From the car park turn right and just before the River Tillingham sluice go right at the footpath sign. Follow the river, crossing the railway line via gates and passing to the left of the windmill. Over Udimore Road climb a stile, cross a water-meadow and rejoin the river bank. Where the tarmac path veers right go left through a kissing gate to continue along the river bank, leaving it to bear right at a hedged drain towards a farm, Rolvendene Farm.

Keep to the left of the farm, then just after it turn right through a gate on a path that climbs out of the water-meadows alongside a fence to a gate. Through a kissing gate continue uphill between fences, going right just before trees at the footpath sign along Leasam House’s drive. This soon becomes a lane, leading to the A268, where you turn right. Beyond the bus shelter turn left to St Michael’s Church, Playden.

Pass round the right side of the church to leave through a gate ahead, then follow an enclosed path to enter a field. Keep forward along the right edge until a footpath post. Turn left to a gate. Through this go right along a track, keeping forward on a path where the main track bends right. Through a gate admire the views over Romney Marshes, including a huge wind farm, and go right over a stile. Half right across the field descend to a gate. Through this drop to a tarmac lane and turn right on it.

At the road junction by Playden House turn right onto the pavement, going left at a footpath sign, opposite No 24. Through the kissing gate, bear right to walk along the bank of the River Rother. Before reaching the railway bridge the path leaves the river bank to pass behind houses, crosses the railway via two sets of gates on each side, and rejoins the river bank on a tarmac path, soon crossing the A259.

Past the play area go right. Turn right at the A259 to cross at pedestrian traffic lights. Go half right up a sloping path leading into the medieval town on its ridge. 

Turn left at the top, away from the 14th-century Land Gate, along the High Street, then turn left into East Street, passing the Rye Castle Museum. At the house where the artist Paul Nash lived bear right, then left into Church Square. Pass the brick oval Water House, walk round three sides of Church Square, and visit St Mary’s Church; Ypres Tower is seen away to the left. Go round three sides of Church Square to leave the churchyard at its northwest corner (the far end from the church tower) onto a narrow cobbled lane, West Street, and pass Lamb House. Turn left into Mermaid Street and descend towards the quays, passing The Mermaid Inn. Cross The Strand to pass the Rye Heritage Centre, and turn right to return to the car park.