Fairlight, East Sussex

Fairlight

The Fire Hills, Fairlight
Fairlight

 Fairlight shown within East Sussex
Area  6.1 km2 (2.4 sq mi) [1]
Population 1,682 (Parish-2007)[1]
    - Density  711 /sq mi (275 /km2)
OS grid reference TQ866121
    - London  54 miles (87 km) NW 
District Rother
Shire county East Sussex
Region South East
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town HASTINGS
Postcode district TN35
Dialling code 01424
Police Sussex
Fire East Sussex
Ambulance South East Coast
EU Parliament South East England
UK Parliament Hastings and Rye
Website http://www.fairlight.org.uk/
List of places: UK • England • East Sussex

Fairlight is a village in East Sussex, England within Rother district, three miles (5 km) to the east of Hastings. Fairlight is also the name of the civil parish forming part of the Rother district which includes the villages of Fairlight and Fairlight Cove. The village of Fairlight lies on a minor road between Ore, Pett and Winchelsea. St Andrew's Church (built 1845) has a tall tower and beacon turret, and can be seen for some distance around. The church is one of three in the United Benefice of Fairlight, Guestling and Pett. Richard D'Oyly Carte, founder of the Savoy Theatre, Savoy Hotel, and D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, which produced the Gilbert and Sullivan light operas, is buried in the churchyard. So also are Sir James Roberts of Saltaire and his wife.[2]

Fairlight Cove, the neighbouring settlement and part of the parish, suffered from coastal erosion and landslip at Rockmead Road and Sea Road. A number of houses there are very close to the sea edge and, whilst enjoying spectacular views, those roads suffered through demolition and abandonment of a number of properties. The Fairlight Preservation Trust - a registered charity[3] was set up with a view to combating the loss by erosion and more generally to enhance and protect the village. Sea defences were built in the 90s at Sea Road and at Rockmead Road in 2007. The 2007 works are intended to be effective for 50 years from 2007, and are regularly monitored by Rother District Council and by the Trust.

Although the nearest railway station is Three Oaks, Hastings offers a much better service and can be reached by bus from Fairlight. Rye and its station is also accessible by bus from Fairlight.

Landmarks

Hastings Country Park[4] stretches from Hastings to Cliff End, where it gives access to the beach; this is a favoured spot for fossil-hunters. The park also gives access to the beach at Fairlight Glen.

The country park is part of the larger Site of Special Scientific Interest called Hastings Cliffs to Pett Beach which extends into neighbouring parishes. The site is of both geological and biological interest.[5]

External links

Fairlight Community Website

References