Walk A - Rye to Hastings
The walk is about 13 to 14 miles long, mostly flat before lunch and not flat
afterwards. There is an option of catching a bus to Hastings from very near
the lunch stop and a connection to it a couple of miles later, before the
most difficult (and spectacular) part of the walk commences, up and down the
cliff path. Please take care on the cliff path, which is likely to be
slippery following the recent rain.
Please respect the areas through which we pass, obeying the Country Code, I
particular closing all gates which we open, not leaving litter and keeping
any dogs you bring under proper control. This means on a lead when near sheep
and other animals, and when on or near a road.
We quickly leave Rye and walk across virtually flat fields to Winchelsea (3
miles) which I hope to reach about 1130. We skirt the main A259 road for a
few yards - be careful to stay on the right - and reach Winchelsea via a
short diversion up a hill path. Time for a late 11ses break there and a
possible quick visit to the church before descending the hill past the New
Gate (part of the old walls of the town) and along the Royal Military Canal
to the lunch stop at "The Smuggler", Pett Level/Cliff End (6 miles). I
propose to stop there approx. 12.30 to 1.30pm, where non-pub goers have the
nearby sea shore to feast their eyes upon. Then after a few minutes'
roadwalking (careful) we start the climb as the shoreline rises into the
cliffs. These cliffs are unstable so do not wander near the edge! We pass
through part of the residential area of Fairlight and up through the
Firehills to the coastguard station (8 miles) where there is a final option
at c. 2pm of walking to the parallel road (half a mile) and catching the bus
to Hastings. Otherwise it's up and down the cliffs through Hastings Country
Park (eschewing the Nudist Beach on the way) to emerge into Hastings,
hopefully by 5pm, via the East Hill and the Old Town, with several
opportunities for rests on the way. I hope to get either the 4.50 or 5.08pm
train back from Hastings, otherwise 5.41 or 6.41pm; about 1.5 hours' journey
time back to London. I have made a note of various connections eg to Bromley
South, changing at Orpington - please ask. Car drivers who have parked at Rye
can catch the train back from Hastings at 31 minutes past the hour. Enjoy
the day!
Walk B - Pevensey to Battle
The walk is about 14 miles long, mostly flat before lunch (about 6 miles) and
more undulating later. Ignoring the change between the Julian and the
Gregorian calendars, we are retracing the approximate route of a somewhat
larger and less friendly group of ramblers (and riders) from Normandy who
made the journey exactly 934 years ago today. To show the locals that
Blackheath Ramblers are a benevolent bunch it is important to be especially
nice to any Saxons we meet on the way, even Chelsea fans (any historians know
the connection?)
We walk from Pevensey & Westham station via Pevensey Castle, where the
Normans established their first base in England on the site of an earlier
Roman fort, and join the 1066 Country Way. We cross the A27 and walk across
the Pevensey Levels which may well be somewhat damp, overgrown, well
populated with cattle, sheep, swans, etc. Eventually we rise slightly above
all this and pass Herstmonceux Castle & Observatory along with a mysterious
complex which doesn't seem to welcome visitors. A bit of tricky navigation
off the 1066 Country Walk should then bring us to the Lamb Inn for lunch, by
1pm, hopefully earlier. Non-pub goers can admire the topiary nearby. After an
hour for lunch it's a brisk half a mile downhill and along a country lane -
be prepared for the occasional vehicle - and then via paths through to the
village of Boreham Street. Cross the A271 and turn right to use the footway
through the village; then turn left back onto the 1066 Country Walk briefly.
We then use other footpaths over various streams and up a hill to rejoin the
A271 (single file, using the grass verge) before soon turning off to the
right, down and up to the A269. Cross the road, turn left and use the verge
up the hill and round a right hand bend towards Ninfield. Turn left onto a
lane at the top of the hill and along to Marlpits (again not much traffic but
watch out for it) then via paths and lane to the B2095 at Catsfield. Turn
left and soon left again across a field and one more lane, then follow the
1066 Country Walk footpath to Battle, passing alongside Senlac Hill , where
the Battle of Hastings itself was fought. I expect to reach Battle between 5
and 6pm, where there are plenty of - em - retail facilities. The station is
about 10 minutes' walk further on, with trains back to London (Charing X) at
56 minutes past 5, 6, 7 and 8. Have a word with me re times of connections on
the way back for other destinations.
I hope you enjoy the day and will fly Blackheath Ramblers in the future!
(The connection with Chelsea FC for those who don't know is that 19 days
prior to his defeat at the hands of the Normans in the Battle of Hastings,
King Harold had fought and defeated the forces of his brother Tostig and the
Norwegian King Harold Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, near York,
which I visited in August. I hope all you southerners know Chelsea FC's
ground is also called Stamford Bridge).