This site lies adjacent to Newhaven Fort occupying a prominent position on the cliff tops to offer spectacular views over the Ouse Estuary, the Downs, Seaford Head and out to sea. Castle Hill is adjacent to Newhaven Fort and offers a variety of interesting coastal and terrestrial habitats. It also has fascinating archaeological, historical and geological histories. 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.

Flora & Fauna The cliffs are home to one of the colonies of nesting Kittiwakes in Sussex, as well as Fulmers, Peregrine Falcons and a variety of gulls. The large north-facing hill is dominated by gorse, hawthorn and sloe scrub, which provide an excellent habitat for woodland birds and some of our rarer species like Dartford Warbler. The cliff tops are dominated by one of Britain's most sensitive habitats, Chalk, and Maritime Grassland. The huge floral diversity present on calcareous grassland, makes it one of our most botanically species rich habitats. It 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.

Visitors Its proximity to Newhaven town offers a great opportunity for people to visit with facilities for car parking. The archaeology of Castle Hill is very interesting as the site has been a hill fort since the Neolithic period. It has been of defensive importance since the prehistoric times and continued to be so into the Twentieth Century; 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 and the Castle Hill Conservation Group.

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