We’re always on the lookout for our next big UK hike, having scaled the horseshoe ridge at Pen Y Fan, explored the South Downs Way, and walked across the width of England via the Hadrian’s Wall Path just to name a few! When we came across the 1066 Country Walk in Sussex we got stuck into planning our trip, intrigued by the rich history paired with stunning countryside. You’ll find specific details of the route on our Walks page, including the stages in which we completed the walk, but here’s an in-depth guide to everything you need to know about the 1066 Country Walk.
Table of Contents
History
The 1066 Country Walk passes through areas of the East Sussex countryside that witnessed the Norman Conquest, and links places that were significant throughout the year 1066. The route takes you from Pevensey, where William of Normandy prepared his army to meet King Harold, to Rye, passing through Battle where the Battle of Hastings took place. There are many historical points of interest en route to break up and enhance the walk, providing you with a true appreciation for the history beneath your feet.
Route and terrain
The 1066 Country Walk is a 50km (31 miles) route in East Sussex, over grassy hillside, through ancient woodlands, and along pavements in villages and towns. As with any long distance hike, you’ll need to come prepared with sturdy, comfortable walking shoes to provide you with support and prevent injury (or blisters!) as you cover the mixed terrain. The entire route is well signposted, with bright orange markers pointing you in the right direction at every turn, so it’s easy to stay on track!
We chose to break the walk down into 3 stages, though ultimately you’ll have to decide the itinerary that suits your needs in terms of fitness, where you’re staying nearby, how you’ll travel to and from the trail, plus how long you’ll allow to deviate from the route to visit points of interest along the way. While the route mostly takes you through open countryside, there are many towns and villages on the route that provide stopping points to rest and refuel.
We chose to stay in our campervan at a campsite in Pevensey and travel to and from the route by public transport. This meant that, at the end of our second stage, we walked an additional 30 minutes to reach Three Oaks train station via the Hastings link – a dedicated footpath linking the official 1066 Country Walk route to Hastings train station, via Three Oaks and Ore. There is another link footpath earlier in the route, providing a path from Powdermill Woods to Bexhill, however considering its proximity to Battle we’d recommend carrying on to Battle for better transport links for your onward journey. (More on where to stay and transport links below).
You’ll find a map of the full 1066 Country Walk route, as well as our individual stages, on our Walks page. These include details of facilities and places to eat, what to see during each stage, transport links and our recommended tips from walking the route:
Stage two: Battle to Three Oaks
Stage three: Three Oaks to Rye
Sightseeing
Along the 1066 Country Walk there are many points of interest and historical landmarks to discover:
Pevensey Castle, the start point of the Walk, marks where the Norman Conquest of England began when William the Conqueror landed in Pevensey Bay in September 1066. Here you can scale the battlements and enjoy views across the Sussex countryside, explore the dungeon rooms, and learn more about this incredible castle in all its iterations throughout the years. Pevensey Castle is maintained by English Heritage and is free to enter for members. For non-members, you can get 15% off the cost of your ticket by booking in advance. If you’re short on time and can’t visit the Castle itself, the surrounding grounds are free to stroll through and you’ll be able to admire the Castle moat and incredibly well-preserved architecture of the Castle walls. Dogs are also welcome to walk through the grounds here. Find more information on the English Heritage website.
At Battle, the town named after the famous Battle of Hastings, you’ll find another impressive piece of Norman history at Battle Abbey. The Abbey is said to have been built, at William the Conqueror’s request, on the exact site where King Harold died. Here you can explore the ruined Abbey, climb the gatehouse for panoramic views, and walk on the historic battlefield accompanied by an audio guide providing context of the dramatic events the took place during the Battle of Hastings. Like Pevensey Castle, Battle Abbey is maintained by English Heritage so charges apply to non-members, though you’ll find discounted tickets online if you book in advance. Find more information on the English Heritage website.
