Normans Bay is on the East Sussex Coastline between Eastbourne and Bexhill and centrally located between the two large seaside towns.
Normans Bay is a small settlement of houses that spread along the sandy shore. There is a campsite there that drastically increases the number of people in the summer months. What makes the area special is the tranquillity that can be found by going onto the stretch of beach at Normans Bay despite being situated midway between the hustle and bustle of the two large seaside towns of Eastbourne and Bexhill. The quality of the beach is significantly better than they have elsewhere in the locality as well, being wide sand when the tide is out.
The whole area is protected from the sea by a shingle ridge sea defence that protects the houses and the area. The other side of the ridge is the bay.
Simon Carey / Norman’s Bay
The main settlement is situated between the sea, and the railway line and the other side of the railway is the area known as the Pevensey Marshes designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI). The marshes are an area of low lying wet grassland maintained by many drainage dykes and sluices. Pevensey Marsh is a nature reserve known for its aquatic interest and diverse flora and fauna. Different families farm the marshes, mainly with sheep but the Sussex Wildlife Trust manage the overall site.
A little inland from the main seafront area of Normans Bay is the Star Inn. A pub situated near some old sluice gates for the marsh and was once the sluice masters house. It became an inn around the time of Oliver Cromwell and was called the Star of Bethlehem, due it is said to the high numbers of shepherds who drank there. Over time people knew the inn as The Star, and eventually, that became the proper name. The pub shares a long and exciting history with the area and is said to have been the last smuggler’s stronghold in Sussex. There are many tales to be told around the log fire of the pub about bloody battles.
There was once a Roman Fort at nearby Pevensey Bay; it was one of the strongest Roman shore fronts. The ruins of Pevensey Castle remain there, and English Heritage cares for the site.
A little further inland on the marshes is the Herstmonceux Observatory and Herstmonceux Castle.
For shops there is a convenience store at the Normans Bay campsite and nearby Cooden Beach offers a Tesco Express. Although the castle dominates the location, there is a post office and newsagents at Pevensey Bay.
What makes Normans Bay special is the beach, the ability to walk for miles on the sand when the tide is out. In the winter, it is usual to see horses being cantered or galloped on the sand and its a great place to spot seabirds.