january – Cole Moreton

Ravilious

Beachy Head, 1939 is by the artist Eric Ravilious, who often visited Belle Tout and other areas of the South Downs. It was recently acquired for the Towner Gallery in Eastbourne which holds the best of his works. The view is from the approach to Belle Tout lighthouse or perhaps from the lantern room atContinueContinue reading “Ravilious”

The Parson’s Hole

Four hundred feet below the lighthouse, there used to be a hole dug into the chalk. More like a cave, with a carpet, table, chair and lamp. A man sat in it night after night, either saving sailors from the rocks or guiding smugglers safely home. Or both. Parson Jonathan Darby is on record as theContinueContinue reading “The Parson’s Hole”

The White Arse

The wheatear comes here at this time of year. It’s a small bird with a white rump, which is where its name comes from. The original English name was White Arse, but the Victorians thought that was a bit rude. Here is the story of how a White Arse pie saved lives. The birds comeContinueContinue reading “The White Arse”

The Stars

Sitting in the lantern room of the lighthouse at Belle Tout is like being in a space capsule, suspended in the cosmos. The full velvet blackness of the night wraps itself around the room and there are stars at every turn.They are in the sky and in the sea, but it is hard to see where one endsContinueContinue reading “The Stars”

The Sunset

There is a soft pink light on the hills, as the sun goes behind the clouds half an hour early. From up here in the lantern room of Belle Tout lighthouse you can watch the walkers without being seen. The moon is rising, huge on the hill. It is almost full, a face blurred by a veil ofContinueContinue reading “The Sunset”