There shouldn't be any need to follow a diversion round Ecclesbourne Glen - the path has been reinstated. However some of the path down to Fairlight Glen beach was washed away over the winter. Heroic repairer(s) have been at work and the path should be no problem for seasoned Saturday walkers: there is a steep scramble down an approx 6m muddy bank about half way down the path; a rope has been put in place which I certainly needed when going uphill.

There were four of us on the posted train from Charing Cross; if anyone got the high speed train we didn't meet them, so pelase let us know if you did. We started off over the roller-coaster of hills in sunny and breezy weather. Some of the group paused at various leftward paths to wonder if they avoided the climbs, but were persuaded to stick with the coastal route. Wehn we got the Fairlght Glen two decsnded to the beach while the others carried on, ready for lunch at the cafe.

We met one more at the beach who had got an earlier train - making5 - and he said we had just missed the easy acccess to the water as the tide as coming in. Nevertheless we all waded into the warm sea, picking our way round invisible rocks, but didn't manage to get to swimming depth befor retreating from the rapidly advancing tide.

On to the windy shore at Pett Level where we stopped for tea at Eaters Cafe and heard that the others had got ice cream and a bus at Fairlight Cove - 1648 train for them. The three of us walked on to Winchelsea and decided not to wait for a bus there, so on to Rye - the first time I have done this complete route without going astray. Having heard the 1848 train was delayed, we acquired provisions for the journey back and headed for a drink at the Ypres Castle, where we had to be quick as the train had caught up a bit. This meant we made the connection for Charing Cross at Ashford so settled in for a convivial trip home. A top day out - thanks to Branchline for posting it in absentia.

just to add a few logistics

(1) Bus 101 run hourly service between Hastings to Rye and vice versa on saturdays, stops at various points enRoute, so worth noting for future if shortcut is desired.

(2) Coastguard Tea Room - had a very nice balcony and a garden, but food options are very basic if you want something more substantial. One of us had soup and bread - which was nice, the other had chicken salad which came with balsamic vinegar soaked tastelss chicken breast -believe me, this was what they called 'Balsamic salad dressing'! Where was the olive oil for pairing? I have to give them the credit for having a good selection of cakes - perhaps a better choice if you just want tea and cakes as the name suggests.

(3) The visitor centre at Fairleight Village also has a cafe servicing tea/coffee/cakes. It is right by the parking, save you walking another 100 meters to (2), another potential refreshment option.

(4) We also paid a visit to The Cove, the pub in Fairleight Cove - a bit further from Fairleight Village. In hindsight, this would have been a better lunch option which serves food till 3pm on saturdays. They also have ice cream in tubs.

6 if you include one, me, with a preference for getting under way earlier. I was about 40 minutes ahead of the scheduled train. Even so, I was surprised not to be caught up by the group as I walked at what I thought was a gentle pace, though I was not diverted by attempts at swimming.

The Cove offered a warm welcome in a recently decorated building. Prices were consistent with an ambitious menu; culinary accomplishments less so.

It was hotter than forecast but a large rainstorm, visible from the train from Rye to Ashford, was blamed by the announcements for the high speed service back to London running ten minutes behind schedule. Glad not to have been caught in that one.

8 met at the train station, with 1 of those (a SW Ldn resident) having come down The Long Way 'Round, via Clapham J, Eastbourne and the slow coastal route. We met another (car driving) walker in the Old Town and then caught a 10th at the top of the first rise out of Hastings, who had trained in from Brighton where she was dog-sitting for the weekend. Said dog was with her as well, and we walked on together (ever so briefly) as a group of 10 and a dog in sunny weather.

The subsequent stretch through the glens was 'interesting', shall we say: slippery in many places, muddy in some, but not muddy in too many places as most of the paths were in fact now streambeds. Some trees had been toppled by recent storms and were blocking the path, which made for interesting scrambling-like intermissions on a steep path. The Ecclesbourne itself had turned into a raging torrent, with a waterfall-like feature away to the right, en route to the beach.

By now, the group had split into sub-groups and the front 5 reached The New Inn at 14.40.

