Long Distance Paths in the UK - The 1066 Country Walk

Long Distance Paths in the UK - The 1066 Country Walk

The 1066 Country Walk is a 50 kilometre (31 mile) walk that traverses the floodplains of the River Rother and Cuckmere popular with long distance walkers.

The 1066 Country Walk starts at Pevensey Castle and finishes at Strand Quay, Rye. In September 1066, William, Duke of Normandy brought his army to Pevensey, Sussex and went on to defeat King Harold in the town of Battle in what many people know as the Battle of Hastings. You can follow in the steps of William the Conqueror taking in historical sites on a generally low level walk through ancient towns and villages, over hillsides and through woodland, and passing oast houses and windmills. The route includes the Normans' landing point at Pevensey and the battle site, and the castles at Pevensey and Herstmonceux. The 1066 Country Walk then continues along to Rye, a hill top town famous for its smuggling associations, Winchelsea is one of the best-preserved planned medieval towns (or bastides) in Britain. There are spectacular views from the Winchelsea area over the beach and the English Channel and inland across the Brede levels to the wooded Weald. The remote settlements of Brownbread Street and Penhurst are particularly quaint and make for an enjoyable visit.

For those wishing to break this East Sussex walk down into more manageable walking routes the 1066 Country Walk passes through Rye, Doleham, Winchelsea and Pevensey all of which can be accessed by train from Ashford and the South Coast. The walk also passes through Battle, accessible by train from London within 90 minutes.

For a step by step walking route for the 1066 Country Walk click here