Best walks to or from Bexhill

Polegate Station to Bexhill Station

A long, mostly easy route using well-surfaced cycle paths out of Polegate, then field paths and country lanes across the Pevensey Levels and followed by a fine stretch of the 1066 Country Walk beside the Pevensey Haven. Finishes along the seashore over shingle or sand before the Bexhill promenade. Follows the 1066 Country Walk beside the Pevensey Haven. Bexhill promenade has the usual seaside facilities including cafes and public toilets.

Tough: 21km. Gentle ascents.

Between Pevensey and Normans Bay the route uses an unclassified road that is not free of traffic, though there are verges to step onto. Expect cattle or sheep in the fields between Normans Bay and Cooden Beach.

Highlights: Pevensey Castle.

Lunch: Pubs and cafes in Pevensey village, near the castle.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bexhill Station to Battle Station

Nice view approaching the church; wonderful view across Powdermill Stream. Starts urban, then a varied mix of countryside trail, footpath and forest walking, following much of the Bexhill Link of the 1066 Country Walk and a disused railway line; passes through two nature reserves and ends along the edge of Battle's famous battlefield. Several stiles and kissing gates and footbridges; some sections get extremely boggy in winter. Follows the Bexhill Link of the 1066 Country Walk for about 90% of the way. Passes through the Combe Valley Country Park and the RSPB Fore Wood reserve (which now has an all-weather path). Crowhurst is a good half-way stop.

11km. Moderate ascents.

Certain sections can get extremely boggy in winter, requiring heavy-duty boots or wellies; several stiles and gates; signs warn of livestock. The short road-walking section between the pub and church in Crowhurst can be avoided by sticking to the waymarked field path.

Lunch stop: the Plough.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bexhill Station to Hastings Station

A lovely walk; Nice coastal walk; Quite a lot to see along the way. An easy, mostly flat coastal walk on promenade and surfaced or gravel paths the whole way and with some shingle in places and a couple of small hills near Bexhill (avoidable). Can be windswept; gates close the path at very high tide. Gates at Glyne Gap and Bulverhythe close the path at very high tide. At low tide near Bulverhythe you can see the wreck of the Amsterdam, about 800m east of Glyne Gap.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

Lunch: Plenty of cafes for coffee stops along the promenade in Hastings and St Leonards, and at Glyne Gap.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Eastbourne Station to Bexhill Station

A coastal route with much of the going on shingle beach, which makes for tough walking and plus an inland road section near Norman's Bay. The shingle can be avoided at many points. Walked as part of the Slow Ways National Parks Challenge. Lots of facilities and railway stations at both ends.

19km. Gentle ascents.

Long stretches on shingle make for hard going.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route