Address: Battle
Website: http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk
Grid Reference: TQ755156(OS Map)
OS Map: Explorer 124
Download: pdf Battle Walk (255.21 kB)
Distance: 4.5 miles
Terrain: A generally easy walk, without stiles but some hilly sections, and can be very muddy.
Directions/Transport: Starting from Battle Railway Station, turn left to follow Station Approach to its junction with the main A2100. Turn left and follow the roadside footway, before turning left again at St Marys Villas, opposite the petrol station, to join the signposted footpath.
Continue to follow the surfaced road, taking the right hand fork into Kingsdale Close. At the end of the road, follow the footpath beside the house and then bear right along the well defined path running parallel to the field edge. At the field corner, turn left to follow the path downhill, with the hedgerow on your right. Continue through the small area of woodland, and on to reach the road.
At the roadside, turn sharp right to follow the signposted footpath back along the edge of the scrubland. Continue along the well defined path uphill, crossing the road at Starrs Mead, and along the signposted footpath to reach Starrs Green Lane. Turn left to follow the lane, bearing left at the junction, near the end of the lane, and then turn left at the signposted footpath junction. Follow the route downhill, through the staggered barriers and into Great Wood.
Instead of continuing along the public footpath, turn right at the path junction next to the signpost and follow the route around some of the permissive paths within Great Wood. After a short downhill section, the path widens to a forest track. Follow the track for a distance of approximately 300 metres (330 yds.) to the first main junction. Turn right and follow the path to reach a footpath signpost. At this point a public right of way crosses the permissive path. Continue straight across the junction following the permissive route running along the woodland edge. At the end of this path, turn left onto a wide forest track, leading away from a field gate at the woodland boundary. The route now runs through the centre of Great Wood.
At the first junction of tracks bear left, and then turn right at the next junction. Continue to follow the main track for a further 650 metres (710 yds.) to reach the main signposted bridleway which runs east - west through Great Wood. The long distance 1066 Country Walk route also follows the bridleway at this point.
Cross the main bridleway to continue following the surfaced, permissive route ahead. On reaching the next junction, ignore the left hand turn (the direction of the surfaced track), instead continue straight ahead for a short distance, before turning right. After approximately 150 metres (165 yds.), turn sharp left onto a narrow footpath. Follow the path to reach a junction of five routes. From this point, follow the public footpath, signposted almost straight ahead.
Continue along the surfaced track to its junction with the main east - west bridleway, and 1066 Country Walk. Turn right to follow this main route, ignoring the side junctions, to reach the edge of Great Wood at Marley Lane.
Turn left and follow Marley Lane back towards Battle, taking care on the first section where there is no footway. Immediately after crossing the railway, turn left and follow the narrow, surfaced path beside the railway, to reach Battle Station and the end of the walk.
Bus Information: A regular bus service operates Mon-Sat between Maidstone and Hastings, with a stop in Battle.
Train Information: Battle Station is on the London to Hastings line and has a regular service.
Car Park Information: Public parking available in Battle
Features: The Forestry Commission operated, Great Wood,consists mainly of coniferous woodland, with areas of heathland, ponds, streams and sweet chestnut coppice. There is a wealth of wildlife, with Badgers and Deer, birds such as Nightjar, Tree Pipit and Crossbills, and many common woodland butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.