04 February 2011
From the 1st April 2011 the management of the Seven Sisters Country Park is being returned to East Sussex County Council from the South Downs Joint Committee, and as such management of the Park will change. The biggest change for South Downs Way users will be the closure of the Foxhole Campsite to the general public, in future, the campsite will only be open to pre-booked groups.
The South Downs Joint Committee was originally set up in order to manage the former East Hampshire and Sussex Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and many roles and responsibilities were delegated to the Joint Committee from the various local authorities. Since the creation of the new South Downs National Park it has been agreed that the Joint Committee will dissolve and its duties will either be taken on by the National Park Authority or return to the Local Authorities from the 1st April 2011.
Seven Sisters Country Park and Foxhole Campsite is one of management roles which will be returning to the local authority, East Sussex County Council.
East Sussex County Council Statement:
As of 1st April 2011, the campsite and camping barn will be open for pre-arranged educational events only. The facilities will no longer be open for general public use.
If your organisation or charity is interested in making a group booking, please contact the East Sussex County Council Countryside Management team either by email: countrysidemanagement@eastsussex.gov.uk or by phone: 01273 482670
The South Downs Way team will be working with East Sussex County Council to try and come up with other potential and long-term management solutions for the campsite so that it can still serve as an overnight stop for South Downs Way users.
Alternative campsites can be found in Alfriston and Jevington or the Youth Hostel in Eastbourne. For full accommodation listings on the South Downs Way please click here.