Go for a Historical Walk in English 1066 Countryside

From London, I got a high speed train to Rye on the South East coast of England. Rye and the surrounding towns, more famously Hastings, are known as 1066 country and are steeped in English history. There are lots of walks available online and at the tourist information centre in Rye, but I chose to follow public footpaths on my OS map (Rye & Winchelsea Tenterden & New Romney125 - Explorer 1:25 000 scale).

From Rye train station, head down to the river (50.953293, 0.739659) via the quaint streets and past the busy harbour. From here, follow the river Rother North, inland on the Sussex Border Path, crossing under a railway bridge and crossing an old military canal. Past the Environment Agency hydro station cross the river to head up Boonshill. Here go through a farm (50.980329, 0.752902) and zig zag up a fern lined gully, crossing small trickling streams.

On top on Boonshill walk past the farms and oast historic houses onto a public footpath signposted pasture heading towards the small hamlet of Iden (50.982291, 0.730379) where there is a very cute pub for a bit of a refreshment.

At Iden follow the road west past more oast houses and continue through the apple country (50.980601, 0.717232), taking a scenic detour through orchards along the public ways marked on the map, eventually arriving at Iden Moat (50.979646, 0.708538) where you can learn about the historic settlement which once stood there.

From here continue on towards Peasmarsh, through more orchards and pastures, a farm (50.979646, 0.693788), and then through dense woods, always following the marked routes on the OS map. At Peasmarsh (50.975309, 0.685333) head south through the small campsite beside the pub and then through stables and paddocks along the public way marked routes. At the road junction turn right and enter the field on the left.

The route now follows rolling hills, on top of which you'll be able to enjoy views of Rye in the far distance. The marked path will soon cross a beautiful old church (50.965311, 0.686168) before joining onto the very well marked High Weald Landscape Trail, which leads all the way back into Rye across large fields of grazing sheep and cattle before joining a small winding river, ending close to the train station at Rye.

*This walk, although all along public footpaths, is not always clearly marked by a distinct path on the ground or clear way markers, so you WILL need a map/GPS and know how to use it.

*As ever, the English weather is unpredictable, so although there are several points where you can take shelter, catch a bus, call a taxi, always check the forecast so you have an enjoyable day.