While you’re travelling along the 1066 Country Walk be sure to look out for 10 sculptures created by local artist Keith Pettit. Each sculpture was inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry and the history throughout 1066 Country, and is accompanied by an information board giving you insight into the meaning behind each artwork. A few that stood out to us include the large Norman longboat at Pevensey Castle, the divided human figure representing King Harold and King William just outside Battle, and the elaborate monoliths with hawthorn blossoming inside at Westfield. That being said, each sculpture is beautifully carved and we were excited to find every one, not only to provide us with a brief rest stop but to read more about the history of 1066 as we walked. You’ll find an illustrated guide to all the sculpture locations here.
Much of the 1066 Country Walk passes through the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making for sweeping views over rolling hills, passing dozens of quaint oast houses and rustic farms, and wandering through ancient woodlands teeming with wildlife. Walking in early Spring, we were fortunate enough to spot sheep with their tiny lambs, as well as dozens of field mice, pheasants, kites and deer. It’s not just the history that makes this walk so special – take your time in between the historic sights to appreciate the flora and fauna all around you.
There are many characterful villages and towns on the route, but one of our favourites we passed through was Winchelsea. Though not connected with the events of 1066, the town has a rich and interesting history, where the ever-changing coastline has shaped its prosperity and population. The grid layout makes it unusual for an English town, and there is a network of cellars below ground that make up possibly the largest collection of medieval wine cellars in the country. Tours of the cellars are available on select dates throughout the year, and provide insight into the history of Winchelsea and its important role as one of the Cinque Ports.
You’ll take your final steps of the 1066 Country Walk at the end point in Rye, where an official board and the last of the 10 sculptures welcomes you to the town. We’ve previously written about Rye as one of our 10 Beautifully Picturesque Places to Visit in England, as well as outlining a short 30 minute Rye circular walk that you could add on to the end of your trip (if your feet will allow you!). There’s plenty of history to discover here, from the defensive medieval Landgate, to the Norman Church of St. Mary, as well as many postcard-perfect alleyways and roads including the famous Mermaid Street. It’s a truly beautiful town with gorgeous sights around every corner, and it draws us back time and time again. You’ll want to dedicate a few hours to explore Rye for yourself, or consider staying here to celebrate completing your 50km walk. Which brings us to…
Where to stay for the 1066 Country Walk
As we’ve mentioned, we chose to stay in Pevensey for the duration of our trip and access different stages of the route via public transport (more information on that coming up next!). If you have a campervan or motorhome, or are looking to pitch a tent over your time in 1066 Country, we highly recommend staying at Fairfields Farm Caravan & Camping Park. The campsite has piping hot showers, a well-stocked on-site shop, laundry facilities, and a small farm adjacent to the site where you can see goats, sheep, turkeys and peacocks. From here it’s just a 15 minute walk to Pevensey Castle, the start point of the 1066 Country Walk, and a short 5 minute walk to Pevensey and Westham train station to travel to other stations on the Walk. This campsite is adult-only, so if you’re planning on walking all or part of the route with children, check out the highly rated Bay Hotel that has family rooms, is located a stone’s throw from the beach at Pevensey Bay, and is a 20 minute walk along a paved footpath to Pevensey Castle. See more Pevensey accommodation options here.
At the midway point of the Walk, in Battle, you’re spoilt for choice with accommodation – from hotels in the town centre, to quiet cottages and glamping pods a short walk away from the town. The Abbey Hotel is right on the Walk route, and provides you with a view of Battle Abbey from your window as it’s situated on the opposite side of the road! The building is Grade II listed and the restaurant inside serves locally sourced food and ales for an authentic taste of 1066 Country. If you’re looking for self-catering accommodation, just next door is Abbey Nest – a private, one bedroom apartment with its own entrance and of course, the same stunning view of Battle Abbey just across the road. There’s also a fully equipped kitchen so you can prepare your own snacks and lunches for your days of hiking the 1066 Country Walk. See more Battle accommodation options here.