2 others, having got way-laid en route, twice facing a steep drop off the cliffs and once involuntarily scrambling up along a stream out of the glens (no printed directions, no map, no gizmo with a line on a screen), got there half an hour later, and ultra-steady walker 8 wasn't far behind them. The remaining 2 are unaccounted for at this moment in time, though.

A sumptious lunch session evolved and at 16.15 hours, 5 of us finally walked on. The dog-sitter was busing it home to Hastings for the train to Brighton, the SW Ldn walker was busing it back to Hastings to take the Long Way 'Round train back, and the ultra-steady walker bused it on to Rye.

The 5 of us then eschewed the prescribed path across pastures and arable fields which had turned into lakes anyway and took the slightly longer route via Dumb Woman's Lane instead.

That left time for a drink at The Cinque Ports Arms before the 17.48 train.

Walkers 9 and 10 accounted for, they took a shortcut out of the glens to 3 Oaks Station.

p.s.: did I say we had fantastic far views? the South Downs in the back and Camber Sands and Dungeness Nuke Plant ahead...

12 started in Hastings hot_and_sunny_with_a_breeze, most swam at Fairlight but four went on for a expensive but excellent lunch at the Cove and then a swim at Pett. Low tide and sandy but now rather windy sea still warm enough. We regrouped at the Pett tea room and arrived in Winchelsea just in time for the bus to Rye. Those investigating Spike's grave were obliged to walk on to Rye. Train problems encouraged a visit to the Ypres Castle pub and the supermarket for further refreshments. We got a crowded train to Ashford and then the connection to Charing Cross. Late home but a fine day out.

Is the silent walking just in the morning?

Yes up until lunchtime.

Intend going.

Over ten years since I last went on this walk. Certainly did not disappoint and wondered just why I'd left it so long. (Would be happy to repeat this walk next week, certainly wont leave it so long again.)

A glorious day hot and sunny . Arrived at the recently re-opened Cove PH, Fairlight just after 2pm - a worthy alternative to the now permanently closed Smugglers Inn at Pett Level. After which on into Rye where the2 of us had a drink and light meal before catching the 19:48 back.

is the Coastguard tearooms still open or sadly shut ?

Under new ownership and “re-opening in September” a sign said earlier in the summer. No indication of when in September.

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Started with 16 on a hot and slightly misty day. Too hot for me after the climb up the first 2 hills and got some way behind the rest of the group, so doubled back onto Barely Lane and into Hasting. Shorter than expected but still enjoyable. Apologies to the rest of the group. I never did like heat. Roll on winter Steve

16 assembled in front of the station following the arrival of the Charing Cross train, another had started earlier from an earlier train and one later from a later train, plus one from the St. P train, made for 19 on this classic coastal walk. As Steve says, it was a hot climb up those first few hills and 10 of the group diverted to the Mediterranean beach at Fairlight Glen where 9 enjoyed a most idyllic swim in almost perfect conditions...Eventually pulling ourselves away, the 10 stayed more or less together until Pett Level where 2 groups of 2 pulled out ahead and I believe caught a bus in Winchelsea, the lagging 6 debated walking into Rye or stopping in the pub in Winchelsea (with its lovely garden) and taking the train....the pub/train won out...Three alighting from the train in Rye for a meal saw most of the others boarding the 18:00ish train for the trip back to London. A very fine and fun day out in bright sunny Mediterranean conditions .

Those who opted out of swimming carried on in several groups, stopping to eat lunch with clifftop views in glorious sunshine with a welcome breeze . 2 bypassed Winchelsea and took an alternative route into rye via Camber Castle, majestic and brooding in the late afternoon sun. A couple of swift ones in the Cinque Ports Inn (showing both cricket and football on opposing screens) and back on the (slightly delayed ) 17:48. A great day out (but once a year is probably enough.)

A perfect sunny day . A day of golden light. Barely a breath of wind. Lovely warmth.

The only cloud in the sky was the inadequate two-car Marshlink train from Ashford to Hastings, which scuppered the outward journey of two high speed train-ers by being cancelled due to “lack of diesel”. A replacement bus was put on that was adequate for only half the train’s passengers. Our two simply waited an hour for the next train, though amazingly still managed to catch us up at lunch.

The 21 of us on the Charing Cross train had a peaceful journey down (so 23 on the walk in total). Hastings was busy on arrival and we got a bit strung out. The group I was with did the diversionary route around Ecclesbourne Glen: I don’t know if anyone tried the path down into it.

