IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Friston Place, EASTBOURNE, BN20 0AW

Built in the late 1920s as housing for those working next door in Imagewhich lie at the end of Image Forest cottage is on the left and Friston Down is to the right.

The valley to the west of Friston has long been a source of water for local communities with large aquifers present underground. At the end of the Victorian period an adit 4.5km long was dug and a pumping station built to help serve the water needs of the nearby growing resort of Eastbourne. The original building was originally located to the south of the current one which was built in 1930 to replace it. To protect its sources of water from contamination from pesticides and fertilisers the Eastbourne Water company began planting the surrounding Friston Forest in 1926 though this project was halted in 1939 as some of the land reverted to agricultural use or was used for military training. The planting resumed after the war and has resulted in a forest that covers an area of 795 hectares. It is managed by the Forestry Commission who in turn has made much of it open access to the public with a variety of paths and tracks open to the walking and cycling members of public. Horse riding off the public bridleways, however, is limited to permit holders.

Rather grand in a way - but also fairly prosaic!

Opened in 1897 and still in use. This view looks in a westerly direction from the footpath that heads towards Friston Manor.

One of three entrances to this site, although only one seems used - not this one.

Both eventually end up on the A259, however, that on the left will take you to it near the entrance to Gayles, whilst straight ahead comes out on the road opposite Scabs Island.

The water pumping station is directly behind the photographer through some trees and fences. Not sure what it is there for.

Heading eastwards to Friston village and following the line of an old flint wall which predates the planting of the forest. Beyond was once Image The track isn't marked as a public footpath but like all others within the forest is open access and is a useful route back to the Friston and particularly the car park north of Crowlink. Friston Forest was planted in 1927 by the Eastbourne Water Company in order to protect their supplies from contamination from fertilisers and pesticides. The planting ceased for a while during the Second World War but continued thereafter and now covers nearly 900 hectares of former open downland between Friston and the Cuckmere valley. The land is still owned by a water company but is leased to the Forestry Commission who work the forest, however, all of the land is open access and is very popular with local dog walkers, hikers and cyclists though horse riders are restricted to using the public bridleways if they don't hold a special permit.