Category Archives: History

Geology & Rock Formations, History, landscape photography, March, Natural History, photography, Spring

Dinosaur Footprints on Bexhill Beach – 135 Million Years Old

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Introduction

While exploring the foreshore at Bexhill Beach over the last couple of days, I came across several remarkable features preserved in the rock – dinosaur footprints dating back roughly 135 million years to the Early Cretaceous period.

Dinosaur footprint impression preserved in sandstone on the foreshore at Bexhill Beach, East Sussex
A dinosaur footprint preserved in the sandstone of the Ashdown Formation on the foreshore at Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. The track dates to the Early Cretaceous period around 135 million years ago, when this area was a muddy river floodplain rather than coastline. Coastal erosion has revealed this ancient surface where dinosaurs once walked, preserving both footprint impressions and natural casts in the rock.

The Sussex coast exposes rocks from the Ashdown Formation, part of the Wealden Group. At the time these sediments were forming, this area wasn’t coastline at all. It was a warm river floodplain with muddy riverbanks, shallow lagoons and dense vegetation. Dinosaurs walked across these mudflats, leaving footprints that were buried by sediment and eventually turned into rock.

Coastal erosion along the foreshore is now slowly revealing parts of that ancient landscape again.

YouTube Video

I filmed several of these footprints during my visit and I’m currently putting together a short video explaining the tracks and how they formed.

👉 Subscribe to my YouTube channel here to see the video

Casts and Impressions

Interestingly, two different types of footprints can be seen on the Bexhill foreshore.

Dinosaur footprint impression preserved in sandstone on the foreshore at Bexhill Beach, East Sussex
A dinosaur footprint preserved in the sandstone of the Ashdown Formation on the foreshore at Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. The track dates to the Early Cretaceous period around 135 million years ago, when this area was a muddy river floodplain rather than coastline. Coastal erosion has revealed this ancient surface where dinosaurs once walked, preserving both footprint impressions and natural casts in the rock.

📍 Google Maps location: 50.837650, 0.483188

📍 what3words: ///newest.icons.slides,

Some appear as raised shapes, known as natural casts. These form when a dinosaur footprint fills with sediment which later hardens. As the surrounding rock erodes away, the filled footprint can remain standing proud of the surface.

A dinosaur footprint preserved in the sandstone of the Ashdown Formation on the foreshore at Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. The track dates to the Early Cretaceous period around 135 million years ago, when this area was a muddy river floodplain rather than coastline. Coastal erosion has revealed this ancient surface where dinosaurs once walked, preserving both footprint impressions and natural casts in the rock.

📍 Google Maps location: 50.836672, 0.475356

📍 what3words: ///gained.gent.funded

Others appear as true impressions – the actual depressions left when a dinosaur stepped into soft mud millions of years ago.

Finding both types close together strongly suggests that the rock surface represents part of the original ancient mudflat where dinosaurs once walked.

What Dinosaur Made These Tracks?

The footprints show the classic three-toed (tridactyl) shape typical of ornithopod dinosaurs, a group that includes animals such as Iguanodon which are well known from the Wealden rocks of Sussex.

A dinosaur footprint preserved in the sandstone of the Ashdown Formation on the foreshore at Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. The track dates to the Early Cretaceous period around 135 million years ago, when this area was a muddy river floodplain rather than coastline. Coastal erosion has revealed this ancient surface where dinosaurs once walked, preserving both footprint impressions and natural casts in the rock.

Palaeontologists usually classify footprints by their track type rather than a specific species, but the general form is consistent with plant-eating dinosaurs that roamed this region during the Early Cretaceous.

Location

Several people have asked where these footprints can be found.

They are located on the foreshore near Bexhill when the tide is very low, as the rock platform needs to be exposed.

See the google and what3words above under each photo.

Because the footprints are on the intertidal rock platform, they are best viewed around low tide.

A Glimpse Into Deep Time

Standing on this rock today, it’s quite remarkable to think that the surface beneath your feet was once a muddy riverbank walked on by dinosaurs over 135 million years ago.

