Rye, Camber Castle and Winchelsea

Two Land-Locked Former Ports Boasting a Wealth of History

This circular walk links the picturesque Cinque Port towns of Rye and Winchelsea by way of Camber Castle. The original five Cinque Ports (Dover, Sandwich, Romney, Hastings, and Hythe) were formed for naval defense in the 11th century, with the ancient towns of Rye and Winchelsea added later. Starting on Strand Quay in Rye, the route crosses Romney Marsh levels past Henry VIII's artillery fort to the historic hilltop town of Winchelsea.

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Start Point

Strand Quay

Grid Ref: TQ 91723 20247

Total Distance

6.6 miles (10.6 km)

Total Climbing

45 metres

Estimated Time

3 hours

Difficulty Grade

Easy

Trail Navigation Files:

💾 Download GPX Route Google Earth (KMZ) 📖 About Rye

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

Essential paper map for exploring Romney Marsh, Rye, Winchelsea, Tenterden and New Romney:

125 Romney Marsh & Rye →

The Walk Report

Leaving Strand Quay in Rye where the River Tillingham meets the River Brede, the route crosses drained levels past Camber Castle (built in 1538 by Henry VIII) to Winchelsea. Laid out on a gridiron plan by Edward I in 1288 after Old Winchelsea was destroyed by the Great Storm of 1287, Winchelsea features the magnificent 13th-century Strand Gate and St Thomas's Church.

The return path follows the Royal Military Canal and the base of Cadborough Cliff back across Gibbet Marsh to Rye.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.

Rye, Camber Castle and Winchelsea

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

The Walk Report

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