Getting to Fairlight Glen at least eight of us went down to swim. It was high tide and the beach was a tiny pebble strip. The water was lovely - most declared it warmer than expected. For half an hour it was like being on a Greek island.

On to the Coastguards tea room, which was busy, but dealt uncomplainingly with the constant flow of orders. Stragglers caught us up here. Above the coastguard station itself (or whatever the building with a mast on is) about fifty house martins were diving and swooping through the air. Next stop Africa.

Walking on through Fairlight’s suburban streets there was another notable avian sight - a peacock perched on someone’s roof. Wild? A pet? We took a slightly more seaward route through the houses than usual, or perhaps we always go this way and I am just getting forgetful.

There had been some discussion about possible swims at Pett Level, but not only was the sea not high enough to cover the rocks to a sufficient depth - it was way way out beyond them. Three of us were mulling walking out over the sands to the sea anyway when we saw a family getting stuck in gloopy mud, causing us to give up the idea.

Probably just as well, as by the time we set off along the Military Canal the sun was already getting low (at 5.15pm!!). We got to the New Inn at 6pm and I had just ordered a calorific pudding to have in its garden when several people decided to have dinner. So I had lasagne and chips with a sticky toffee and custard starter. Don’t tell my dietician.

Opinion was split at this point between getting the 6.42 bus to Rye or walking to Winchelsea station for the 7.42 train. The latter walk was gorgeous, with a great golden sun dipping behind the horizon and then a glorious pink and gold afterglow. At Winchelsea station we met the bus crowd: the bus had not come and so they had set off to walk to the station instead, to be then overtaken by the bus.

All great walking days should end at a remote country station at dusk on a wonderful sunny day. But sadly this one was marred by worry about the Marshlink train being late, meaning we would miss the connection to the high speed train at Ashford. And therefore connect with the direct train from Margate instead, which had been standing room only back in the summer. When the Marshlink train did finally come it was full, not a few of its passengers being some of the group who had walked to Rye, found their Ashford train cancelled, taken the train back to Hastings instead, and then mysteriously decided not to get the Charing Cross train from there but to get the Marshlink back to Ashford. Sadly the train was too crowded for me to get the full story here, so if anyone wants to give a fuller account, please do.

At Ashford I delayed the group by suggesting we might get the Charing Cross train to avoid the possibly crowded Margate train, and while discussing this failed to notice that our original connecting high speed train was late and was about to pull into platform 5. By the time I realised my mistake, we missed it by seconds despite a dash through the underpass. We then waited 20 minutes (“just over ten minutes” in station announcer speak) for the train from Margate, which was actually not ridiculously busy. We hope those that got the Charing Cross train also had a trouble free journey.

A gorgeous day, as walker says. The walk over Hastings Country Park was a bit like Hampton Court maze in places, and the instructions out of date, but we made it. After the swimmers peeled off at Fairlight Glen 6 of us pushed on, 2 faster than the others (for a swim at Pett Level perhaps?)leaving 4 to refresh at the Beach Club (temporary membership £1 if you want to buy alcohol) and then on via the Royal Military Canal towards Winchelsea where I diverted from the route and walked, alone, over the levels to Camber Castle (Cloudesley Castle in Monica Edwards' books - anyone remember her?) which glowed lustrously in the late afternoon sun. An ambition achieved, on to Rye and a pint at the Cinque Port Arms before catching the 17.47 to Hastings.

Might go an hour later and catch you up at lunchtime

Perfect scheduling. Thank you, Marcus.

Intend getting the 11:17 train - I should catch up with you quickly but can you text me which route/pub you take if not? Thks. Rich

Did anyone do this walk?

N = at least one

W = sunshine and cloud, warm

I got the 10.15 service from Charing Cross. Initial thoughts about trying to catch the group (numbers?) were abandoned in favour of regular blackberry picking and eating. I recommend the chocolate and orange cake at the Coastguards Tearoom. Later a functional haddock and chips was had at the Greek chipper in Rye. I don't especially enjoy walking on my own, but this is not a bad one to do solo, aside from the wretchedly dull, and currently overgrown, Royal Military Canal stretch. Thanks for scheduling an interesting walk. Hastings is a delight once you hit the backstreets.