Dinosaur footprint impression preserved in sandstone on the foreshore at Bexhill Beach, East Sussex
A dinosaur footprint preserved in the sandstone of the Ashdown Formation on the foreshore at Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. The track dates to the Early Cretaceous period around 135 million years ago, when this area was a muddy river floodplain rather than coastline. Coastal erosion has revealed this ancient surface where dinosaurs once walked, preserving both footprint impressions and natural casts in the rock.

Thanks to the constant action of the sea slowly wearing away the cliffs and foreshore, these ancient traces occasionally reappear – giving us a rare glimpse into a landscape from the age of dinosaurs.

If you visit the site, please take care around the rocks and avoid damaging the footprints so others can enjoy seeing them too.

If you’d like to see more locations like this across Sussex, you can explore them on the Sussex Photography map collection on the site.

Autumn, England, History, Kent, landscape photography, November, photography, Romney marsh, Ruins & Remains, South East, UK

Lost Churches of Romney Marsh – Hope, Midley, Eastbridge and Fairfield

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Introduction

Romney Marsh once held dozens of small medieval parishes scattered across the wetland. Many disappeared as the land flooded, drained or shifted, leaving only fragments of stone, earthworks or a solitary church in the fields.

Before diving into each site, here is the full map of all locations:

All Map Locations – Romney Marsh Churches

Here is the long-form video that explores all four churches together:

This post breaks down each location separately, with individual map links and photos.

All Saints Church, Hope

One of the earliest medieval parishes on the Marsh, Hope was built in the 12th century and abandoned by the 1500s as the coastline shifted and the land became grazing marsh. Only fragments of walling survive beside the B2075, now surrounded by a modern sculpture park that occupies the old churchyard.

hope all saints romney marsh
hope all saints romney marsh

Map: All Saints Church, Hope View on Google Maps

Midley Church Ruins

Midley was founded in the 14th century on what was then an island of higher ground in the Marsh. Flooding and silting forced the parish to be abandoned by the 1500s, and the church was gradually robbed for stone. Today only the lone west arch stands in the field — one of the most striking remains on Romney Marsh.

Midley church ruins romney marsh kent
the ruins of midley church on romney marsh kent south east England UK

Map: Midley Church Ruins View on Google Maps

Eastbridge Church Ruins

Eastbridge was a later medieval parish that stood between Ivychurch and Newchurch. It declined rapidly in the 16th century as water management changed and the local population moved away. The remains sit behind a cottage off Chapel Lane, half-hidden in scrub with a short footpath cut through the bushes to reach the site.

Easbridge church ruins Romney Marsh Kent
The ruins of Eastbridge church on the Romney Marsh Kent south east England UK

Map: Eastbridge Church Ruins (Chapel Lane) View on Google Maps

St Thomas à Becket, Fairfield

Fairfield is the complete contrast — a 13th-century church that survived while the other parishes vanished. Rebuilt in brick in the 1790s to replace the failing timber structure, it still stands alone in the fields and remains consecrated today. The drainage channels and wide open skies make it one of the most photogenic churches in Kent.

long exposure of clouds rolling over st thomas a becket church on the romney marsh
Rolling evening clouds over St Thomas A Becket Church on Romney Marsh Kent south east England UK

Full Post: St Thomas à Becket Church, Fairfield

Conclusion

Hope, Midley and Eastbridge all tell the same story: marshland, shifting water and the long decline of settlement across Romney Marsh. Fairfield tells the opposite — a parish that endured.

Together they form one of the most atmospheric and historically rich landscapes in the South East.

Related Posts

Broomhill Sands – East Sussex Coast
Long beach and shingle on the Romney Marsh edge.

Brookland Church – Timber Tower of Romney Marsh
One of the Marsh’s most distinctive standing churches.

St George’s Ivychurch – The Cathedral of the Marsh
A vast medieval church dominating the landscape.

Denge Sound Mirrors – Early Acoustic Defence
Historic concrete listening structures on the edge of the Marsh.

