Bexbat one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

As this route has been described thoroughly by the previous reviewer, I'll just add some impressions. I really enjoyed this route and thought it was an ideal Slow Way. It follows the Bexhill 1066 Walk for about 90% of the way with a couple of diversions. The section through Combe Wood and along the disused railway line was an improvement on the 1066 route, but the short section of road walking between the pub and the church in Crowhurst is not worth it. Stick to the signed route through the fields on the edge of the village. Nice view approaching the church.

The route passes through two nature reserves. The Combe Valley Country Park at the edge of Bexhill passes over some streams full of fish with loads of bees, dragonflies and butterflies buzzing around. The route through the RSPB Fore Wood reserve now has an all weather path.

Crowhurst is a good place to stop half-way for a picnic or refreshments in the Plough pub. St. Peters church at Bexhill is worth a look round. St. George's at Crowhurst is pretty from the outside but there's not much of interest within. The yew in the churchyard is however reputedly one of the oldest in the county.

The final section up the hill into Battle is along the edge of the famous battlefield which can be glimpsed over the fence. Battle Abbey and the battlefield are well worth a visit.

Several stiles, kissing gates and footbridges along the way. There were signs warning of livestock but we didn't meet any today. Some of the fields will be planted with crops, though all were recently harvested in late August leaving just stubble. The route is not suitable for wheels.

This route is fairly simple and well signposted. Leaving Bexhill Railway Station, turn left up Upper Sea Road to the attractive buildings of Bexhill Old Town. Cross the road to St Peters church abnd bearing to the right, take the path on the left. Crossing King Offa Way by the footbridge and after dropping down, turn right on to the residential Lychgates Close, after 100m take the path at the end , along some alleys / twittens / paths between behind houses. Coming out onto the busy Wrestwood Road cross and opposite, join and walk the 1066 Country Walk (Bexhill Link) path alongside parts of new developments in the area. Walkers will see the changing face of the Bexhill area. Once away from that, you'll walk through a wooded area and up some stairs just before the brick arch bridge on to the disused railway embankment. On this stretch there are a couple of nicely placed picnic tables. A little further on at a signpost to the left, rejoin the 1066 Country Walk and drop down through a large arable field to the marshy area of Combe Valley. Under the Relief Road and past a lake, it's a pleasant section past the recreation ground of Crowhurst. The Plough pub with a sunny garden is right ahead of you. Walking up a short steepish stretch of road, look out for the houses built into the bank with wonderful view across Powdermill Stream. Dropping down past a refurbished GPO phone box brings you to a churchyard in Crowhurst with some welcome benches. Following the road up and around to your left will bring you after 300m to a metal gate and onto a straight path through an arable field into a wood. Here the path to the left can get muddy and the alternative to the right of the hedge will bring you back after a short distance. Here you are entering an RSPB reserve - Fore Wood. Following the path straight is heavy underfoot with course aggregate surface. Going through the gate at the bottom of brings you out into the sunlight and the path across the arable field reaches a metalled track turning right up a short steep rise. At Powdermill Cottage, turn right again down a metalled road where the "Speed Bumps" appear to be superfluous. Across a bridge over a babbling stream and up past a stud on your right brings you to Peppering Eye Farm with its impressive Oast Conversion. Continue along this private road through its protective gate to the T-junction where you'll turn left again onto a narrow road. Keep on the right hand side. It's a short walk to the junction with Powdermill Lane. Be careful at this junction - traffic is moving fast downhill from the right and up from the left. Cross Powdermill Lane and up to the gate you see opposite up the bank. Go through the gate and follow the path in the safety of the protective wooded corridor. Cross the metalled track to Powdermill Hotel and take the path through fields and woodland past the grounds of Battle Abbey. Shortly there is a track to the left of the hedge which people seem to prefer to the correct path on the right. At the gate, walkers who reach the locked gate appear to have trampled the wire fence to reach the broken gate on the path. Through this gate the route takes a gentle rise through a scrubby field with some impressive oaks. Falling gently and rising again, against a small stream, the path takes you past the path to the cricket ground at George Meadow and Upper Stumblets. Follow the path with an ancient brick wall and the Abbey to your right, brings you promptly into Battle Town Square.

A pleasant walk, following much of the Bexhill Link of the 1066 country walk (waymarked along the majority of this route).
Starting urban, there is a nice mix of countryside trail, footpath and forest walking. In winter, certain sections can get extremely boggy and require heavy duty walking shoes or wellies, but through the summer you should be assured of dry conditions throughout.
Some stiles and gates along the way, and on this route, a section along country lanes (this can be avoided with a small detour as you come into Crowhurst off the slow ways route, following the waymarked 1066 Bexhill link).

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