In the idyllic town of Winchelsea, where the population is only around 500 people, you’ll enjoy a peaceful stay at the New Inn. Ideally located on the path for the 1066 Country Walk, this quirky 18th century building is full of charm – think wonky floors and low ceilings! It boasts an equally charming dog-friendly pub on the ground floor, and views over to the Church of St. Thomas from the bedroom windows. Just down the road, Strand House offers a variety of rooms in a converted house, with a bar on site and breakfast included to fuel you for a day of walking! See more Winchelsea accommodation options here.
There’s an abundance of characterful places to stay in Rye, at the end point of the 1066 Country Walk. We’d highly recommend booking one of the many quirky apartments or B&Bs in the town, to immerse yourself in the charm of this medieval town. Having strolled along Rye’s famous Mermaid Street countless times, we were delighted to find that one of our favourite houses on the street, The House With Two Front Doors, now offers self-catering accommodation! The 15th century house has two bedrooms available to book, with a shared kitchen, private bathroom, housekeeping service, outdoor seating area and bicycle parking. Waking up in such a historical building, on a world famous street, is the perfect way to end your time walking across 1066 Country. Just a few roads over, The Crooked Loft is a 16th century top floor apartment with one bedroom, a fully-equipped kitchen, and views across the rooftops from the balcony. The perfect place to rest and relax after a few days of hiking, and just a stone’s throw from all the pubs and restaurants in the surrounding streets. See more Rye accommodation options here.
While the 1066 Country Walk doesn’t take you through Hastings, it’s the one town that we’d still recommend finding accommodation in as it has excellent transport links to the surrounding towns from which you can continue your hike. Just a 10 minute walk from Hastings train station you’ll find Hastings Casita – a cosy, self-contained tiny home with a kitchen, lounge and bedroom, with free parking outside the house if you need to arrive by car. On the other side of town, a short walk from the Old Town, is the Old Rectory offering ensuite rooms, a bar, breakfast and even a spa to unwind after long days of walking! See more Hastings accommodation options here.
Transport links
The 1066 Country Walk is very well connected by public transport, and local buses run throughout the towns and villages along the route. However, if you choose to travel by public transport we’d recommend taking trains. The buses take longer as they have to wind along country lanes, they are less frequent, and you may find yourself travelling out of your way to reach bus stops. There are central train stations at each large town en route, with a few smaller stations in the remote villages. These smaller stations may help you break up your route between large towns, but be sure to take a look at the timetables ahead of your arrival as trains may be infrequent at these stations. At Three Oaks, we had to be sure to time our arrival at the station well as only 1 train stops here every hour! Here are some details of the larger train stations to connect you to the 1066 Country Walk:
Pevensey and Westham:
- Direct trains from London Victoria (via Gatwick Airport, Haywards Heath, Eastbourne)
- Direct trains from Hastings (via St Leonards Warrior Square, Bexhill)
- Direct trains from Ashford International (via Rye, Winchelsea, Three Oaks, Hastings, St Leonards Warrior Square)
Battle:
- Direct trains from London Charing Cross (via Orpington, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells)
- Direct trains from Hastings (via St Leonards Warrior Square)
Hastings:
- Direct trains from London Charing Charing Cross (via Orpington, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Battle)
- Direct trains from Brighton (via Lewes, Eastbourne, Bexhill, St Leonards Warrior Square, Hastings)
- Direct trains from Ashford International (via Rye, Winchelsea, Three Oaks)
- Direct trains from Eastbourne (via Pevensey and Westham, St Leonards Warrior Square)
Rye:
- Direct trains from Eastbourne (via Pevensey and Westham, St Leonards Warrior Square, Hastings, Three Oaks, Winchelsea)
- Direct trains from Ashford International
What to carry
While the 1066 Country Walk covers mostly flat ground, and passes through enough towns to top up your supplies, it’s still important to be prepared with a few essential items for your walk:
Water. Starting with the most obvious one, you should always carry enough water for everyone in your party, including extra supplies for your dogs if they’re joining you on your journey! We invested in water bladders before taking on the Hadrian’s Wall Path, and they’ve been a game-changer on every long distance hike we’ve completed since. We find we stay more hydrated with these than a regular water bottle, as they’re so easy to access any time you need a sip. For dogs, we carry these foldable silicone bowls with lids, so they can also be used to store food and treats. There are sections of the route where you won’t pass through a town or village for miles, so it’s vital to carry enough water with you.