Autumn, Castles, England, High Weald, Historic Estates, History, Kent, landscape photography, Ruins & Remains, September, South East, UK

Scotney Castle – The Old Ruin and the Victorian House Above It

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Introduction

Scotney Castle is unusual because it isn’t one building but two.
Down by the water sits the medieval Old Castle, once a fortified manor. Above it stands the 1830s New House, built deliberately to overlook the ruins. Together they form one of the most photographed estates in Kent.

Below is the short video showing both parts of the estate:

A wider look at Scotney: the Old Castle in the moat and the New House in the landscape.

Location on Google Maps
View Scotney Castle on Google Maps

All Map Locations Collection
Explore the full Sussex Photography map collection

History

The Old Castle dates to the mid-14th century, when Kent was vulnerable to coastal raids during the Hundred Years’ War. It was never a full fortress, but a moated, defensible manor built to protect the family and estate during periods of instability.

scotney castle kilnwood kent
Scotney castle

By the 1830s the Hussey family wanted a modern home, so the New House was built on the hill. Rather than demolish the medieval structure, they turned it into a romantic garden feature. The valley below was landscaped so that the ruins were always the centre of the view from the new house.

Exploring the Site

The Old Castle:
Only part of the original structure survives – the gate tower, a hall range wall and the moat. Time, water and ivy soften the remaining stonework, making it one of the most recognisable scenes in the region.

The New House:
A classic Victorian country house built for comfort, with long views across the valley. The design intentionally frames the Old Castle, showing how 19th-century landscaping turned medieval remains into a feature rather than a burden.

The Grounds:
Lakes, woodland paths, and carefully planted slopes connect both buildings. The entire estate is a managed blend of medieval history and Victorian landscaping.

Practical Info

Location:
Scotney Castle, near Lamberhurst, Kent (National Trust).

Access:
Paid National Trust entry. Parking on site. Easy walking across the gardens.

Best Time to Visit:
Spring for rhododendrons, summer for reflections in the moat, autumn for colours around the valley, winter for clear views of the ruin.

Nearby:

Autumn, England, History, Landmarks, landscape photography, November, photography, UK

St Thomas à Becket Church, Fairfield – A Survivor on the Marsh

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Introduction

St Thomas à Becket at Fairfield is the church most people recognise instantly from Romney Marsh — a single, isolated building in the middle of vast grazing fields, with sheep, water channels and open landscape stretching in every direction.

Although the other medieval parishes around here vanished centuries ago, Fairfield survived. The result is a site that feels both historic and photographic at the same time: part heritage, part natural sculpture.

Here’s the YouTube Short that introduces the location:

A short walk across the fields brings you right up to the church, and on the right light it becomes one of the most rewarding photographic spots anywhere in Kent.

Location on Google Maps:
All Map Locations:

The Story of St Thomas à Becket, Fairfield

Most of Romney Marsh’s medieval parishes didn’t survive. Places like Hope, Midley and Eastbridge were abandoned by the 1500s as flooding, drainage problems and shifting settlement patterns emptied the land.

Fairfield, however, took a different path.

13th-century origins

The original church was built in the 13th century, constructed on wooden piles driven into the marshy ground. It served a tiny farming community long since faded from the map.

1790s reconstruction

By the late 1700s the old timber-framed structure was failing, and the whole building was rebuilt in brick around 1792–1800. The interior fittings — including the Georgian box pews and pulpit — were brought here from a church in Snargate.

Still consecrated today

Despite its isolation, the church remains consecrated and still holds occasional services. It’s one of the only original marsh churches to stand more or less untouched by development.

A landscape shaped by water

Drainage channels, sheep fields and open skies dominate the area. At certain times of year, when the fields are saturated or flooded, the church appears to float above the reflections — one of the reasons it has become such a magnet for photographers.

A Photographer’s Gem

Photographically, Fairfield is exceptional because it offers:

Wide compositions

There is almost nothing around it. Every direction gives clean framing with long lead-ins, perfect for both stills and video.

long exposure of clouds rolling over st thomas a becket church on the romney marsh
Rolling evening clouds over St Thomas A Becket Church on Romney Marsh Kent south east England UK

Minimalism and mood

Cloud cover, mist, and winter light create soft tonal transitions that suit:

  • long exposure
  • black and white
  • pastel colour edits
  • silhouettes against dusk

360-degree access

The path allows the whole building to be photographed from every angle without obstruction.

