Rye Harbour walk

Our annual festive walk from Rye Harbour is ideal for those that don't like hills (yes there are some), but it is also a good way to get some easy miles after the excesses of Christmas, on a virtually flat coastal walk of around 11 miles.

Popping over the county border into East Sussex, we explore the Nature Reserve as well as the edges of Rye & Winchelsea, both of whom were medieval Cinque Ports. Underfoot the going should be generally good, along firm paths & tracks, but muddy stretches shouldn't be ruled out, during the Winter months.

Leaving the car park, initially we are walking alongside the Harbour Road, before we cut off left into the Nature Reserve, which could be muddy in places, following a path towards Brede Lock. We bear left to pass by Camber Castle, which was built by Henry VIII at the time of an invasion scare in 1530, before continuing through Castle Farm and onwards towards Winchelsea.

Staying on the Saxon Shore Way, our route then sees us walk alongside the Royal Military Canal, which is our companion until we reach Pett Level, before turning left to eventually reach Winchelsea Beach. Further along, once again in the Nature Reserve, we pass by the old Mary Stanford Lifeboat House, which remains, although tragically the whole crew perished in gale-force conditions in the early 19th century.

As per usual there will be a snack/lunch stop en route, whilst there is the opportunity for a post walk drink in the William the Conqueror in Rye Harbour.

Walk leader is Kevin Hall