Fitzpatrick Woolmer was commissioned by Hastings Borough Council and Groundwork South to develop and deliver a comprehensive interpretation scheme for the Hidden Hastings Heritage project at Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve. Set within a landscape shaped by centuries of human activity and natural change, the project sought to reveal the many hidden stories woven throughout the reserve and inspire visitors to engage more deeply with its unique character.
The brief
The aim of the project was to create a connected interpretation experience that would celebrate the park’s rich natural, geological and cultural heritage while encouraging visitors to explore further across the landscape. The interpretation needed to feel welcoming, engaging and accessible to a wide audience, from local families and walkers to heritage enthusiasts and tourists discovering the area for the first time.
Working closely with the client team and project steering group, Fitzpatrick Woolmer undertook extensive research, interpretive planning and concept development to shape a visitor experience rooted in the identity of the site. Inspiration was drawn from the park’s remarkable history, including RAF Fairlight and wartime radar development, historic quarrying, Victorian tourism, Amy Johnson’s aviation links and the internationally significant habitats and geology that define the reserve today.
Design principles
A key priority throughout the project was ensuring that the interpretation felt fully connected to its surroundings. Every element was carefully considered to complement the landscape rather than compete with it, using a palette of natural and heritage-inspired materials including oak, sandstone, weathered steel and etched zinc. The designs were intended to feel timeless and robust while reflecting the character of the park.
The interpretation was also designed to encourage curiosity and discovery. Rather than presenting information in a conventional way, the scheme invited visitors to uncover stories gradually as they moved through the landscape, creating moments of engagement, reflection and exploration for audiences of all ages.
Our approach
Fitzpatrick Woolmer designed and developed a wide range of bespoke interpretive media, including entrance signage, orientation boards, themed interpretation lecterns, interactive heritage trails, wayfinding posts, interpretive benches, visitor centre interpretation and sandstone floor plaques.
The project encompassed every stage of delivery, from interpretive research and copywriting through to illustration, graphic design, mapping, artwork production, manufacture and installation. Alongside the core interpretation, interactive and family-friendly experiences were introduced to help bring the stories of the landscape to life, including tactile trail rubbing plaques and engaging visitor centre interpretation designed to inspire learning through exploration.
The result
The completed scheme created a rich and engaging visitor experience that encourages people to slow down, look closer and connect with the many layers of history and nature found throughout Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve. By combining thoughtful storytelling with carefully integrated design, the project successfully transformed hidden narratives into meaningful experiences that resonate with visitors long after they leave the site.
The result is a distinctive interpretation scheme that not only enhances understanding of the reserve’s heritage but also strengthens visitors’ sense of connection to this remarkable coastal landscape.