Long-exposure potential

On calm days, the drainage ditches reflect the church beautifully. On windy days, long exposures turn the grass and clouds into soft textured motion.

Seasonal variation

Winter gives you saturated marsh colours and dramatic skies.
Summer gives you dry grass, warm tones and clear geometry.

Your long-exposure shots of the church fit exactly into this environment — a quiet, timeless landscape where the Marsh seems to pause itself for the camera.

Practical Info

Location:
Fairfield, Romney Marsh, Kent — in the fields west of Newchurch and north of Lydd.

Official Information: For historical background, service details and the church’s preserved status, visit the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust page for Fairfield. It’s the most accurate and up-to-date source on St Thomas à Becket Church.

Access:
Park at the lay-by on Fairfield Road (TQ 949 275), then follow the footpath across the fields. The route is flat but can be very muddy in winter.

If you want to go inside the church the key can be recovered from the cottage nearby on the side of the road.

Best Time to Visit:

  • Early morning for soft light over the marsh
  • Late afternoon for warm sidelight
  • Winter and early spring for reflections in the drainage channels
  • Calm days for long-exposure photography

Nearby:

  • Brookland Church – Unique detached timber tower and medieval interior.
  • St George’s Ivychurch – Known as the “Cathedral of the Marsh.”
  • Broomhill Sands – Wide beach and shingle for coastal photography.
Autumn, Battle, East Sussex, England, High Weald, Historic Estates, History, September, South East, UK

Battle Abbey – 1066 From Above

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Introduction

Early one September morning, I filmed Battle Abbey from the town square as golden light hit the stone gatehouse. From there I launched the drone to get a full view of the site — the gatehouse, the surviving ranges, the ruins of the abbey church, and the fields where King Harold was said to have fallen in 1066.

Watch the 4k video below:

📍View on Google Maps
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The Abbey and Its Origins

Battle Abbey was founded by William the Conqueror as an act of penance following the Battle of Hastings in 1066. According to tradition, the high altar of the abbey church was placed on the very spot where King Harold was killed, marking the turning point in English history.

The abbey grew into one of Sussex’s most important monastic houses. Much of what stands today is the 14th-century gatehouse, built over an earlier Norman core, controlling access to the precinct.

The Gatehouse and Precinct

The gatehouse dominates the town square and remains one of the most complete medieval monastic gatehouses in England. It was both a symbol of authority and a checkpoint controlling access to the abbey’s lands and storehouses.

Battle abbey gatehouse catching the morning golden hour side light
The impressive battle abbey gatehouse in east Sussex south east England UK

Behind it lies the west range, which survived largely intact because it was reused after the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. It became a private residence and later Battle Abbey School, which still occupies the buildings today.

The Ruins and the Battlefield

Little remains of the abbey church and cloister, but from the air the plan is still visible — the cloister to the south, chapter house and dormitory to the east, and refectory on the south range.

battle abbey ruins drone view
battle abbey ruins

Beyond the walls stretch the fields traditionally known as the 1066 battlefield, where Harold’s army faced William’s Norman forces. Alternative theories place the battle at Caldbec Hill or Crowhurst, but Battle remains the most widely accepted site.

A Site of Survival

Battle Abbey’s condition today owes much to reuse and repair. Unlike the weathered civic gates of Rye and Winchelsea, this monastic gatehouse was adapted, maintained, and lived in. English Heritage now manages the site, preserving both the ruins and the memory of England’s defining battle.

Practical Info

Location: Battle, East Sussex
Access: Public entrance via the town square; English Heritage admission applies
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for light on the stonework
Nearby:

  • Hastings Castle – Norman stronghold overlooking the coast
  • Rye Town Gate – A surviving medieval gate from the Cinque Ports
  • Winchelsea Gates – Civic fortifications from the same period
Autumn, East Sussex, England, High Weald, History, Kent, Ruins & Remains, September, South East, Sussex, UK

Bayham Abbey – Ruins on the Sussex–Kent Border

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Introduction

Tucked away in the valley of the River Teise, Bayham Abbey is one of the most atmospheric ruins on the Sussex–Kent border. Founded in 1208 for the Premonstratensian order, it was once a thriving monastery of white-robed canons devoted to prayer and labour. Today the site is cared for by English Heritage and remains a hauntingly beautiful reminder of medieval devotion and Tudor upheaval.