1

Plus 3 off the 9.45 Charing Cross train. So that makes a likely total of 4 in warm sunshine with a lovely following breeze

I’m assuming nobody came on the high speed from St.Pancras. (It was rather expensive)

Southeastern has the Summer Offer on: Hastings rtn for £20, incl. High Speed, from 9.30 weekdays. This was the perfect walk posting for that. But mysteriously that was not mentioned.

I have now been told that there were indeed 5 on the posted St. Pancras train (expensive or not), and that they got overtaken by 1 or 2 of the three mentioned in the earlier comment. I make it 9 in total. As told today by one of the overtakers, who was on the Salisbury walk...

There is no mystery about the train fare special offer not being mentioned. My guess is the poster was simply unaware of it. Walk posters are not omniscient. We are just mortals like you.

To be fair, it is mentioned in the box atop the This Week's Walks postings.

So it is, but I had not noticed that till you pointed it out. If you argue that the walk poster should have noticed it, then so should those going on the walk.

Just to add that Faye(?spelling) and I had a good walk and tried out the Beach Club at Petts Level for lunch. They were friendly and charged around £4 for a sandwich lunch - although they do sur-charge non-members £1 for drinks... Rich

The 'If you argue' point:I was defending the walk poster! Most of us don't need to be led like Ramblers, though there are a few veteran exceptions.

And it was blowing a hooley!

The weather was broadly as forecast, only that the winds didn't feel as strong as supposed, and that the rain went on for longer than supposed, namely all the way to lunch. That didn't really matter though as we walked west to east, so had wind and rain from the right behind, pushing us on and up the four ascents. The closed footpath at Ecclesbourne Glen was a tad difficult to negotiate what with being slippery, and the track beside the Royal Military Canal was a bit roughed up by farm vehicles, else there were no problems with route or paths.

We got to The New Inn in Winchelsea in two groups a few minutes apart, either side of 13.30, and it was quite a pleasant stay: fireplaces, wooden floors, friendly staff and good meals. The slower walkers left there after 90 minutes and we opted to forgo the field crossings to Rye and instead followed the 1066 Country Walk down Dumb Woman's Lane. Got to Rye in time for the 16.47 train (most) or for a tourist tour through Rye in pre-Christmas splendour, and a final drink at the highly recommended Ypres Castle pub (the others). 17.47 train for those. All in, a refreshing day in great company, and probably a very good walk for the weather.

11 windy with rain to lunch

Please be aware that the Smugglers Inn at Pett Level looked as if was closed when I drove by last week.

The New Inn in Winchelsea is another option. Also if wish to avoid the steep Glen's there is quite a pleasant route via Barley Lane.

Thanks, Johnny - The Smugglers is indeed now closed, and up for sale. I will amend the posting.

For south Londoners not wishing to head to St Pancras or to start the walk 10 minutes behind the others, another option might be to take the 09:14 service from Cannon Street, which calls at Orpington at 09:40 and Sevenoaks at 09:50, arriving at Hastings at 11:02.

Despite requiring a bit of energy, the steep wooded glens are one of the major attractions of the walk, and the path through the officially closed Ecclesbourne Glen was fine when I last tried it.

My current health situation might prevent me from 'doing' the glens so I might just follow the path across the top and attempt to rendezvous for lunch somewhere. I will be waiting at the top of Tamarisk Steps near the East Cliff Funicular Railway about 1130.

10 very hot and sunny

all walks this weekend are south of the river, is this a record? and rye to hastings has just been on a few weeks ago (I am aware that this is hastings to rye)...

If you want an excellent light lunch or splendid cake with brilliant coffee try The Red Pig food truck parked about 200 metres in a layby beyond The Smugglers' Inn in Pett Level. It is open at weekends only and is a blend of Romany caravan and Brooklyn chic. It is powered by golf buggy batteries and calor gas. Mainly outside seating but very cosy inside.

I have travelled from Hastings to London on the past two Sundays and the Charing Cross trains were going into Cannon St even though the website indicated Charing Cross. However an attendant at Waterloo East last night assured me that it would be Charing Cross on Sunday! Alternatively the Victoria route to Hastings is working reasonably well at the moment.

