Earnley: Nature and History

Earnley is a destination for visitors who want to include open countryside, wildlife watching and historic buildings in their trip. Its flat landscape, the Medmerry reserve and the medieval Earnley Church offer different points of interest. When looking for a hotel in Earnley, you can plan around whether you are primarily interested in landscapes and birds, architectural history or a particular place to visit. Tips on seasonal wildlife watching, parking and getting there help you prepare practically for your stay.

Nature and Coastal Landscape

As part of the Medmerry Managed Re-alignment Scheme, new sea defences were built inland from the coast, allowing a new tidal area to form on the seaward side. Earnley’s flat topography offers wide views across low-lying, marshy fields towards the beach. This makes it possible to appreciate the landscape both for its broad vistas and for the transformation of the coastal area.

In spring, avocets can be seen breeding at the wader pools in the Medmerry reserve. The season gives this wildlife-watching experience a clear focus; however, you should not plan on a sighting as a fixed part of your itinerary, as wildlife sightings can vary. If you want to focus your visit particularly on birds, take this seasonal condition into account when planning.

Getting to the Medmerry Reserve

The Earnley car park at the Medmerry reserve has 15 spaces and a height restriction. It is next to Earnley Concourse; the postcode is PO20 7JL. Take the height restriction into account when planning your journey, and check the latest parking information before setting off, as these details may change.

The number 52 Witterings bus stops at the end of Clappers Lane. From there, a footpath runs along Clappers Lane to Earnley Church; the Medmerry reserve is signposted at the church. If you travel by bus, check the timetable before setting off so you can plan your day around the bus times.

Historic Buildings in Earnley

Earnley Church has a 13th-century nave and a 14th-century chancel. The two parts therefore reflect different building phases. Worship has been held at Earnley Church for almost 800 years. The church offers visitors a tangible way to explore Earnley’s religious and architectural history.

The Earnley Conservation Area is centred around a small medieval church on a triangular plot between three roads. The church and the plot’s distinctive shape together define the character of the conservation area. Those interested in townscapes can look not only at the building itself, but also at how it fits into the surrounding street layout.

Earnley Place and Earnley Manor also reflect different periods of construction. Earnley Place was built in 1792–1793 from red brick with grey brick headers. Earnley Manor may date from the 13th century; its façade was renewed around 1800. This places a dated late-18th-century building alongside a possibly older building with a later refurbished façade.

Other Places to Visit

Tropical butterflies are the main attraction at Earnley Butterflies, Birds and Beasts. Rejectamenta is a nostalgia centre offering an educational look back at British life in the 20th century. The two attractions have different focuses: one on tropical butterflies, the other on a cultural and historical retrospective. Check the latest opening times and access arrangements for each before visiting.

When planning, you can weigh up the landscape and birdwatching at the Medmerry reserve, the historic buildings and the two attractions with their distinct themes. Seasonal wildlife sightings, parking information, bus timetables and the current visitor arrangements at individual attractions are the specific details to check before you travel.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Crowborough, Maresfield, Winchelsea Beach, Horam, Halland, Robertsbridge, Mayfield, Herstmonceux.

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