What follows is my landscape photography review of all the photo walks I have taken during September 2025. These included many dawn shoots along the east Sussex coast and on the south downs.
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Mad Jack Fuller’s Follies Walk, Brightling
Introduction
Brightling, a quiet village in the High Weald, hides a collection of follies built by John “Mad Jack” Fuller (1757–1834). Fuller was an MP, philanthropist, and notorious eccentric whose wealth and imagination left behind a unique landscape of monuments.
This walk follows a loop around Brightling, taking in all six follies: the Pyramid, Tower, Temple, Sugarloaf, Observatory, and Needle.
Here’s a short flyover reel showing the route in OS Maps 3D, with photos of each folly along the way.
See all my mapped Sussex locations
The Pyramid
Standing in Brightling churchyard, the 25-foot Pyramid is Fuller’s own tomb. Legend has it he is buried upright inside, so he could rise facing east on Judgement Day.
Built in 1811, it dominates the churchyard and is the most famous of his follies.
View Brightling Pyramid on Google Maps
The Tower
Brightling Tower rises on a ridge above the High Weald. Built in 1813, it’s said Fuller wanted to watch ships coming into the English Channel — though at nearly 10 miles inland, it seems unlikely.
Today the Tower is a striking landmark on the walk.
View Brightling Tower on Google Maps
The Temple
Tucked away in the fields is the Grecian-style Temple. Used for Fuller’s gatherings and amusements, it shows his taste for classical design.
Now surrounded by farmland, it adds a surprising touch of ancient Greece to the Sussex countryside.
View Brightling Tower on Google Maps
The Sugarloaf
The Sugarloaf is perhaps the most curious — a conical stone monument with no clear purpose. Local tales suggest it was built to hide the brickwork of a smuggler’s kiln.
Others think it was simply another of Fuller’s eccentric whims.
View Brightling Sugarloaf on Google Maps
The Observatory
Fuller was a supporter of science, and in 1810 he funded the building of an Observatory on the edge of Brightling.
Though it is no longer in use, the building is a reminder of his patronage of astronomy.
View Brightling Observatory on Google Maps
The Needle
The final folly is the Needle, a tall obelisk standing stark on the hill. Its purpose remains uncertain — perhaps to mark an estate boundary, or perhaps simply to bewilder posterity.
Whatever the reason, it completes the set of follies around Brightling.
View Brightling Temple on Google Maps
Practical Info
- Location: Brightling, East Sussex, in the heart of the High Weald.
- Access: The follies are scattered around the village; OS Maps or a GPS route is recommended. Parking is possible in Brightling village.
- Best Time to Visit: Spring through autumn for clear paths and views across the High Weald.
- Nearby:
Bodiam Castle – The Storybook Fortress of Sussex
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.
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:
- Bateman’s – The former home of Rudyard Kipling, also a National Trust property
- Great Dixter House & Gardens – A short drive away, famous for its historic gardens
- Robertsbridge Abbey – Remains of a medieval abbey not far from the castle
Storm Waves at Newhaven Lighthouse
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.
- View location on Google Maps
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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.
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
Mary Stanford Lifeboat House – A Silent Memorial on Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
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.
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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.
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:
- Rye Harbour Nature Reserve – full trail guide and birdlife
- Winchelsea Beach – just along the coast
- Camber Sands – dramatic open dunes nearby
Pevensey Castle – From Roman Fort to Norman Stronghold
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.
See more on Google Maps: Pevensey Castle
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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.
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:
- Hastings Castle – William’s later Norman fortress on the cliff above Hastings
- Herstmonceux Castle – A later medieval moated castle nearby
- Battle Abbey – Site of the 1066 battle that followed William’s landing
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.
Hastings Castle – The Ruins That Still Rule the Hill
Introduction
Hastings Castle may be a ruin, but it still commands attention. Perched high above the Old Town on West Hill, it offers not just a window into the Norman past but one of the most breathtaking views in Sussex — castle walls in the foreground, the pier and coastline stretching out beyond. To me, that’s more than worth the entrance fee.
One of my favourite vantage points in the area — here’s the full video Short. If you’re exploring Hastings, don’t miss this spot.
