Discover the Old Brickfield
Painting of the Old Brickfield by David Taylor
The Old Brickfield is a peaceful haven tucked between the sea and the railway line on Marine Parade at the western edge of Seaford. Centuries ago it was a tidal inlet, now it’s a rare and valuable habitat, rich with wildlife including voles, toads, grass snakes, butterflies, native grasses, and remnants of rare salt marsh.
Winding paths and wide-open views across the sea make the Brickfield a favourite spot for walkers, families, and nature lovers alike.
Depending on the season, you may spot a kestrel swooping down to the field in search of shrews, voles, and field mice that nest among the sea couch grass, false oat grass, and plants such as tree mallow, sea-purslane, and rare sea heath. In warmer weather, lizards, slow worms, and the occasional grass snake can be seen basking in the sun amongst the butterflies and the splashes of pink, purple, and white of tree mallows, toadflax, thrift, and vetches dotted across the field.
The steep slope offers good cover for nesting birds, voles and other small mammals. A small drainage tunnel near the railway connects the Brickfield to another local wildlife site known as The Dip. Frogs and toads live in the small wetland by the railway embankment. This area includes a rare salt marsh, a small vegetated shingle ridge, and many grasses and plants that offer shelter from the harsh sea wind to the creatures that live there.
🌿 Summer wildlife fair
Each summer we celebrate nature on the Brickfield at our wildlife fair. This year’s event was a big success. We were lucky with the weather and over a hundred people came to enjoy the sun and children’s actvities on the Brickfield.
A big thanks to all the members of the Brickfield Friends Group who helped to organise it and to Lewes District Council for its support.
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