A former WWI aerodrome near Walmer Castle, now a green space open to the public with two memorials to the brave people who once served here.
Hawkshill Freedown is an Attraction. Area Deal
crafts.different.flamenco
Admission fees
Hawkshill Freedown is, today, a 13.7-acre public open space set on an elevated area of chalk grassland in Walmer on the Kent coast. The flat grassy plateau once played a significant role as a World War I aerodrome and has since been designated a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), reflecting its national importance for wildlife, particularly wildflowers and butterflies.
The airfield at Walmer was established in 1917 to provide an aerodrome close to the Channel for protection against attacks by German planes on shipping. Pilots who had been serving in France for many months were transferred here which, as well as protecting the shipping, gave them a rest from the terrible conditions in France. Many of the men came from as far afield as Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and all those stationed here liked it immensely.
"We pray you remember in the lord these gallant airmen who gave their lives in France and who were stationed at this aerodrome April 1917 October 1918."
There are two Memorials: the original one (with the above inscription) was presented by the Countess Beauchamp and unveiled and dedicated in a ceremony held on Saturday 7 August 1920. A new memorial was erected by Walmer Parish Council in 2017 to honour the pilots who died in battle in both WWI and WWII, when Hawkshill Down housed an important radar facility.
Currently tended by a group of volunteers through Walmer Council's In Bloom committee, Hawkshill is one of the few remaining chalk grasslands left in Britain. With the loss of almost 80% of the chalk grasslands in Britain, although Hawkshill is a relatively small site it is an important example of this type of habitat in Kent.
You can find more information about this special place on the Walmer Council website.
Browser does not support script.