A Castle That’s Seen It All
Originally a wooden motte-and-bailey built in 1066, Hastings Castle was soon rebuilt in stone by 1070, making it William the Conqueror’s first permanent stronghold after landing at nearby Pevensey. Over the centuries, coastal erosion, neglect, and storms have taken their toll — especially the Great Storms of the 13th century, which destroyed large portions of the site.
By the Victorian era, what was left was romanticised as a ruin, excavated and reimagined for a new kind of tourism. Even the dramatic archways visible today owe something to 19th-century reshaping.
Not Just Crumbling Walls
Some people scoff at the £6.75 entrance fee, calling it expensive for “a few bits of wall.” But as a photographer and someone drawn to the atmosphere of old places, I see it differently. The framing of the ruined towers against the coastline is stunning, especially at sunset. And just standing there, imagining William himself looking out across this same horizon — that’s priceless.
This isn’t just about bricks and ruins. It’s about presence. It’s about putting yourself in the scene.
The Controversy
When I visited in June, a Pride flag was flying from the highest point. For some, it was a symbol of inclusion. For others, it sparked debate — was it appropriate to fly any temporary political or identity flag in place of the Union Jack at a site so steeped in national heritage?
Whatever your take, it stirred strong feelings. And that’s what these places do — they bring history into the present.
Practical Info
- Location: West Hill, Hastings, East Sussex
- Access: Best reached via the West Hill Cliff Railway or steep footpath from George Street
- Best Time to Visit: Clear days for views; sunset for photography
- Nearby:
- Rock-a-Nore – Hastings working fishing beach
- Hastings Country Park – Entrance via East Hill with great views over the old town.
- Hastings Pier – Visible from the castle, worth a visit too
Final Thoughts
Hastings Castle isn’t just a historic site — it’s a lens through which to view the past and the present. Whether you come for the view, the atmosphere, or the story, there’s something timeless here. And maybe that’s the point: the castle may be in ruins, but it still rules the hill.
Litlington White Horse & High and Over – Sussex Chalk Figure and Valley Views
Introduction
Above the village of Litlington stands a striking chalk figure carved into the hillside – the Litlington White Horse. From here the landscape opens into the Cuckmere Valley, a place of sky, river, and history. High and Over, the nearby viewpoint, is one of the best places to take it all in, with sweeping views over the South Downs to the sea.
A closer look at the White Horse and valley – watch the full video here:
Find it here on Google Maps or explore my own collection of All Map Locations.
History of the White Horse
The Litlington White Horse is a chalk hill figure first cut in 1924 by local villagers. It replaced an earlier horse that had faded into the grass and scrub. While it may not be as ancient as the Uffington figure in Oxfordshire,
it has become a much-loved landmark of East Sussex. Chalk figures like this are a reminder of human imprint on the Downs – visible for miles, yet fragile without upkeep.
High and Over
The headland above Litlington is known as High and Over – a name that perfectly fits its lofty position. This spot offers one of the best viewpoints in the South Downs National Park.
On a clear day, you can see the Cuckmere meanders winding their way to the sea at Cuckmere Haven, with Seaford Head and the Seven Sisters cliffs beyond.
Cuckmere Valley and River
The Cuckmere is unique as the only Sussex river to cut directly through the chalk South Downs to the sea in a natural valley. Its meandering curves near Exceat are famous among walkers, photographers, and artists. These sweeping bends are classic river features – oxbow shapes that one day may form oxbow lakes when cut off from the main channel. The valley itself remains a beautiful, largely unspoilt landscape.
Lullington and Surroundings
To the east lies Lullington, a hamlet claimed to have the smallest church in England. Walking down Church Lane here, with sunlight spilling across the fields, gives a timeless sense of rural Sussex. Goats grazing the chalk slopes and paragliders drifting above complete the scene – an ever-changing picture of people and nature.
Practical Info
- Location: Litlington White Horse, near Alfriston, East Sussex.
- Access: Car park at High and Over; footpaths lead to the horse and along the valley.
- Best Time to Visit: Clear days for views; late afternoon light gives drama to the valley.
- Nearby:
- Alfriston Clergy House – the first National Trust property.
- Cuckmere Haven – the river mouth with views of the Seven Sisters.
- Lullington Church – one of England’s smallest places of worship.
