Fairlight Glen

This beach is not to be confused with Fairlight Cove, which is 2km away.  It is marked on the Ordnance Survey map as Covehurst Bay.

History was made at Fairlight in 1978 when the local council designated it an official naturist beach – the UK’s first, although plenty of beaches were used by naturists well before then.  The area is susceptible to coastal erosion both on the beach and the cliffs behind.  This has ensured the surroundings remain natural but it sometimes makes access difficult.

Location

The beach is located in East Sussex, about four km East of Hastings.

Access and Parking

The nearest and easiest access to the beach is from the car park located on the North side of Fairlight Road at the top of the hill on a tricky bend shortly after leaving Ore on the outskirts of Hastings, although it would also be possible to avoid the long descent from that car park by walking along the beach from either Hastings Old Town or Cliff End when the tide allows.  Either involves tough walking over a rocky shore.  Other alternatives include using the beautiful but heavily undulating coast path from either another car park close to the old coastguard cottages near Fairlight Village or from Hastings itself.  Both car parks are signed ‘Hastings Country Park’.  The nearest to the beach is opposite Barley Lane, which lane has a lockable barrier and is now used as a cycle track: the relevant post code is TN35 5DT.  The car parks operate on a pay-to-park basis (£4.70 for a full day in July 2025).

To reach the beach from the nearest car park, head South down Barley Lane.  When the lane bends to the right continue straight ahead on a route recently confirmed as a public right of way.  This leads to an open area formerly used for parking from which a path to the right of the cottages leads down to the rocky base of a gully.   This should be used with care, particularly after rain.  Alternatively follow Barley Lane round to the right then take the first footpath (a track) on the left which will lead by a longer route to the base of the aforesaid gully just above a waterfall known as the Dripping Well.  Take the track leading downhill and after a few yards you have the choice of continuing on the track or taking the steps to the left down to a path passing the foot of the Dripping Well where bolder spirits occasionally strip off to shower.  The path is sometimes muddy in patches, but runs alongside a small stream with cascades down the heavily wooded Fairlight Glen itself, which is especially attractive in the spring when the woodland plants are in flower.  Alternatively continue down the track.  Both routes lead to the coast path, which is bordered by a fence.  At the lowest point of the coast path is a sign stating that access to the beach is closed but also stating that you can get there ‘at your own risk’.  This sign is next to a gap left in the fence to allow access!

The approach road from the Country Park car park on Fairlight Road is called Barley Lane (not a through road: essential pedestrian RoW only.  It does turn to the Right at the point where a private road kinks slightly left (but essentially goes straight ahead) toward Place Farm and it is once again possible to follow that private road to the re-instated footpath leading don from the very top of the Glen past Dripping Well to the beach.

From here on path maintenance is solely the work of regulars, one in particular.  .A recent winter landslip damaged the path, but ropes have been installed to provide reassurance both in this short section of the path and at the final descent of a few feet to the beach itself.  If this sounds daunting, the beach is still accessed by visitors of almost all ages including babes carried in arms.

The Beach

The bay faces south, but preservation action further west along the coast means the shingle is no longer reliably replaced by the action of the tides.  The top of the beach now has many rocks interspersed with shingle and pebbles and disappears altogether on high tides.  At low tide there is an expanse of sand which can be extensive, depending on the tidal range.  The sandstone cliffs and woodland backdrop make the beach a beautiful place to relax as nature intended.  There is a path behind the beach which leads to spots on the undercliff which can also be used for sunbathing, and is particularly enjoyed by the gay community; and it is possible to explore the coastline naked for considerable distances either west towards Hastings Old Town or east towards Cliff End - except when the tide is high.

The beach is sheltered and free from dangerous currents, though hidden rocks make it advisable to check with a regular on the best times and places to enter the water.  The view once in the sea looking back towards the cliffs is particularly stunning.

There are no facilities on the beach.  The nearest public toilets are in the car parks.

Naturism

The beach has been long established for naturism and there are a couple of DIY signs in place along the access path indicating the beach is clothing optional.  It isn’t currently ‘official’ (not that that makes any difference) but it has been in the past.  The beach use is generally mixed between naturists and non-naturists - but with naturists in the majority most days.  As you go further east from the access path, the beach becomes progressively more naturist.

Updated September 5th 2025 thanks to Laser member RogerP

5/9/25 Download by AndyWyman

Fairlight Glen at low tide.... photo by Phil W

Fairlight Cove at High tide showing rocks that make swimming less safe . Photo added by Andy Wyman Sept 2025 Photo taken by Keith

September 2025... Photos of the beach above taken recently by Phil W (Andy Wyman Laser PRO)