1066 Circular This Is a Real Rollercoaster Ride with Most Visible Evidence of That Period

eastsussex.gov.uk

Cycling in East Sussex: Coastal Route Guide 1066 circular This is a real rollercoaster ride with most visible evidence of that period. almost 3000 ft (900m) of climbing, During the Middle Ages, Hastings was linking the coast with the woods the head Cinque Port, duty bound to and hills of the Weald. supply ships and men in the event of Hastings – Whatlington an invasion, and is now home to the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in The ride begins by following the wide the country. The Old Town to the east promenade westwards along Hastings is the picturesque fishermen’s quarter seafront before a steep climb away which features weather-boarded from the sea along the outskirts of the houses along its narrow alleys, sitting town towards Crowhurst. A busy climb alongside the Jerwood art gallery on on the B2095 is rewarded with the The Stade. delights of historic Battle, the site of the Battle of Hastings. Continue north Phone: 01424 781111 through Whatlington and you are back Website: visithastings.com into woodland, carpeted with bluebells Battle The Battle of Hastings was and wild garlic in the spring and verges fought on the slopes of Senlac Hill, of wildflowers until autumn. below the town. On the site of his Robertsbridge – Hastings victory William the Conqueror built Passing through pretty Robertsbridge an abbey; the high altar marks where with its many fine old buildings, the Harold fell. Little but the foundations descent towards the River Rother and the monks’ dormitory survive. affords splendid views of Bodiam Phone: 01424 773792 Castle. Ewhurst Green has lovely Website: battle1066.com old oast houses and a curiously- shaped steeple on the church as The High Weald Area of Outstanding you pass by on the way to Northiam. Natural Beauty (AONB) is a historical Keep an eye out for the unusual countryside of rolling hills draped mullioned windows in the roof and by small, irregular fields, abundant the beautifully carved lych gate at woods and hedges, scattered Beckley church. Pass through the farmsteads and sunken lanes. The coppiced woodland of Beckley Woods word ‘Weald’ means wilderness or then descend to almost sea level to forest: the High Weald was once an cross the River Brede. A final long untamed, wooded area, with patches climb towards Three Oaks allows you of wild grassland and heathland. At to re-enter Hastings from the east, the time of Domesday (1086) the High dropping down through the historic Weald was the most densely wooded Old Town and back to the promenade. area of England and even now boasts the highest proportion of ancient Places of Interest → woodland in the country. Hastings The town is synonymous Bodiam Castle Built in the 14th century with the Norman Conquest, although by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge to guard this the ruined castle on the hill is the vital crossing point on the River Rother

2 – a potential route inland for French Northern loop with short cut via invaders – Bodiam is a picture-book Sedlescombe – castle with rounded corner towers, 28 miles/45 kms battlements, portcullis and moat. NB There are two shorter options Phone: 01580 830436 – (a) start from Hastings but go via Website: nationaltrust.org.uk/ Sedlescombe to Brede and rejoin the places/bodiamcastle main route, missing out the northern section or (b) start from either Northiam The ancient oak on the Robertsbridge or Northiam, use the village green is said to be 1000 years Brede to Sedlescombe short cut and old. Queen Elizabeth dined under the thus only do the northern half of the tree on her way to Rye in 1573. During ride, cutting out Hastings the occasion she took her shoes off and let the villagers keep them when Off road/rough sections she left. None Great Dixter The fine timber-framed Grade manor house dates back to 1460 and Strenuous (almost 900m of climbing) was restored by Sir Edward Lutyens in 1911. The house is surrounded by Major climbs Christopher Lloyd’s beautiful and Over a dozen climbs of 35m-100m ever-changing gardens. Great Dixter Refreshments is open to the public from April to October. Hastings, Battle, Bodiam, Great Dixter & Northiam Phone: 01797 252878 Tourist Information Centres Website: greatdixter.co.uk Hastings: 01424 451111 Starting point Battle: 01424 773721 Hastings train station Cycle Hire Distance Hastings Cycle Hire and Sales: Full route via Bodiam and Northiam – 01424 444013 43 miles/69 kms Southern loop with short cut via Sedlescombe – 25 miles/40 kms

3 Cycling in East Sussex

1066 circular Tour de la Manche

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60 A 2 1 0 Metres 40 2 Hastings Cartography © 20 59 CityCycle 0 A2 Cliff Railway 2 9 St Leonards 0 2 Guides B Warrior Square West St Leonards Hastings Battle RobertsbridgeBexhill Northiam Three Oaks Hastings Pier

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