HILLY HIKE 20km Hastings to Rye - Saxon trails and Medieval Coastal Towns

📏 Key Info:
• Distance: 12 miles (20km)
• Grading: Intermediate but with tough hills
• Ascent: 468m
• Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
• Cost: £33 (includes guided hike + return train)
• Refunds: Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you follow our [Resale Process] and your place is rebooked, we’ll issue a refund.
• Toilet Breaks: On the train, 1 hour after the lunch stop, and at the end pub

📍 Meeting Point
• Location: Victoria station. Meet between WHSmith (no 34) and Nero Express (no 29) - MAP & photo
• Time: Meet 8:20am, leave 8:40am for the 8:54am train
• Return: 8:36pm arrival back in London (you’re committed until then)

🌟 Highlights
• Explore Hastings, home to Europe’s largest beach-launched fishing fleet and historic net huts
• Follow the scenic Saxon Shore Way along one of the South East’s most dramatic coastlines
• Enjoy panoramic cliff-top views, with France visible across the Channel on a clear day
• Visit Winchelsea, a medieval port town once on the coast before the sea receded
• Discover the cliffs’ Site of Special Scientific Interest, where dinosaur fossils and crocodile remains have been found
• End in Rye — one of England’s most enchanting medieval towns, with cobbled streets and timbered houses

🥾 Hike Description
Our hike begins in Hastings, best known as the site of the famous 1066 battle where William the Conqueror defeated King Harold. Today, Hastings is a lively coastal town and home to Europe’s largest beach-launched fishing fleet, a sight made even more distinctive by the tall black wooden fishing net huts that line the seafront.

From here we join the Saxon Shore Way, a historic coastal route named after the Roman forts that once guarded England’s shores. The path climbs onto dramatic sandstone cliffs that have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for both their geological and biological importance. As we traverse the cliff tops, the sea views are spectacular, with France sometimes visible across the Channel. Along the way, we’ll learn how the cliffs have revealed dinosaur fossils and even crocodile bones from the Early Cretaceous Period, over 140 million years ago.

The route then leads us inland to Winchelsea, a medieval port town founded in the 13th century. Once a thriving harbour, the sea has since retreated, leaving Winchelsea perched inland but still rich in history, with ancient walls, medieval cellars and atmospheric streets to explore.

We finish in the enchanting town of Rye, one of England’s most beautifully preserved medieval gems. With its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and centuries-old inns, Rye provides a perfect finale to our hike. Time is tight even with an early start and very late return, but you’ll usually have enough time for a quick pub drink or short wander before we head back to London.

TOUGHNESS, PACE - this hike has some big and tough hills, also it's done at a good pace as timings are tight, please only sign up if you are happy with this.

🧭 Guide:
• Leader: GRAHAM
• Contact (hike day only): 07796 098487

🍽️ Food:
• Bring a packed lunch
• Pub visit after the hike (drinks optional)

🎒What to Bring
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Water (2 litres minimum)
• Packed lunch
• Waterproofs (jacket and trousers)
• Hat and gloves if cold
• Train tickets are arranged – just meet us at the meeting point

⚠️ Safety
Your guide is a trained hike leader and Outdoor Activity First Aider

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