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Romans and Normans at Pevensey Levels

Recommended by

Our view

"Visit a Norman castle within a Roman fort and experience the atmosphere of the eerie Pevensey Levels on this fascinating walk."

Walk directions

Walk from the car park to the main street, keeping forward on the bend past the castle entrance and the Priory Court Hotel. Pevensey Castle’s walls rise up impressively on your left. Bear off to the right just beyond the hotel and a house called The Gables to follow the 1066 Country Walk.

Cross the A27 with care and keep on the trail. Go through a gate and follow the path as it bends left. Continue between fencing and hedging, alongside Martin’s Ditch on the left, until you pass through a galvanised gate. Bear right to the riverbank, turn left alongside the Pevensey Haven and walk past its confluence with the Chilley Stream.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Field paths and riverside, brief stretch of road, two stiles

Landscape - Low-level former marshland, flat and watery landscape

Dog friendliness - Under control on farmland and minor roads

Parking - Pay-and-display car park by Pevensey Castle

Toilets en route - At car park

Walks in East Sussex Dog-friendly walks in East Sussex

About the walk

The great harbour here silted up long ago, leaving Pevensey stranded inland, 2 miles (3.2km) from the sea. It was from here that William, Duke of Normandy, marched inland to defeat King Harold and his Saxon army in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings – to this day one of the most significant events in... English history. The exact spot where William came ashore can now never be identified, as the coastline has shifted and altered so greatly down the centuries since then. What is known, however, is that 800 years before the arrival of William, the Romans had chosen this site to construct the fortress of Anderida as part of their defence of the Saxon Shore. Pevensey was one of a series of fortifications along this coast, and the remains of the outer walls of the castle survive. Standing up to 30ft (9m) thick in places and enclosing an oval area of about 10 acres (4ha), the walls are considered to be among the finest surviving examples of Roman building in England. Determined to claim the English crown, William expected to be met with some resistance at Anderida. But he found the fort undefended, enabling him to consolidate his position immediately. Harold and his men were elsewhere, fighting his brother’s Danish army in Yorkshire and expecting William to sail via the Isle of Wight. The Normans immediately set about erecting one of three prefabricated timber castles they had brought with them, constructing it on a mound of earth within the fort. It was as if they were intent on taking the place of the Romans who had occupied this site so many years before them. Without opposition, the Norman army travelled almost casually through the Sussex countryside, taking food from local people and burning and looting whatever they could find along the way. Following his victory at the Battle of Hastings, William gave the stronghold to his half-brother, Robert, Count of Mortain. It was Robert who built the Norman castle, the remains of which can still be seen there today. A keep and bailey were subsequently constructed, and in the 13th century a formidable stone curtain wall and gatehouse were added. Further work took place in the 14th century, but by now the castle was sturdy enough to defend itself and its inhabitants from the strongest opponent. Pevensey was prepared to defend the coast from the threat of Napoleon and, even as recently as 1940, pill boxes were installed in the castle walls in case German forces should invade. This atmospheric walk starts at Pevensey Castle. After a brief tour of Pevensey, with its picturesque houses and cottages, head out across the lonely, evocative Pevensey Levels, once covered by water and now reminiscent of the fenland country of East Anglia.

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About the area

East Sussex is a land of stately homes, castles and the South Downs, with miles of chalk cliffs overlooking the English Channel. For history buffs, there are a great many historic landmarks within Sussex, such as the battlefield where the Battle of Hastings took place, or visitors can enjoy pretty towns such as Lewes, Rye and Uckfield and the city of Brighton.

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Flat

Distance:

4.5 miles (7.2kms)

Ascent:

0ft (0m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Romans and Normans at Pevensey Levels

Recommended by

Our view

"Visit a Norman castle within a Roman fort and experience the atmosphere of the eerie Pevensey Levels on this fascinating walk."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Flat

Distance:

4.5 miles (7.2kms)

Ascent:

0ft (0m)

Walk directions

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Continue for a short distance to a footbridge. Cross over it and then aim diagonally towards a footbridge to the right of a house. Carry on across the next field to a stile and footbridge. Bear diagonally right to a wooden gate, then turn right and walk along the track to the road, passing Chilley Farm Shop.

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Turn left at the lane, and where it bends right go ahead through a gate. Soon reach two gates, and go through the right-hand one. Keep ahead alongside a drainage ditch to a gate in the field corner and continue, keeping the ditch on your left. Make for a footbridge on the left. Cross it and bear right (sharper than indicated by the waymarker) alongside the ditch. Follow the ditch to a stile by a galvanised gate with a road beyond.

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Turn left along the road and walk along to the hamlet of Rickney. Avoid the 1066 Country Walk as it runs off to the right, and cross the little road bridge. Bear left into Rickney Road at the sign for Hankham and immediately cross a bridge.

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Turn left after a few paces through a gate and follow the 1066 Country Walk, pass beside a barn to reach a galvanised gate and continue ahead to the right of a pylon along the right-hand field-edge, soon to reach the Pevensey Haven on your left. Continue beside the river. Pass a wind pump and the footbridge crossed earlier and then retrace your steps to the A27 and Pevensey.

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Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Field paths and riverside, brief stretch of road, two stiles

Landscape - Low-level former marshland, flat and watery landscape

Dog friendliness - Under control on farmland and minor roads

Parking - Pay-and-display car park by Pevensey Castle

Toilets en route - At car park

Walks in East Sussex Dog-friendly walks in East Sussex

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

East Sussex

Romans and Normans at Pevensey Levels

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

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Romans and Normans at Pevensey Levels

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