Dicky Bag. If you are bringing a dog with you, consider carrying a Dicky Bag to help keep the countryside clean. It is essentially an odour-proof, portable poo bin – it has two compartments for empty and full poo bags, so you can store full poo bags away instead of carrying them in your hands for miles. This is especially useful on routes like this one where there are no poo bins in sight throughout the stretches of countryside walking. We don’t know how we ever got by without one! Read our full review of Dicky Bag here.
Snacks. Another essential! We previously written about Our Top Snacks to Keep You Going on a Hike, and it’s important to carry a few for this route. While there are towns and villages along the way to grab a quick bite, at various stages these stopping points are few and far between, so make sure you’ve got enough fuel with you to keep you moving!
Weather-appropriate items. Always consider the unpredictable nature of English weather when you’re packing for a hike! You’ll need to take waterproofs with you for rainy days to avoid a sudden shower affecting your trip – there’s nothing more uncomfortable than walking in rain-sodden clothes for hours! Equally, if you choose to follow the 1066 Country Walk in Summer, come prepared with hats, sunglasses and suncream to protect yourself during the stages where you’ll pass through wide open fields with little shade from the sun.
Insect repellent. Before a road trip around Scotland one Spring, we saw dozens of recommendations for Smidge spray being the best repellent for midges and other insects, and now we always have a can in our campervan! If you’re prone to bug bites it’s the highest rated bug spray and it doesn’t leave you feeling sticky. We’d also recommend investing in a tick tool if you haven’t already, especially if you’re walking the route in Spring or Summer. Ticks can be abundant in long grass – the countryside terrain of the 1066 Country Walk is a good habitat for them and they can make you seriously ill if left buried in your skin, or if you attempt to take them out without an appropriate tool. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Maps. Even though the route is well signposted, we always download maps onto our phones and recommend you do so in case you lose your way or need to deviate from the path and find your way back. You can easily download the full route, or our individual stages, on our Walks pages where you’ll find links to our OS Maps routes. If you prefer to carry a paper map, OS Explorer Map 124 covers the majority of the 1066 Country Walk, from the start point at Pevensey up to Winchelsea. (From Winchelsea it’s around an hour of walking to reach the end point at Rye).
Things to know
A few little tips to help you have an enjoyable and stress-free hike!
- Wear comfortable shoes. This is always our number one tip for any long distance walk. Be prepared for the changeable terrain and weather by wearing sturdy, comfortable walking shoes that you’ve already broken in before starting the walk.
- Follow the orange signposts. In recent years the 1066 Country Walk received a grant that contributed towards the installation of new, bright orange signage along the route. These orange signs are difficult to miss, so you can relax and enjoy the views! Larger signs will tell you how many miles it is until the next town, in case your weary feet need motivation to get there!
- Plan your days. We took 3 days to complete the 1066 Country Walk, beginning with a long stage on the first day during which we completed half the route, so the remaining 2 days felt like a breeze! Ultimately you’ll have to decide the distance you’ll be able to cover each day, based on your level of fitness and where you’ll be staying, but we’d also recommend taking a look at the transport links as parts of the route are very remote. On our second day, we had to walk 30 minutes off the route via the Hastings link to arrive at the nearest train station where we could catch a train back to Pevensey. Even so, there was only 1 train per hour and we had to time our arrival at the station precisely, so we wouldn’t be waiting another hour for the next train!
- Break up the route. It is definitely possible to complete the 1066 Country Walk in one stint if you’re a seasoned long distance walker. However, we’d recommend breaking the route up into at least 3 stages to be able to take your time and truly appreciate your surroundings, as well as the rich history you’ll discover along the way.
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