25 years before the UK's first national park was created and 10 years after Peacehaven was founded on the cliffs between Brighton and Newhaven, forward thinking councillors in Eastbourne fearing similar development above the town sought an act of parliament to purchase the Eastbourne Downland Estate.

The Eastbourne Corporation Act permitted the council to raise taxes to purchase 4,174 acres of land and protect it for all future generations.

Nearly 3,000 acres of the estate is farmed and criss-crossed by 24 miles of public footpaths and 26 miles of public bridleways, and 1,200 acres is open public access land.

The open access land includes the world famous Beachy Head and Belle Tout, extending north along the chalk escarpment above Eastbourne to Willingdon, comprising coastal chalk cliffs, chalk heath, calcareous grassland, scrub and woodland.

There are 4 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 360 acres of woodland including 70 acres of ancient woodland, and 1,600 acres of species rich grassland.

The area has been occupied for thousands of years and evidence of farming can be found amongst the 28 scheduled monuments across the estate, plus dozens more remains, including many dew ponds.

The footpaths and open access field behind the visitor centre are a haven for butterflies.

Together with Shooters Bottom, the lowest point between Beachy Head and Belle Tout, there can be seen a colourful array of wild flowers in the summer.

Shooters Bottom and Whitbread Hollow are great locations for bird watching.

And from the Bomber Command Memorial you can often see Seals in the sea and on the foreshore.

The Jubilee Way was named in 1977 in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee.

Originally named the 300 foot contour path, the 6 mile footpath follows a route along the wooded slopes of the South Downs escarpment overlooking the town with views to the Pevensey Levels and Hastings beyond.

A walk can be combined with a return trip along the bridleway section of the South Downs Way or return by bus between Willingdon, the town centre and seafront.

Eastbourne Borough Council has a comprehensive management plan for the estate endorsed by the South Downs National Park Authority.