Castle Hill, Newhaven

The steep chalk cliffs are overlaid in places by clay, giving rise to extensive slump areas which result in an interesting mix of calcareous and clay substrates and associated flora and fauna. The Cliffs are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest specifically for its geological importance. The cliffs are home to one of the only colony of nesting Kittywakes in Sussex, as well as Fulmers, Peregrine Falcons and a variety of gulls.

The large north facing hill is dominated by gorse, Hawthorne and slowe scrub, which provide an excellent habitat for woodland birds, and some of our rarer species, for example the Dartford Warbler.

The cliff tops are dominated by one of Britain's most sensitive habitats, Chalk, maritime Grassland. The huge floral diversity present on calcareous grassland, makes it one of our most botanically species rich habitats, and is home to some beautiful and rare species such as the bee orchid. Butterflies and other insects are prolific within the chalk grassland flora.

There are a variety of mammals present including rabbits, and badgers. There are also good populations of reptiles, including lizards and grass snakes.

At the base of the cliffs is the West Beach, which has a small area of vegetated shingle, and a large variety of rock pools at low tide.

The proximity to Newhaven town, offers a great opportunity for local people to visit, but there are also facilities for car parking, and visits to the fort.

The archaeology of Castle Hill is very interesting, as the site has been a hill fort since the Neolithic period. The site has been of defensive importance since the prehistoric times, and continued to be so into the C20th, especially during the second world war. Former gun emplacements are located on the cliff tops, giving panoramic views to the South, East & West.

The site is managed by Lewes district Council & the Castle Hill Conservation Group.