Watch the short below for a glimpse of the ruins and autumn colours around the site.

A landscape steeped in history, Bayham Abbey straddles the boundary between East Sussex and Kent — the River Teise running through the grounds marks the official county line. Most of the abbey ruins lie just inside East Sussex, while the old entrance and later estate houses fall within Kent.

View on Google Maps ›
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History of Bayham Abbey

Bayham Abbey was established in 1208 when two smaller Premonstratensian houses — Otham in Sussex and Brockley in Kent — were merged into a new foundation on the River Teise. The order followed the rule of St Augustine, living communally with a focus on simplicity and self-sufficiency.

bayham abbey ruins on the river teise valley
Bayham abbey ruins on the river Teise valley

For more than three centuries, Bayham flourished. Its sandstone church, cloisters and chapter house formed a compact but impressive complex, surrounded by farmland and woodland owned by the abbey. Like so many monastic houses, it met its end in the 1530s during the Dissolution under Henry VIII. The property was seized by the Crown and the buildings quickly fell into ruin.

By the 18th century, the romantic decay of the abbey became part of a landscaped estate. A smaller house was built beside the ruins to frame the arches as a garden feature. In the early 19th century, architect Decimus Burton designed Bayham Old Abbey House on the hill above — a grand mansion overlooking both valley and ruins.

Visiting Today

Today, the abbey remains are managed by English Heritage and open to visitors. The ruins stand within a peaceful riverside meadow, surrounded by trees and gentle slopes. You can still trace the outlines of the church, cloisters and chapter house, with the tall west front and crossing arches rising above the grass.

bayham old abbey ruins
bayham old abbey ruins

It’s a quiet site, ideal for photography in early morning or late afternoon light. Autumn brings rich colour to the surrounding woodland, while spring reveals carpets of wildflowers along the banks of the Teise.

Practical Info

Location: Bayham Abbey, Furnace Lane, Little Bayham, Tunbridge Wells TN3 8LP
Access: Small English Heritage car park on site (free for members).
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for soft light; autumn and spring for colour.
Nearby:

  • Scotney Castle – a romantic moated house and gardens nearby in Lamberhurst.
  • Bewl Water – large reservoir offering walks and cycling routes.
  • Batemans – the former home of Rudyard Kipling near Burwash.

Autumn, East Sussex, England, High Weald, Historic Estates, History, October, South East, Sussex, UK

Ashburnham Place – Autumn Reflections on a Lost Sussex Estate

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Introduction

Ashburnham Place lies deep in the High Weald near Battle, once home to one of Sussex’s oldest landed families. By mid-October the trees here turn gold and amber, and walking the lakeside paths offers a glimpse of both natural beauty and a long English lineage.

Watch the short video below:

A calm autumn morning among Capability Brown’s sweeping parkland and St Peter’s Church.

View on Google Maps
All Map Locations Collection

The Ashburnham Legacy

The Ashburnham family took their name from the nearby village and rose to prominence through loyalty to the Crown and ownership of vast Sussex lands. John Ashburnham (1603–1671) served King Charles I during the Civil War and was later rewarded by Charles II, cementing the family’s wealth and influence.

Ashburnham place stone bridge autumn
Ashburnham place stone bridge autumn

Their estates extended across Sussex and into London, where the name still survives in Ashburnham Road and the Ashburnham Mansion Block in Chelsea.

The Lost House

The grand mansion at Ashburnham Place once stood as one of the county’s finest houses. Most of it was demolished in the 1950s, leaving only the west wing—now called the Coachman’s House.

Ashburnham place ancient beech woodland
Ashburnham place ancient beech woodland

The surrounding park was landscaped in the 18th century by Lancelot “Capability” Brown, with the Broad Water lake as its centrepiece.

