Sovereign Park

Location

Adjacent to the seafront between the Sovereign Leisure Centre and Langney Point two and a half kilometres north-east of the pier.  The park is on the seafront Dotto train route during the season.

History

Until the 1970s the eastern end of Eastbourne seafront was undeveloped.  The shingle here was built up by coastal storm action several centuries ago and had become colonised by plants and animals adapted to this habitat.  Plants have to tolerate extreme exposure to wind, salt, heat and unstable ground. 

With development going on nearby the council decided to preserve a small area of this unusual habitat as an informal nature reserve which has since been officially recognised as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance and it has won an environmental award.

Main Attractions

The park is of interest owing to the special flora and fauna associated with the rare shingle habitat.  May and June are the best months to visit as the area becomes very parched by mid-summer.  You are encouraged to view the site from the paths and boardwalk to help prevent trampling of the plants and flowers.  The adjacent promenade has panoramic views across Eastbourne Bay from Beachy Head to Hastings.

Facilities

• Café (Seasonal at east end of area)
• Picnic tables (At west end nearest Sovereign Leisure Centre)
• Toilets (Including disabled at east end of area)
• Information boards