1066 Country Walk
A 31-mile long distance footpath in East Sussex which begins in Pevensey and ends in Rye. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: TQ 645 047
Distance: 31 miles (50 km)
Time: 12–15 hours
Duration: 2–3 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL25 Eastbourne, Beachy Head, Newhaven, Seaford, Hailsham and Heathfield
124 Hastings, Bexhill, Battle and Robertsbridge
125 Romney Marsh, Rye, Winchelsea, Tenterden and New Romney
Summary
The 1066 Country Walk is a long-distance footpath in East Sussex, south-east England. It follows the progress of William, Duke of Normandy, who in September 1066 brought his army to Pevensey, Sussex and went on to defeat King Harold in the town of Battle in what is now known as the Battle of Hastings. The outcome resulted in the Duke of Normandy becoming King William the First of England. The walk includes visits to 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. From the Norman landing point at Pevensey the route crosses Pevensey Levels to Church Farm and Herstmonceux Castle and then skirts Wartling Wood to Boreham Street. The route continues north to Brownbread Street before turning from north to eastwards and reaches Steven's Crouch. Next visited is Catsfield and then the town of Battle before heading due east through Great Wood and across East Sussex countryside to Westfield and to Icklesham before turning to north through Winchelsea to the finish in Rye.