Church and Landscape

Beside the lake stands St Peter’s Church, resting place of generations of the Ashburnham family. Inside are marble memorials and heraldic tablets that trace the family’s reach from medieval times to the 19th century. The church and lake remain the quiet heart of the estate, framed by autumn colours and Brown’s designed vistas.

A Landed Family in Decline

Like many great estates, Ashburnham’s fortunes faded as agricultural income fell. Heavy maintenance costs and post-war taxes forced the sale and demolition of much of the house. The remaining property became a Christian retreat centre, preserving part of the grounds for public enjoyment.

Practical Info

Location: Near Battle, East Sussex, on the High Weald. There is free parking and the Orangey café. No dog walking.
Access: Public footpaths lead around Broad Water and St Peter’s Church.
Best Time to Visit: Mid- to late autumn for colour, or spring for reflections on the lake.

Nearby: Battle Abbey – site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings; Penhurst Church – quiet Wealden village with medieval features; Bateman’s – Rudyard Kipling’s former home at Burwash.

Autumn, Castles, East Sussex, England, History, Lewes, September, South Downs, South East, Summer, Sussex, UK

Lewes Castle – The Norman Stronghold Above the Ouse Valley

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Introduction

From the slopes of Mount Caburn that September morning, I could just see Lewes Castle rising through the mist — the twin mottes catching the first light over the town. It’s one of the earliest Norman castles in England, begun around 1069 by William de Warenne, one of William the Conqueror’s most trusted knights.

🎥 Watch the Short:


Lewes Castle | Born from Conquest after 1066

It’s hard to believe this view has changed so little in nearly a thousand years.

📍 View Lewes Castle on Google Maps
🗺️ See All My Map Locations

The Norman Conquest Comes to Lewes

Lewes Castle was the second Norman stronghold in Sussex, built soon after Hastings Castle to secure the route inland and protect the road to London. Its position on the ridge above the River Ouse made it both a defensive lookout and a statement of dominance over the surrounding Saxon population.

lewes castle ouse valley way east sussex
Lewes castle Ouse valley way east Sussex

The earliest castle would have been a timber motte-and-bailey, replaced in stone through the 11th and 12th centuries. The outer towers seen today were added in the 13th century under the Angevin kings — part of the continual strengthening of Norman fortifications across southern England.

Strategic Importance

Lewes controlled the key route between the south coast and the old capital at Winchester. From here, Norman lords could oversee trade and movement along the Ouse Valley and the approaches to the Downs. It formed one link in a chain of coastal strongholds, including Hastings, Pevensey, and Arundel, that secured William’s new kingdom against rebellion and invasion alike.

Visiting Today

You can still climb the steep steps up to the keep and take in the same commanding view that once overlooked the Norman road north. Inside the walls, the museum tells the story of Lewes through Saxon, Norman, and medieval times.

lewes castle east sussex
lewes castle east sussex

It’s not just a monument — it’s a reminder of how one battle reshaped an entire country.

Practical Info

Location: Lewes, East Sussex
Access: Public entrance via Castle Gate, Lewes town centre
Best Time to Visit: Clear mornings or late afternoon for best light from the Downs
Nearby: Mount Caburn, Anne of Cleves House, Lewes Priory ruins

Nearby Places to Explore

  • Hastings Castle – The first Norman fortress in Sussex, built immediately after the Battle of Hastings.
  • Arundel Castle – Another early Norman stronghold overlooking the River Arun.
  • Pevensey Castle – The Roman fort re-used by William as his first landing base.
Bodiam, Castles, East Sussex, England, High Weald, History, South East, UK

Bodiam Castle – The Storybook Fortress of Sussex

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Introduction

Bodiam Castle looks like it has stepped straight out of a fairytale — a 14th-century fortress perfectly mirrored in its surrounding moat. Built by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, it was intended both as a defensive stronghold against French raids and as a statement of wealth and power. Today, it stands as one of the best-loved castles in Sussex, drawing visitors from across the world.

Here’s a short reel from my visit to Bodiam Castle:

The castle’s location can be found on Google Maps and you can also explore it alongside my other places on All Map Locations.

