Hastings to the Sea

As not everybody has been able to make it to Hastings on my London to Hastings rides, I’ve decided to improve the odds by starting there.

Classy painting showing arrival of new shipment of high fashion

We’ll meet at the train station, wind our way up the streets of this ancient Cinque Port and now proud host of Primark, then take the lanes to Bodiam, where railinfrastructurespotters will note the heritage line, once upon a time the hop-pickers express: Guinness, who owned land here, promised glamping then pulled a bait-and-switch.

We'll pause at the statutorily picturesque castle ruins, bought by John ‘Mad Jack’ Fuller in the early 19th century and now property of The National Trust, which charges admission to the grounds unless you profer one of their special "I'm not a commoner" cards.

We’ll visit Jack’s pyramid up the road in Brightling, do lunch down the hill (but back up another) in Burwash, have a peek at the country pile of a surprise celebrity or two, and enjoy lovely Wealden (as opposed to Wildean) views in transit to Heathfield. There we'll continue south down the Cuckoo Trail, likely dodging a few barmy dog walkers along the way.

Before too long we’ll find ourselves on the Hastings seafront, our counterclockwise exertions at an end, thus fulfilling our goal, with all attendant fanfare.

Length: 62 miles

When: May 4th

Email to express interest and for more information: london2hastings [at] gmail.com. Because I already have enough gmail accounts.