St Helen's Park

Introduction

St Helen’s Park occupies 104 acres nestled between the slopes of a valley with views accross the rooftops of Hastings to the sea. Situated at the foot of the High Weald and sheltered by ancient gill woodland. The park consists of wooded areas, meadows and freshwater ponds, all providing a home for a varied selection of wildlife.

The area is looked after by it’s own charitable organisation, The St Helen’s Park Preservation Society, which was formed in 1955 to save the land from development. Most of the land was purchased in 1959 with help from The Isabel Blackman Foundation, who also helped purchase a further 34 acres in 1985 and 1994.

St Helens Park was designated a Nature Reserve in 1988.

Nature & Wildlife

The woodland areas contain examples of Ash, Beech, Oak and Yew trees, and in certain areas over 100 species of plants have been noted, some of which are becoming rare within the UK.

The meadow areas flourish due to conservation management and the grazing horses. This provide a valuable habitat for flowers and wildlife. In the summer months the meadow grasses and wild flowers grow tall and are alive with caterpillars, butterflies, birds and small mammals such as voles and shrews.

Aboretum

This area was previously used for allotments and contains a wide selection of unusual trees from around the world. The grasses in this area are mowed in late summer to encourage the growth of wild flowers.

Hillside Fields

The steep slopes of these ancient meadows known as Hillside Fields are grazed by horses to help promote unusual flowers including Yellow Rattle and Red Bartsia, together with trefoils and clovers. These in turn provide a rich foodsource for insects including butterflies, grasshoppers and glow-worms.

Memorial Copse

The copse to the West of De Roamer Fields was created in memory of Alderman Arthur Blackman, the father of Isabel Blackman, who was the main benefactor of the St Helen’s Park estate.

Bill Vint Meadow

This was originally an orchard area when the estate was owned by Ore Place. Later becoming a grassland meadow grazing area for ponies. Today the Bill Vint Meadow is covered in dense grassland vegetation which has become a home for many insects and butterflies such as Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown.

Ponds & Streams

St Helen’s Park has five ponds and two streams which merge into one. Some of the ponds are free-flowing, others are full of vegetation and dry out in the summer months. These differences provide a varied habitat for many types of wildlife.

The main stream that runs through the valley of St Helen’s Park eventually feeds into Alexandra Park and down to the sea.

De Roamer Fields

This area has a light and open feel and is scattered with mature trees. There are views accross the estate towards the sea. In the spring there is an abundance of Bluebells, Common Milkwart and Dog Violets, which by summer is taken over by Common Spotted Orchid and Yellow Rattle flowers.

Woodland

The estate contains a mixed variety of trees within the wooded areas. In spring the woods come alive with scattered carpets of Anemones and Bluebells. Over 40 different species of nesting birds can be seen in the wooded areas including Tawny Owls, Woodpeckers, Treecreepers, Long Tailed Tits, Nuthatch and Jay. Large numbers of Chiffchaff visit the hedgerows in Summer to feed.

Visitor Access

There are eight access points from which you can enter St Helens Park. Some paths and tracks are uneven and can get muddy in winter months. Steps, stiles and gates are also dotted around making the area unsuitable for wheelchair users.