Brede: Woodland Paths, History and Pumping Engines

In Brede, the range of travel interests spans woodland paths and countryside, local history and historic engineering. If you’re looking for a hotel in Brede, it can help to decide what you’d like to focus on first: would you like to explore the paths in Brede High Woods, learn about the area’s history or find out about pumping engines? These topics appeal to different interests and offer practical starting points for planning your stay.

Woodland paths and landscape in Brede High Woods

In Brede High Woods, paths and bridleways wind through dense ancient woodland, open grassland and sandy heath in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This means you’ll find a range of landscapes within the area: woodland, open grassland and heath. When planning your walk, consider which of these you’d most like to explore. Path conditions may change with the seasons, so check them before setting out. Brede High Woods is also the only known site of the flea beetle Longitarsus longiseta in the United Kingdom. The species was previously thought to be extinct there. This adds a specific point of interest for natural history enthusiasts to the area’s landscape.

Church, art and local history

The present-day St George’s Church in Brede was built around 1180. The church houses a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child by Clare Sheridan. This brings together the building’s history and a work of art attributed to a named artist: the date refers to the present-day church, while the statue depicts a specific subject and is by a particular artist. If you’re interested in history and religious art, you can consider these two aspects separately rather than judging the church only by its age.

Another historical landmark is Brede Place, which Robert Oxenbridge rebuilt in the 15th century. The history trail through Brede High Woods features medieval woodland banks, coppice and the former site of Brede High Farm. The trail’s stops bring together several themes: historic woodland features, coppice and the site of a former farm. Interpretive information and trail details may change, so check the latest information about the trail before your walk.

Pumping engines and planning your route

Brede Steam Giants is a museum of waterworks pumping engines, most of which date from the steam era. The collection includes triple-expansion and compound steam pumps from 1889. The engines can be demonstrated using compressed air. For those interested in engineering, this brings historic pumping engines together with a compressed-air demonstration. The Doleham Walk passes Brede Valley Waterworks and offers a specific route connection. Access conditions may change, so bear this in mind when planning your visit.

Brede Steam Giants can be reached from Hastings Rail Station by taking bus 2 to the Red Lion pub in Brede, then continuing on foot along Waterworks Lane for about 20 minutes. The time given refers to the walk from there. Check current bus services before travelling, as transport information may change. This lets you plan how to get there separately from deciding whether the collection, the demonstration or the route past the Waterworks is the main draw for you.

Discover more destinations: West Hoathly, Seaford, Brighton, Robertsbridge, Forest Row, Denton, Winchelsea, Rye

For the regional travel guide: East Sussex.