Friston Airfield Memorial – A South Downs WWII Tribute
Introduction
On the quiet slopes above Friston, East Sussex, a memorial stands to mark the site of a once-bustling wartime airfield. During the Second World War, this patch of the South Downs became an emergency landing ground and fighter base, where RAF and Allied pilots flew coastal patrols, engaged enemy aircraft, and escorted bombers back across the Channel. Today, the airfield is gone, but the memorial ensures that the men who served here are not forgotten.
Here’s a short reel from the site:
A simple stone memorial looks out across the Downs, inviting visitors to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made in these skies.
History
Friston Airfield was established during WWII as a strategic base for Fighter Command. Its location on the South Downs, just inland from the coast, made it ideal for intercepting enemy aircraft and providing protection for convoys and returning bombers.
The grass strip runway and temporary facilities saw intense activity during the height of the war. Spitfires and Hurricanes of the RAF operated here, later joined by squadrons from other Allied nations, including Poland and Canada.
The airfield also served as an emergency landing ground for damaged aircraft limping back across the Channel — not all of which made it safely. The memorial honours both those who flew from Friston and those who fell nearby.
Visiting the Memorial
Today, there is little sign of the wartime airfield itself — the South Downs landscape has reclaimed the site. What remains is a peaceful spot, with wide skies and rolling fields that once echoed to the sound of Merlin engines.
The memorial stone stands at the roadside near the village of Friston. From here, the views stretch across the Downs and out towards the Channel, a reminder of the very skies where the air war once raged.
Practical Info
- Location: Near Friston, East Sussex, just off the A259 between Eastbourne and Seaford.
- Access: The memorial is roadside and easily accessible by car. Parking is limited.
- Best Time to Visit: Clear days give the best views across the Downs and out to sea.
- Nearby:
- Cuckmere Haven – iconic valley and meanders meeting the sea.
- Beachy Head – dramatic cliffs with their own wartime history.
- Wilmington Long Man – ancient chalk figure on the Downs.
- Butts Brow Ruth-less Memorial – commemorates an American aircraft that crashed while attempting to reach Friston Airfield.
Reflection
Friston Airfield has vanished from the landscape, but the memorial keeps its memory alive. For those who stop here, it’s a chance to picture the roar of engines, the tension of combat, and the bravery of young pilots who defended these skies.
The Wilmington Yew Tree – Ancient Guardian of Sussex
Introduction
In the quiet village of Wilmington, East Sussex, an ancient yew tree stands beside St Mary & St Peter’s Church. Believed to be between 1,600 and 2,000 years old, this remarkable survivor is older than the church itself and steeped in history, myth, and folklore.
Here’s a short film I made exploring this extraordinary tree from every angle:
Trees like this remind us of the deep continuity of the land — they have seen whole cultures rise and fall. You can also find it on Google Maps and on my All Map Locations collection.
History and Myth
The Wilmington Yew predates the church by many centuries. Yews were sacred to pre-Christian cultures, often seen as symbols of eternity, death, and rebirth. Some believe this is why early churches were built alongside them — it made the process of converting older belief systems easier by reusing sites already held as sacred.
Over time, the yew gathered both practical and symbolic importance. Its wood was prized for making longbows, yet almost every part of the tree is poisonous — a paradox that only deepened its mystique.
Estimates of its age vary. The cautious figure is around 1,600 years, but some experts believe it could be over 2,000 years old. Hollowed trunks make precise dating impossible, adding to the sense of mystery.
Visiting Today
The Wilmington Yew still thrives, its huge branches supported by timber props. Standing beneath it, you can’t help but feel the presence of centuries. It is one of the oldest and most famous yews in Sussex, and a reminder of just how far back the story of this landscape goes.
Whether you come for photography, history, or quiet reflection, it’s a special place to spend time.
Practical Info
Location: St Mary & St Peter’s Church, Wilmington, East Sussex
Access: Free access to the churchyard during daylight hours. Parking in the village.
Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon for the best light through the branches.
Nearby:
- The Long Man of Wilmington – the chalk giant carved into the hillside.
- Alfriston Clergy House – the first National Trust property.
- Crowhurst Yew – another ancient tree to compare.
Crowhurst Manor Ruins – A Forgotten Fragment of Medieval Sussex
Introduction
You come for the yew — but stay for the ruin.
