1066 Country Walk stage 3 – Three Oaks to Rye

The 1066 Country Walk spans 50km through areas of the East Sussex countryside that witnessed the Norman Conquest. The full route links significant places throughout the year 1066 – 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. Much of the 1066 Country Walk passes through the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making for picturesque views over rolling hills, past dozens of quaint oast houses and rustic farms, and through ancient woodlands teeming with wildlife.

This route is the third and final stage of the official 1066 Country Walk. Our route begins where we left off on the second stage, having followed the Hastings link footpath to the train station at Three Oaks. Note that there is no car park at this remote train station, so we recommend arriving by train to complete this section of the route. From Three Oaks station, following the Hastings link footpath, it’s around a 30 minute walk back onto the 1066 Country Walk path.

This stage of the route begins with some fairly flat field walking, where we were surrounded by ewes and their lambs as we walked in the Spring. The well-placed, bright orange signposts that are dotted along the Walk guide you up a short hill to the first sculpture of the day – ‘Legacies’ at Lower Snailham Farm. This is the first of three sculptures that you’ll see along this part of the walk that were inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, and culminating in the Battle of Hastings. Be sure to look back before heading through the farm to admire the views all around!

Next there’s a pleasant walk through Broad Street, where the paved country roads lead you past characterful cottages and oast houses, into rolling fields that eventually take you to a short but steep climb towards Icklesham. The official route takes you along the North side of Icklesham, skirting around the village before leaving out the other side, though if you’re in need of a rest stop at this stage you’ll find the Queen’s Head pub en route where’s a sun trap terrace with ample seating and gorgeous views over the countryside.

As you leave Icklesham along more quiet country lanes, you’ll spot Hogg Hill Mill – a Grade II listed building that houses the private recording studio of Paul McCartney. The route takes you on a gentle, grassy incline right past the old post mill, where you’ll enjoy your first views towards Winchelsea beach as you pass. The next point of interest is at Wickham Manor Farm where you’ll see ‘The Watcher’ – a sculpture depicting a sentry looking out for the Norman fleet. From here it’s a short walk through fields and along pavements before you reach Winchelsea – a quaint village with an interesting history and beautiful buildings full of character. The New Inn provides the last opportunity for a rest stop, with around an hour of walking until you reach Rye.

There’s more road walking between Winchelsea and Rye, though thankfully the roads are peaceful and you won’t see much traffic. After crossing the train tracks at Winchelsea station, there’s a gorse-lined dirt trail that leads right into Rye where the end of the official 1066 Country Walk route is marked with the final sculpture – ‘Treow’ – of a tree depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry.

We’ve graded this walk as ‘easy’ despite the time it takes to complete it. The terrain, while mixed, is mostly gentle and there are ample opportunities to stop off and rest. Rye is full of pubs and cafes where you can enjoy a sit-down meal or a light bite to reward yourself for completing the route, but we recommend taking snacks with you for the journey. Rye train station is well connected for your onward journey which, in our opinion, makes Pevensey to Rye the optimal direction to complete the 1066 Country Walk.

If you’re bringing your dog along for this walk, be sure to carry enough water for you and your dog on warmer days. There’s lots of wildlife and farm animals en route, and you’ll have to cross roads and a train line, so it’s important to stay alert to these and put your dogs on lead when necessary. While there are poo bins in the villages and towns you’ll pass through along this route, there are none through the countryside so make sure you bag up any waste and take it with you until you reach a bin.

Find pages for each stage of the 1066 Country Walk:

Stage 1: Pevensey to Battle

Stage 2: Battle to Three Oaks

Stage 3: Three Oaks to Rye

Full route