Grid Reference: TQ899183(OS Map)
OS Map: Explorer 125 and 124

Distance: 7 miles
Time: 4 hours
Terrain: Undulating
Information Available: East Sussex Countryside Management Services - Rye Bay Office 01797 226488
Directions/Transport: From station, turn R along road - at junction with A259 on hairpin bend 1. turn R along path which is part of 1066 Country Walk - follow this round to L next to wooded cliff and then between grassy banks, with beautiful views over the Brede Valley. Pass site of old windmill (swept away in gales of 1987) and continue on lane to main road 2. where you go straight across on road into town - take first turning R, then over crossroads past church on L - take next road on R and then straight across main road 3. and through kissing gate.

Cross recreation ground to stile and very shortly, turn L down another path between banks. Beyond next kissing gate, turn L up sunken path to main road. 4. turn R on footway alongside road and where main road veers right, cross side road and go straight ahead on track downhill. At cross paths turn R over stile and follow another stretch of 1066 Country Walk.

At next stile 5. bear right across field or for a short cut bear left alongside town ditch to New Gate, where you turn right along road until you reach footpath on left - follow this along edge of wood until turn left in front of gate and rejoin full walk directions (go to 11). Go over 2 stiles to L of barn near Wickham Manor, across field and 2 more stiles to lane 6. where cross diagonally. Follow path past shelter belt on right, with superb views of the channel coast and towards Fairlight, and out to road 7.

Go straight ahead and shortly R through gate and uphill on grass path to pass to R of Icklesham Windmill (another fine viewpoint). Cross stile and leave 1066 Country Walk by turning L up lane - TAKE GREAT CARE HERE! - at road junction 8. turn R, then almost immediately left over stile - bear L along path which leads to Ashes farm - go straight ahead between buildings along track which later bears R before house and heads downhill and cross Pannel Valley Nature Reserve - follow track between reeds to cross footbridge. 9.

Turn L past public bird hide and then across 2 footbridges just before Royal Military Canal - now follow grass path bearing L to stile 10. and across field at foot of wooded cliff, through gate and then turn R 11. Go straight ahead next to ditch to cross bridge over canal and then turn L and follow path alongside canal for over a mile to road 12. Turn L to main road, where you continue straight ahead (on footway) past Bridge Inn.

Shortly after road turning on L, access of foot back into Winchelsea is possible via steps up cliff on L 13. but to complete walk continue to hairpin bend where you turn R and retrace steps back to station.

Bus Information: 711, hourly off-peak, two hourly on Sundays, links Rye, Winchelsea, Icklesham and Hastings. For further information phone 0870 6082 608
Train Information: Winchelsea Station on Hastings to Ashford line. For further information phone 08457 484950
Guide: Free Trails by Rail leaflet available from East Sussex Countryside Management Services
Services: Queens Head and the Robin Hood in Icklesham and village shops. Bridge Inn, Winchelsea Motel in Winchelsea and village shops. Also Tea Rooms on High Street and public toilets.