3 men on a walk 2016: Hastings To Rye

Hastings to Rye along the Saxon Shore Path

At last a good weather day so we got up early; drove to Rye; caught the bus to Hastings and walked back to the car at Rye. Went this way partly because the wind was a bit sharp and from the west so we had our backs to it and also because the first 6 miles are a killer with very steep hills and we really didn't want to be doing this section at the end of a 12 mile hike.

The initial climb from the beach at Hastings to the top of the cliffs is a real pull and then you get some fantastic views along the coast and to the original Norman Castle The French King William of Normandy built as the base for his conquering troops after beating our King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It was at this battle that the French fired an Arrow into King Harold's eye and ever since those darn frenchies will poke us in the eye when it suits them.

Following the coast the path ups & downs steep valleys all the way to Fairlight cove and beyond. This is a very strenuous section but the views especially with the Bluebells out made it well worth the effort. Our first disappointment came when we finally reached the beach again at Pett Level and found "The Smugglers Inn" closed. Never mind, there is a cafe half-a-mile further along the path - but that was also closed. So we trudged on another 4 miles to Winchelsea beach where at last the cafe there was open and serving food all day.

We only had 4 miles left to run after lunch and most of this was across the "levels" - land that originally was under the sea but is now reclaimed via drainage channels crossing it. The trail passed the old ruin of Camber Castle, a fort built by King Henry VIII to ward off any French raiders that crossed from Calais only 21 miles away across the English Channel.