Fairlight Cove

Fairlight Cove is one of the wilder and more remote beaches on the East Sussex coast, accessible only on foot via steep cliff paths from Hastings Country Park or by scrambling along the shore from Pett Level at low tide. The beach sits at the base of high, unstable sandstone and clay cliffs that are subject to regular landslides, and the resulting constant supply of newly exposed rock makes it a popular destination for fossil hunters. Finds include plant material, bivalves and, occasionally, dinosaur bones and footprints. The beach itself is predominantly shingle and rock, with a wider expanse of flat sand revealed at low tide. Approximately 25,000 tonnes of granite rock armour have been placed on the shore in recent years to slow cliff erosion. The Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve, which encompasses the cliffs above, is an SSSI and a Special Area of Conservation.

Dogs are welcome at Fairlight Cove year-round, and the remote setting means encounters with other beach users are minimal. The challenging access keeps visitor numbers low, which suits dogs who prefer space and quiet. The beach rewards exploration at low tide, with rock pools, fossil-rich cliff faces and wide, firm sand underfoot. Owners should note that cliff falls are frequent and unpredictable, and keeping dogs away from the cliff base is strongly advisable. The steep path access means the beach is unsuitable for dogs with mobility issues. There are no facilities of any kind at the cove. Access via Hastings Country Park from the Firehills car park involves a 20-minute steep descent.