Tucked behind the legendary 1,300-year-old yew tree in the graveyard of St George’s Church, the ruins of Crowhurst Manor are easy to miss. But they speak quietly of medieval power and long-lost prestige. This was once a substantial moated manor — and today, only its fractured walls remain, weathered into the hillside.
Here’s a short look at what’s left — and what we know of its story.
Here’s a glimpse of the old manor wall in the morning light.
Watch the full clip above, and explore the history below.
🔗 Crowhurst on Google Maps
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The History
Crowhurst Manor was first built around 1250 by Walter de Scotney, a steward to the Earl of Cornwall. It sat within a moated enclosure — the kind of minor aristocratic estate that symbolised wealth and control in medieval Sussex.
Later, in the 1350s, it was reportedly enlarged or repaired under John, Earl of Richmond — an important royal figure who likely never stayed here, but whose influence extended across the region.
By the 19th century, it had already slipped into ruin. The moat remains faintly visible in satellite images, and one crumbling flint wall still stands beside the lane that leads past the church.
Today, few who visit the ancient yew realise just how close they are to this buried history.
Practical Info
- Location: Behind St George’s Church, Crowhurst, East Sussex
- Access: Footpath runs beside the ruin — visible from the lane, no need to trespass
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for soft light
- Nearby:
- Crowhurst Yew Tree
- St George’s Church
- Wilmington Yew
Closing Thoughts
There’s something haunting about a ruin like this. It doesn’t shout its history — it leaves you to find it. Overgrown, quiet, and slowly returning to the earth, it’s a reminder that even once-important places can fade into near silence.
But for a few moments, you can stand beside its stones and imagine the lives once lived here — under the same sky, beside the same yew.
Rock-a-Nore at Sunrise – Hastings Working Beach and Forgotten Cliffs
Introduction
Early one August morning, I filmed along the eastern edge of Hastings known as Rock-a-Nore — a name that comes from “rock against the north.” The light was perfect, spilling across the cliffs and over the shingle beach, where fishing boats still launch directly into the sea.
Below is the short film from that morning — a quiet look at one of Britain’s last working beaches.
You can view the area on Google Maps or on my own collection of All Map Locations.
The Hidden Heart of Hastings
Rock-a-Nore sits between the Old Town and the eastern cliffs, right where the land gives way to the sea. Unlike the white chalk faces of Beachy Head or Seven Sisters, these are Hastings sandstone — darker, layered, and more easily eroded. At low tide, it’s possible to walk from here all the way to Covehurst Bay and even on to Cliff End, though conditions can change quickly.
This part of the coast doesn’t get the same attention as the more famous cliffs along the Sussex coast — but in many ways, it’s far more alive.
The Stade and the Boats
The shingle beach here is called The Stade, from the old Saxon word for landing place. It’s home to the last full-time beach-launched fishing fleet in Britain.
There is no harbour. Boats are pulled out to sea using tractors and heavy winches, and returned the same way. This technique dates back centuries — adapted to the geography, and kept alive by generations of Hastings fishermen.
I was lucky enough to film a team launching one of the smaller boats into the morning tide. You can still feel the rhythm of work here — quiet but constant.
The Net Shops
Behind the boats stand the black wooden towers known as Net Shops — often called net huts, but their true name is older.
Built on tiny plots of land, each one is tall and narrow, designed to store and dry hemp fishing nets before the days of nylon. The tarred wood keeps them waterproof, and some reach three or four storeys high. You won’t find anything like them anywhere else in the world.
They’ve become an icon of Hastings — as much a part of the town as the boats and cliffs themselves.
East Hill and the View Across Town
Above Rock-a-Nore, the East Hill Lift rises up the cliff — the steepest funicular railway in England. At the top, you’re rewarded with views across the Old Town, the pier, and even Beachy Head in the distance.
From up there, you really see how the town fits together — hemmed in by the sea, the cliffs, and its own layered history.
Practical Info
- Location: Rock-a-Nore, Hastings, East Sussex
- Access: Easy via Rock-a-Nore Road, car parks nearby, and lift access to East Hill
- Best Time to Visit: Sunrise for photography; low tide if exploring east towards Covehurst
- Nearby:
- Covehurst Bay – wild, dramatic, and rarely crowded
- East Hill & Funicular – for the best views of Hastings
- Hastings Old Town – historic streets, local pubs, and galleries