Niet ver van huis een heerlijke verkenning van één van de meest afwisselende kusten van Engeland! U wandelt langs prachtige historische (vissers)dorpen als Hastings, Lewes en Rye en passeert tal van oude landhuizen. Dat alles in het karakteristieke landschap van holle wegen met groene heggen, stenen muurtjes, schitterende parken en hagelwitte kliffen bedekt met groene zoden. Eerst loopt u door het boerenland naar de South Downs om vervolgens via de rustige Cuckmere vallei naar de winderige kust te lopen, alwaar de imposante kliffen bij de ‘Seven Sisters’ niets meer te wensen over zullen laten! Met zicht over de meanderende Cuckmere rivier daalt u af naar de deftige badplaats Eastbourne. Per trein reist u door naar Hastings, bekend om haar vismarkt, nettenwinkels én natuurlijk de ‘Battle of Hastings’ in 1066. Voor het afronden van de krijtrotsenwandeling klimt u weer omhoog, om aan het einde van de kliffen weer af te dalen via het oude dorpje Winchelsea naar Rye. Day program Day 1. Arrive Lewes. Explore town on foot. Possible excursions if you arrive early. Day 2. Walk Lewes to Alfriston. 22km/14 miles/6.5 hours walking time. Ascent/descent 465m/515m (1525 feet/1690 feet). Highest point 217m /712 feet (Firle Beacon). Day can be shortened by using train and/ or bus to reduce distance, time and height gain by 50%. Day 3. Walk Alfriston to Eastbourne. 19km/12 miles/6.5 hours walking time. Ascent/descent 655m (2150 feet). Highest point 165m/541 feet (Beachy Head). Then train to Hastings. We recommend a short detour from the National Trail to admire the view of the Seven Sisters from Seaford Head. The considerable amount of ascent and descent on Day 3 is on account of the repeated short ascents and descents over the Seven Sisters. This is unavoidably strenuous. A good alternative after completing the Seven Sisters traverse is to walk inland from Birling Gap to the pretty village of East Dean and take the frequent bus from there to Eastbourne rail station. From Eastbourne take train to Hastings. Baggage is transported separately direct from Alfriston to Hastings. Day 4. Walk Hastings to Rye. 20km/12.5 miles/6 hours walking time. Ascent/descent 400m (1310 feet). Highest point 130m/426 feet (near Fairlight). Can be shortened by taking the bus from a number of points along the walking route Day 5. Free in Rye. Options include: exploring the town (up to half a day); returning by train via Hastings to Battle and hiking the 1066 trail back via Winchelsea to Rye (full day); a visit by train (frequent daily service) via Ashford to Canterbury and its magnificent cathedral. You could also take the bus to Northiam (not Sundays or holidays) to Northiam and visit the superb gardens and mediaeval manor house at Great Dixter (normally closed Mondays; see https://www.greatdixter.co.uk/). The 5-night tour ends at Rye on morning of Day 6. Day 6. Walk Rye to Ewhurst Green. 18km/11 miles/6 hours. Ascent/descent 225m (740 feet). Highest point 65m/213 feet (Peasmarsh church). Can be shortened by using bus (not Sundays). On the way you pass Great Dixter (see above re Day 5), which you will have time to visit if you take the bus for at least part of the way between Rye and Northiam. On Sundays and bank holidays, when there is no bus, we provide a taxi transfer from Rye to Northiam to enable you to visit Great Dixter. Day 7. Walk Ewhurst Green to Hawkhurst. 9km/5.5 miles/2.5 to 3 hours. Ascent/descent 150m/150m (500 feet/500 feet). ). Can be shortened by using bus (daily). From Hawkhurst you take the bus on your overnight stop at Cranbrook, or stay on the bus to Sissinghurst for the walk to Sissinghurst Castle Garden (30 minutes level walk each way). If your overnight is booked at Sissinghurst village you can walk there from Cranbrook, or stay on the bus from Hawkhurst. Day 8. Departure from Cranbrook/Sissinghurst. If you postpone your departure until the afternoon you have another opportunity to visit Sissinghurst Castle Garden this morning.