A Castle of Defence and Display

Construction began in 1385 after Dalyngrigge received permission, or “license to crenellate,” from Richard II. The design — a near-perfect quadrangle surrounded by water — was as much about prestige as practicality. Its wide moat and single entrance drawbridge offered real defence, but the elegant symmetry and impressive towers were built to impress as much as protect.

Bodiam castle November light
Bodiam castle November light

The castle later passed through the Lewknor family and then, during the English Civil War, was partially dismantled to prevent military use. By the 19th century, it was a romantic ruin attracting artists and travellers. In 1829, the eccentric local squire John “Mad Jack” Fuller purchased the castle to prevent its destruction, ensuring its survival. Its fortunes changed again when Lord Curzon undertook major restoration in the early 20th century, before entrusting Bodiam to the National Trust in 1925.

Visiting Bodiam Castle

Wandering around the site today, you can cross the moat on the bridge, climb the towers for sweeping views of the Rother Valley, and look down into the ruined interiors where the great hall, kitchens, and chapel once stood. The moat itself teems with wildlife, while the surrounding landscape makes it a favourite spot for walks and photography.

Practical Info

Location: Near Robertsbridge, East Sussex, in the Rother Valley
Access: Managed by the National Trust, with paid entry and parking onsite
Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn for reflections in the moat, but summer offers longer opening hours
Nearby:

East Sussex, England, History, Landmarks, South East, UK

Storm Waves at Newhaven Lighthouse

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Introduction

At the edge of Newhaven Harbour, where the River Ouse meets the sea, the white tower of Newhaven Lighthouse has stood since 1885. Built to guide ships safely into port, it rises at the end of the long breakwater, facing the full force of the English Channel. On stormy days the waves hammer the seawall and crash against the lighthouse itself, turning this working harbour into one of the most dramatic sights on the Sussex coast.

Watch the short video here:

Filmed during storm conditions, the footage captures the lighthouse from several vantage points — down on West Beach, up on the cliffs by Newhaven Fort, and across from Seaford Beach.

A Beacon Since 1885

Newhaven Lighthouse was built at the end of the 19th century, when the harbour was expanding to handle cross-channel trade. The breakwater provided protection for ships entering the River Ouse, while the lighthouse itself ensured vessels could find safe passage in poor weather.

Storm Watching on the Sussex Coast

The harbour wall and West Beach are particularly dramatic in stormy conditions, when waves break over the seawall in bursts of spray.

Newhaven lighthouse storms
Newhaven lighthouse storms

Photographers and sightseers often gather along Seaford seafront or up by the fort to capture the power of the sea. Although public access along the “Long Arm” pier to the lighthouse has been closed since 2008, the surrounding viewpoints still offer some of the most striking storm scenes in Sussex.

Practical Info

  • Location: Newhaven, East Sussex, at the mouth of the River Ouse.
  • Access: Best viewed from Seaford Beach, West Beach, or the cliffs near Newhaven Fort. The Long Arm and sandy West Beach area remain closed to the public.
  • Best Time to Visit: During stormy or windy weather, especially when the tide is high — though always from a safe distance.
  • Nearby:
    • Seaford Head & Seven Sisters – iconic chalk cliffs with sweeping views.
    • Newhaven Fort – Victorian coastal defence overlooking the harbour.
    • Seaford Bay – a long shingle beach stretching east towards Splash Point.
    • Hope Gap – Small bay nestled between Cuckmere Haven and Seaford Head
    • Cuckmere Haven – Small bay nestled between Seaford Head and the Seven Sisters
East Sussex, England, History, Memorials, Reels and Shorts, Rye, South East, UK, Videography

Mary Stanford Lifeboat House – A Silent Memorial on Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

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Introduction

On the edge of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, surrounded by birdsong and open sky, stands a weather-beaten wooden building. It looks quiet and forgotten, but this is one of the most poignant memorials on the Sussex coast — the Mary Stanford Lifeboat House, site of the worst disaster in RNLI history.

Here’s a short video capturing the calm beauty of the location and the story behind it:

This peaceful spot now forms part of the thriving Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, filled with birds, wildflowers, and wide skies.
Yet in 1928, this stretch of coastline saw unimaginable loss.

