, but no stiles. Picnic back in the village, pub lunch at the Tiger Inn, or the cafe upon return. LEADERS: Eric Cawthraw, tel: 07856 395083 and Maggie Cawthraw tel: 07720 873091. Meeting point: BN20 0DA, TV55708  97809, ///brightens. pythons. notifying.

DECEMBER 24th :  Seasonal Break.

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

DECEMBER 31st : Seasonal Break.

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JANUARY 7th : Meet at Rye Harbour Car Park, for a 10.30 am start. An approx 4 mile circular tour of the of the Reserve hides and a call in at the Discovery Centre if there is time, or stay for lunch. Otherwise, your own lunch arrangements on return.  LEADER: Contact Lou: tel, 07923 118035 or by personal WhatsApp message. Meeting point: TN31 7TX,  TQ94191 18921 /// reliving. objective. renewals.

JANUARY 14th :  Meet in the Denbigh P H car park, Little Common Road, Bexhill-on -Sea, for a 10.00 am start. A 4.7 mile circular route around the roads and twittens of West Bexhill. This will include the green spaces of Little Common Recreation Ground, Highwoods Golf Club, Bexhill Down and Collington Wood. LEADERS: Eric Cawthraw, tel: 07856 395083 and Maggie Cawthraw tel: 07720 873091. Meeting point: TN39 4JE, TQ72357 08006, /// splints. roofs. revolting. Further parking along the road beside the Denbigh – Whitehill Ave., TN39 3RX, or just past at the top (northern end) of Collington Rise, TN39 3RS or RT. This nearby parking is on route on leaving the Denbigh car park.

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JANUARY 21st : Meet for a 10.30 start in the Horse Field  free car park, Gilbert Drive, East Dean. A 5 ½ mile walk with a moderate hill at the start, but no stiles. Toilets in the cafe at the start. Picnic, cafe, or pub lunch in Tiger Inn at walks end. LEADER: Ron Padgham, tel: 07972 341692. Meeting point: BN20 0DA, TV55708 97809,  ///  give. shunts. manifests.

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JANUARY 28th:  Meet by the George Inn, High St., Robertsbridge for a 10.30 am start. Circular walk of 4.5miles. Lunch at the Inn or own arrangements. (Permission to park). LEADERS: Roger Goldsmith, tel:  07801462691. Barbara Goldsmith, tel: 07801462030. Meeting point: TN32 5AW, TQ73804 23485, /// cuts. eclipses. enhances.

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FEBRUARY 4th :  Park in the Waterfront, Harbour Quay free car park for a 10.30 am start. Proceed to the start/meeting point by the shops at the entrance to Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. A 4 ¼ mile morning walk around the harbour and on to Pevensey Bay before returning, via the eastern end of the harbour for a booked lunch or your own catering arrangements. A flat walk passing 3 Martello towers. LEADERS: Eric Cawthraw, tel: 07856 395083 and Maggie Cawthraw tel: 07720 873091. Parking point: BN23 5QG, TQ64007 02186 /// voting. offers. else. Meeting point: BN23 5UZ, TQ64077 01983, /// cubes. tides. sizes.

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FEBRUARY 11th :    Meet outside the Middle House pub in Mayfield for a 10.30 am start. A 5 mile circular walk from Mayfield to Sharnden and back. Lunch after the walk in the pub or cafés  in the village. There is a free car park in South Street TN20 6DD, TQ58733 26910, /// overheat skyrocket. margin. LEADER: Karen Johnson, tel: 07549 992878. Meeting point: Middle House pub, High Street, Mayfield,TN20 6AB, TQ58717 26996, /// trickles. scoots. capacity. 

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FEBRUARY 18th : Meet by the Eight Bells, The Moor, Hawkhurst at 10.30 am for a 4.5 miles walk.  Park on the far side of The Moor or in front of St. Laurence church in Horns Road. Afterwards, picnic on the Moor or in St Laurence churchyard. Lunch in The Eight Bells. (The pub has just closed TBA). LEADERS: Roger Goldsmith, tel:  07801 462691. Barbara Goldsmith, tel: 07801 462030. Meeting point: TN18 4NX, TQ75617 29538, /// remarried. ever. inserting.

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FEBRUARY 25th :  Meet in the Gibbet Marsh car park for a 10.30 am start. A 5.5 miles walk via Winchelsea and Camber Castle. Upon return, your own lunch arrangements in Rye, or pub lunch at The New Inn, Winchelsea.  LEADER: Colin Page, tel: 01797 224231. Meeting point: Gibbet Marsh car Park, Udimore Road, Rye.TN31 7DU, TQ 91484 20323, /// otherwise. wicket. prep.

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MARCH  4th :  Meet for a 10.30 am  start. A 5 mile circular walk including part of the river Rother. Generally easy going with some gentle hills a few stiles and some muddy paths. Lunch afterwards in the Castle Inn, the NT café, or picnic in Bodiam Castle grounds.   LEADERS: Bill & Janet Turner, tel: 07762 527745. Meeting point: Bodiam Castle National Trust car park (free for NT members). TN32 5UA, TQ78407 25396, ///childcare. conjured. dialects.

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MARCH 11th : 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. LEADER: Karen Johnson, Mob 07549992878.  Meeting point:- TN33 5NA, TQ68219 36614, /// mailers. grants. mystified.

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MARCH 18th :  Meet for a 10.00 am start. A 5 ¾ mile walk with no stiles or hills around Rye Harbour. Pub lunch, cafe or picnic at end of walk. There are toilets close to the car park. LEADER:  Ron Padgham, tel: 07972 341692.  Meeting point:  the free car park at the end of Harbour Road, Rye, TN31 7TX, TQ94191 18921, /// undivided. waters. remark. 

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MARCH 25th:  Meet for a 10.30 am start. It’s an 83 acre protected site, SSI managed by Highwoods Preservation Society. A gentle stroll of 3 to 4 miles through the different habitats,- oak and birch woodland, grasslands, with ponds and streams. Maybe early spring flowers? Picnic in the woods or lunch at The Denbigh Pub. LEADERS: Michael Miles, tel: 07484 285594  and Sue Miles, tel: 07484 294010.  Meeting point: TN39 4NN/TN39 4NN/TN39 4RA, ///purchaser. heads. afford . Meeting point: Bexhill High Woods, Peartree Lane, Bexhill-on-Sea.

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PLEASE NOTE

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’ (BELOW) 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 .

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 

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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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