Rye is situated on five long distance routes, which combined with a number of circular routes provide walkers with an exciting range of options.

1066 Country Walk
31 Miles from Pevensey to Rye, through Battle, with spurs to the South Downs Way, Hastings ad Bexhill, the routes pass many sites connected with the Norman invasion of England. For further information visit http://www.1066country.com or pick up a leaflet from the Rye Tourist Office.

The 1066 Country Walk Book (£4.95) provides a detailed route description and other relevant information, and is available from the Tourism Information Centres in Rye, Battle and Hastings, or directly from the publisher:

Challenge Publications
7, Earlsmere Drive
Ardsley
Barnsley
S71 5HH
Email: challengepublications@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.challenge-publications.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Royal Military Canal Path
The path runs for 28 miles along the entire length of the Royal Military Canal from Seabrook, Kent to Cliff End in East Sussex. Many public footpaths link to the Path, so it is easy to plan circular routes that take in sections of the canal. For suggested itineraries and ways to walk the path in a few days visit http://www.royalmilitarycanal.com.

High Weald Landscape Trail
90 miles through the High Weald AONB from Rye to Horsham, West Sussex - see http://www.highweald.org. For further information contact the High Weald Unit, Corner Farm, Hastings Road, Flimwell, TN5 7PR, or call 01580 879500. Several leaflets are available at http://www.highweald.org/downloads.asp?PageId=54 or from the Tourist Offices.

Saxon Shore Way
163 miles from Hastings to Gravesend, the route follows the original Saxon shore line from the Thames Estuary, down the Wantsum Channel, along the White Cliffs and on into Sussex. The Way is clearly shown on OS maps and signed on the ground. For more information visit http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/saxonshore.html.

Sussex Border Path
The Sussex Border Path runs 150 miles from Rye to Emsworth, Hampshire following the county border.
For more information visit http://www.walkingpages.co.uk/trails_paths/LDP_sussexborderpath.htm or see The Sussex Border Path: Day Walks & Circular Routes by John Allen, £6.95 from bookshops.

Shorter Walks Around Rye

Beckley Walk
A 3-mile generally easy walk with stiles and some muddy paths (depending on weather) starting from Beckley Village, 5.5 miles from Rye. Buses are available between Hastings and Northiam. Visit http://frs.accesseastsussex.org/pathstoprosperity/WalkDetail.aspx?walkid=87 for more information and a route map.

Broad Oak Walk, Brede
Starting from the Rainbow Trout pub in Brede, 1.5 miles from Doleham Station (Marshlink Line) or a bus ride from Rye. An easy three mile circular route via Broad Oak with views across the Brede valley. For more information visit http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D072058A-95D9-49F5-89EB-33F7DCE06246/0/BroadOakWalkWebversion.pdf#search=%22rainbow%20trout,%20brede%22.

Camber Castle Walk

A 3-mile easy walk from Brede Lock (just outside of Rye) to Camber Castle and through the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, protected for its plentiful and rare wildlife.
For further information visit http://www.ryebay.demon.co.uk/shortwalks.html or pick up the Short Walks in the Rye Countryside leaflet at the Tourist Office.

For a longer 4.5-mile walk to Camber Castle starting from Rye Station visit http://www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/23C0B440-9B25-4CAD-ACAE-6520BB70B964/0/CamberCastleWalkwebversion.pdf#search=%22Camber%20Castle%22.

Cock Marling Walk, Winchelsea
A 4-mile country walk starting from Winchelsea Station, climbing to a ridge overlooking the Brede valley. For more information visit http://frs.accesseastsussex.org/pathstoprosperity/WalkDetail.aspx?walkid=52.

Doleham Walk, Brede
A 6-mile average-grade country walk starting at Doleham Railway Station (on the Marshlink Line) around the Brede valley, to the village of Brede, passing the historic Brede Valley Waterworks. Visit http://frs.accesseastsussex.org/pathstoprosperity/WalkDetail.aspx?walkid=56 for a route map and more information.

Peasmarsh Walk
A 4-mile, easy-grade walk from the village of Peasmarsh through woodland and across fields to the earthwork remains of Iden Moat. For more information and a route map visit http://frs.accesseastsussex.org/pathstoprosperity/WalkDetail.aspx?walkid=70.

Winchelsea Walk
A 6.5 mile country circular walk from Winchelsea Station, along the Royal Military Canal and passing through the Pannel Valley Nature Reserve. For more information and a route map visit http://frs.accesseastsussex.org/pathstoprosperity/WalkDetail.aspx?walkid=53.

Eight Country Walks around Rye
The Rye Partnership and SEEDA have helped to publish a collection of eight walks which can be purchased from the Tourist Information Centre in Rye (Tel: 01797 226696 or Email: ryetic@rother.gov.uk).

1. Leasam Hill and Playden Church – 2.5 miles
2. Camber Castle and Winchelsea – 6 miles
3. Rye Harbour and Nature Reserve – 4 miles
4. Peasmarsh Church and Cadborough Cliff – 8 miles
5. Camber Sands and East Guldeford – Camber 3.5 miles, full walk 8.5 miles
6. Iden Park and River Rother – 7 miles
7. Winchelsea and Icklesham – 5 miles
8. Tillingham Valley and Cadborough Cliff – 3.5 miles

Walks Within Rye

Rye Audio Walking Tours
Available seven days a week from the Rye Heritage Centre. Available in English, French and Japanese.
* Ghost Walks – fascinating walking audio tour of Rye’s ghostly past.
* Historical Tours - the sights and sounds of Rye’s rich history brought to life through audio guides around the cobbled streets.

E. F. Benson & Rye Walks
E. F. Benson published the first of the Rye based Tilling novels in 1922. Up to his death in 1940 he published a further four novels set in Rye. The E.F. Benson Society runs guided tours of Benson’s Rye, lasting approximately 1.5 hours the tours start at The Look and end at Lamb House. For private walks at other times contact 01797 223114. For further information telephone Rye TIC on 01797 226696 or visit the Society's website http://www.efbensonsociety.org/.

For further information on walking in the area:

1. Visit the Ramblers Association: http://www.ramblers.co.uk.

2. Contact East Sussex County Council, Rights of Way team: Tel: 01273 482250 or rightsofway@eastsussex.gov.uk.

3. You can also purchase a Rye Bay Countryside Pack which has a selection of local leaflets on walks, wildlife and landscapes of Rye and the surrounding countryside, including the 1066 Country Walk and the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Send a cheque for £1.50 made payable to East Sussex Country Council to:

Rye Bay Countryside Office
111b High Street
Rye
TN31 7JR