1 - From the exit at Battle Station, turn right, through the car park (pay and display, but cheaper on Sundays) following a footpath parallel to the railway. Before going too far, turn and look at the station building which is not a redundant church but was a Victorian eccentricity when built in the 1850s.

On reaching the level crossing, turn left, up Marley Lane. Cross the road opposite the cemetery entrance. If desired, detour along the access road to view the cemetery chapel (possibly the same architect as the station building?).

Continue up Marley Lane admiring the view across fields; it should be possible to see a windmill between trees, which will be passed later. Also, see the National Trust plaque by a kissing-gate.

Continue towards the town past the parish church (worth a look-in, if open) turning right down an access road to the church hall. Here, turn left through a wooden gate and follow a rural footpath until coming to a block of flats.

Turn left, up the steps, then right to a public car park (pay and display, with toilet facilities; an alternative start to the walk).

2 - At the car park exit, turn left into Mount Street (note many historic buildings), then right to the top end of the High Street, past a roundabout into London Road.

On the way, at the zebra crossing, look across the road to the building with the walled garden. This is The Almonry with the town’s museum adjacent. There is also a delightful lower garden that is open to the public.

Where the roadside path ends, cross and continue, turning left into an access drive through housing to Watch Oak House. Turn right along a track, bearing left downhill to cross a stile.

Enter field and walk straight ahead, using Beech Farm, on the other side of the valley, as a marker. At the bottom of the field, cross a footbridge and continue straight ahead over a stile, keeping close to the hedge on the right.

At the end of this field, cross a stile, turn right along a tarmac drive, passing Kingswell Farm. At crest of the next rise follow the footpath left into a wood. Turn right at junction of tracks and, after passing through a gate, turn left back onto the tarmac drive to the road.

Turn right downhill to cross a bridge with stone parapets and continue uphill. Where the road bears right, turn left into Wattles Wish. At the farther end, go straight ahead to the main road.

3 - Turn right and cross immediately before the Battle sign and over a stile in front of housing. Follow the footpath to the right, then left uphill, crossing two estate roads, continuing uphill to the top of Caldbec Hill.

It is thought that this is where King Harold’s army encamped the night before the battle in 1066. This is now Kingsmead Open Space, from where there are extensive views.

If a rest is desired, there are two seats near the white pillar which is an Ordnance Survey trig point.

The right-of-way continues through a gap in the corner of the field along the driveway beside The Old Mill, now restored to a private residence. Continue down the driveway to the road and turn left along the footpath.

Just over the top of the hill, cross the wide green and road, then along a track to the left of a brick wall. Where the track turns sharp right, go into a field bearing slightly left downhill to the right of a large oak tree and left of a seat (useful for a rest, if desired).

At the bottom of the field, find a gap in the hedge (stile missing) by a footpath sign. Continue ahead with a hedge to the right.

4 - On reaching Uckham Lane, turn right past The White House and a large thatched farmhouse. As the ground rises, Battle parish church can be seen to the right.

Continue downhill over the railway bridge bearing right in front of Bridge Barn. At the next footpath sign bear slightly left between two fences, then downhill through two kissing-gates onto the access road to the waste water treatment works.

Here, find a path on the right by metal railings, left of metal gates, and follow as it runs alongside a metal fence, through a field, then parallel to the railway, between housing and railway fence, to the road.

If desired, to shorten the walk, cross the railway; and turn left to return to the station; or continue up Marley Lane to return to the town.

5 - Cross into a housing estate opposite (Knights Meadow), down the slope and turn left. Take the second right into Harrier Lane and follow round the left-hand bend.

Where it bends left again, turn right by a footpath sign; taking the right-hand fork through a rough field and bushes, then uphill into a second field.

Follow a path diagonally uphill to the farther top corner (housing can be seen through trees) and where it narrows between board fences into a housing estate. Follow the access road out to the main road; turning right downhill over the railway bridge past the Senlac Inn.

At the top of Station Approach, turn right for the station; or, for a quick return to the town, continue ahead alongside the main road.

  • Distance/Time: Five-and-a-half miles/two-and-a-half hours; with option to shorten the walk, if desired
  • By Car: Adequate car parking (pay and display) in Battle
  • By Public Transport: Recommended, trains to Battle from Hastings and Tunbridge Wells. Buses to top of Station Approach or top of High Street from Hastings, Bexhill, Heathfield and Hawkhurst
  • What’s underfoot: Mostly good undulating paths, but can be quite muddy in places if wet
  • Thirsty Work: Ample pubs and restaurants in Battle
  • So you don’t get lost: OS Explorer 124

Click here for a full-sized map of the Battle walk