Welcome
​
This is the overview page - use the individual community tabs to learn more about each community.
Within the civic areas of Rother, Bexhill and Hastings & St Leonards there are ancient communities, all touching on Combe Valley. In alphabetical order they are: Bulverhythe, Crowhurst, Filsham, Hollington, Pebsham and Sidley. The Valley has two headstreams - the Watermill and Powdermill, which flow into the Combe Haven river - formerly called the River Asten. There is also a spring-fed stream from Park Farm and the Hollington Stream which join the Combe Haven in its lower reaches.
Inter-Valley Communications
​
Communities to the north and south across the Combe Valley Countryside Park are linked by the local 1066 Trail - a public right of way. This is NOT the same as the 50 kilometre 1066 Way, but is a local initiative by Rother District Council. However, since Combe Valley is naturally flooded into a giant lake every winter, the 1066 Trail is not always passable without waders and balancing poles. A transit in winter can be dangerous if you can't see where the edges of the rivers and streams are under the flood - so please take care. Wading water depth of 3.5 feet can suddenly become 12 feet deep! This site's Home page photo shows you how the Valley floods each year.
​
From west to east, the communities of Sidley and Crowhurst are linked via the Combe Valley Countryside Park Greenway - a hard surface track above the flood that can used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders all year round. You can walk from Sidley village centre to Buckholt Farm, then to Actons Farm and onto the Greenway which takes you to Upper Wilting, all above the flood. There is so much wildlife to be seen - 1,000 water birds plus, raptors such as buzzard, marsh harrier, hobby, merlin, sparrowhawk, red kite and barn owl and many other birds including herons and Great White Egrets, Cattle and Little Egrets - and occasionally - a White Stork.
​
There are also many publicly maintained and non-public paths, often very muddy in winter.