Is there a cheap train offer on this one pls?

5 in total on this beautiful walk. Weather was glorious. Sunny day with a breeze to keep us from frying.

Two of us went to the Red Pig for lunch. Excellent food and really unusual. We spoke to the guy running it and he suggested a short cut across Petts level so that we didn't have to retrace our footsteps. Winchelsea and Rye picturesque.

A great walk with varied scenery. One of the best that I have done with SWC. Thanks

5 Sunny day with a breeze

The Brighton - Ashford train (the Marsh Line)usually runs but this week there has been a bus replacement service in parts of the route but not everyday. The lovely 100 bus (The Wave) will get you to Rye or back to Hastings. Regarding the paths around the landslip that is a big local debate. At the end of the day it is nature's force and the clif has been eroding for a long tome.

Several weeks ago I did the Winchelsea to Hastings walk and decided to continue on the path through the landslip section. I found it a struggle, although in my advanced years I am not as fit or limber as I was. The heavy rain today may make the path more unstable and descending it may prove more difficult than an ascent which is what I did. I would think very carefully about ignoring the warnings around using the closed-off path.

This is a very good point, Pete B - heavy rain after a prolonged dry period is perfect landslip conditions. Not only should walkers stick to the signposted diversion, but I would have thought going down to Fairlight Glen for a swim might also not be a good idea. The path is maintained by naturists but goes down a landslip too.

At the risk of reducing the grading this walk to a 3/4 you can cut along Barley Lane then through a disused gravel working to emerge near the Fairlight Coastguard Cottages and the café. Just following the path diversions though will still give a decent walk with great sea views.

12 on this walk. Obviously we would have liked to have had the weather of two days earlier, but it was not a disaster. Instead there was breezy cloud breaking to sun at times then rain later . The best of the sun was just after lunch, when for a time it was rather pleasant. By tea time there was prolonged and heavy rain, however.

Despite doubts from some quarters (including me) nine of us tackled the landslide. The warning signs and barriers have interestingly disappeared from this but the area affected is bigger than last year - i.e. There have been further landslips I would say. For quite a distance the path is "a bit of an obstacle course" as one local said.

Nine of us went down to the sea at Fairlight Glen and five swam. It was high tide and the sun was shining through the cloud making the sea an attractive green against a dark grey sky. There was a long, gentle swell and the water was much warmer than it looked.

After lunch at the Coastguards tea room and the sunny bit, it began to rain as we approached Winchelsea, discouraging any thoughts of walking to Rye. Instead after a cosy tea in the New Inn we all got the bus. Eight of us then ate in the "Wipers Arms" in Rye.

The path down into Ecclesbourne Glen (the first dip) is still officially closed. I tried it on 4 September. The problem is right at the top at the Hastings end of the diversion: about 80 metres worth. The path is passable but this area is obviously rather unstable with further landslips possible (especially when the ground is saturated by heavy rain….) and I guess this is why (sensibly) the local authorities have kept the path closed.

There's a Food and wine festival on all day in Hastings with Hastings choir singing on the beach, in case anyone is feeling less energetic.

9 Sunny with just a bit of cloud in the afternoon Congrats to Stargazer for picking a perfect walk for a perfect day. The sun was warm, the sea sparkled, there was almost no wind and views were crystal sharp (to Beachy Head one way Folkestone and beyond the other: Dungeness standing out in sharp detail, France faintly visible).

Seven attempted to swim at Fairlight but three were defeated by the underwater rocks just covered by the tide. The four of us that made it to open water had a fine swim but truth to tell the water was a bit cold. Officially it may have been only just off summer highs, but to me it felt more like early July.

Later at Pett Level we almost passed on a final swim, but one decided to go in and five others joined him. There was a bit of cloud by this time, but it was still a mainly sunny farewell to the sea swimming season.

After warming up on a brisk walk inland to Winchelsea, five got the bus, but three carried on to Rye and one (me) enjoyed a beautiful dusk walk to Winchelsea station - the sun setting, a crescent moon in the sky, robins singing - for the 19.50 train. I then met the Rye walkers for a nice dinner in the Ypres Castle before taking the last train home to St Pancras.

And so the summer ended...