🌍 View on Google Maps
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The Tragedy of the Mary Stanford

In the early hours of 15 November 1928, a force 10 gale pounded the Sussex coast. The lifeboat Mary Stanford, stationed at Rye Harbour, was launched to assist the Latvian ship Alice of Riga, believed to be in trouble.

What the crew didn’t know was that the Alice had already been rescued.

Despite brutal conditions, the 17 crewmen rowed — yes, rowed — into the storm. The Mary Stanford had no engine, no radio, and no shelter. It was a wooden oar-powered boat, already scheduled for replacement.

The lifeboat was later spotted upside down off Broomhill Sands, and over the next few hours, 15 bodies washed ashore. One man was found further west. The youngest crew member, 17-year-old John Head, was never recovered.

The Boathouse Today

The lifeboat house still stands — boarded up, weathered, and scarred by spray paint. You can’t go inside, but you can stand beside it and feel the weight of what it represents.

rye harbour mary stanford lifeboat memorial
rye harbour mary stanford lifeboat memorial

There is a small plaque on the wall naming the crew. Nearby, the pebble memorial commemorates all 17 men. And every November, a memorial service is held in the local church on Harbour Road.

Some have called for the building to be restored as a visitor centre, perhaps with a replica of the lifeboat inside. Others say it should remain as it is — haunting, weather-beaten, and watching the sea, just as it always has.

Nature and Memory

Walking here in June, the contrast is striking. The nature reserve is vibrant — birds call across the wetlands, butterflies dance in the grasses, and the sun breaks across the shingle beach.

But as you stand by the lifeboat house, it’s impossible not to imagine that final launch: the storm, the cold, the bravery.

The sea was calm the day I filmed — but the wind still remembers. And the sea never forgets.

Practical Info

  • Location: Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, East Sussex
  • Access: Walkable path from Rye Harbour village; flat terrain, gravel/shingle
  • Best Time to Visit: Early morning or golden hour for photography and peaceful light
  • Nearby:
Castles, East Sussex, England, History, South East, UK

Pevensey Castle – From Roman Fort to Norman Stronghold

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Introduction

Few places in England carry as much layered history as Pevensey Castle. Standing on the edge of the Pevensey Levels, this site began life as the Roman fort of Anderitum, before being reused by William the Conqueror and later refortified through the Middle Ages, Tudor period, and even World War II.

Here’s a short look at one of Sussex’s most remarkable castles.

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Roman Origins

Pevensey began as Anderitum, a Saxon defence Shore fort built around AD 290–300. Its massive curtain wall, nearly 12 feet thick and over half a mile around, was designed to repel seaborne raiders. These Roman walls still stand today as some of the most complete in northern Europe, with distinctive red tile banding running through the stonework.

Norman Conquest

On 28 September 1066, William the Conqueror landed his invasion fleet at Pevensey Bay. He quickly turned the old Roman fort into his first stronghold in England, building a timber castle inside the walls. Within a year, William granted the site to his half-brother Robert of Mortain, who began constructing the Norman inner bailey in stone.

Pevensey view south downs east Sussex
Pevensey view south downs east Sussex

The inner castle was reinforced during the 12th and 13th centuries with towers, gatehouses, and curtain walls. It became a formidable fortress, enduring sieges in 1088, 1147, and 1264.

Later History

In the Tudor era, Pevensey was adapted as an artillery fortress with cannon emplacements to defend the coast. Even in the 20th century, the castle was reused — World War II saw the addition of pillboxes and gun posts, blending modern warfare into ancient stone.

Practical Info

  • Location: Pevensey, East Sussex
  • Access: Managed by English Heritage, with paid entry into the inner castle; the Roman walls can be walked freely
  • Best Time to Visit: Morning or evening for atmosphere; the mist over the Levels makes it especially striking
  • Nearby:

Conclusion

Pevensey Castle is not just one castle, but a timeline in stone — Roman, Norman, Tudor, and even wartime. Standing inside the walls, you are surrounded by nearly 1,700 years of continuous defence history. It remains one of the most remarkable historic sites in Sussex.