We are 2 couples from the US who are walking in the Cotswolds in May 2017. From there we are traveling to the east coast (Sandwich) where we will walk to Dover, then take a car/limo (?) to Rye. There we are hoping to find some lovely places to continue our walk before taking the train back to London for a 3-day tour. The reason we're opting to go east is that we want to experience the coast of England and Cornwall is just too far for us to go on this trip. Does anyone have thoughts about visiting Rye (or perhaps other towns in that area)? Thanks.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Rye is a good choice, but no need to break the bank and take a "car/limo". You can take a train. From Dover, you would change at Ashford, and then get a train on the "coastline" to Rye. From Rye the train carries on to Hastings and Brighton, with connections to London. Map here: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/documents/content/routemaps/LSE%20QR%205-16%20(GTR).pdf
Lookup times in the usual place: http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17563 posts
I see you got excellent advice about your walk on Tripadvisor, including a link to a blog by a woman who is walking the whole coast. You might look carefully at her photos and narrative of the walk from Sandwich to Dymchurch, which she did over four days---##43 to 46. While she deems Day 44 the "best day ever" she does find that scramble up a grassy slope, using handholds, a bit daunting ( as would I). The first day out of Sandwich, past golf courses, seems a bit tame, and the last day there looks to be a firing range one must cross.
You say you chose this walk because you want a coastal walk and Cornwall is too far. But you don't have to go all the way to Land's End to find lovely walking in Cornwall. We went only as far as Port Isaac ( as we are huge Doc Martin fans) and walked the coast path in both directions from there. With a bit more time we could have covered the distance to Tintagel---but it was a Sunday and the local bus was not running ( could have taken a taxi back, however). Everyone who sees our photos of the area is awed.
Another possibility, even closer to the Cotswolds, is the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, specifically Lulworth Cove. This is just a bit west of due south from the Cotswolds. HF Holidays has a country house there that is a base for guided or self-guided walking holidays of 3-7 days. They provide lodging, excellent meals, and maps and guides. The website lists the popular walks from this spot:
https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/self-guided-walking-west-lulworth-house/
The longer walks ( listed under "full-on walks" such as Tyneham, Durlston Head, and others look to be in your range of interest. These correspond to days 74-77 in the blog. You can read there and see photos to determine if they pique your interest.
We did one short break with HF Holidays in the Lake District last May and would happily go with them again.
Just a thought. . . .
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thanks so much for this suggestion. We'll look into this option. We are trying to do as much as we can and still feel like we're on a walking trip. This area looks wonderful!
Posted by
2599 posts
The coast south of Rye is boring - just a flat area of shingle with a nuclear power station.
To get from the Cotswolds to Sandwich - you have got to get across London - which is a pain. Being as you are already in the west, consider other coasts. Trains (slow) go from Bath / Bristol down to Weymouth in around 2 hours from where you could walk the Dorset coast eastward (or take a bus from Dorchester). Lulworth Cove well worth it. Also consider taking the train into south Wales. You could head for Swansea (not worth seeing) and then take a bus to the end of the Gower peninsula at Rhosilli - known as one of the best coastal views in Britain. Overnight in Rhosilli before starting to walk eastward along the south coast of Gower or just do local coastal walks from your base. Lovely sandy coves and spectacular cliffs in this area. Bath or Cheltenham or Swindon to Swansea takes just over 2 hours by train. (It depends which part of the Cotswolds you are in).
If in south Wales, rather than take the train straight back to London, I would spend at least 1 night in Cardiff - see Cardiff Castle and perhaps take a local train to see Caerphilly Castle - 7 mlies north. http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/caerphilly-castle/?lang=en
http://www.cardiffcastle.com
www.nationalrail.co.uk (pre-book about 11 weeks out longer distance trains for cheapest prices).
https://www.visitswanseabay.com/destinations/gower-peninsula
https://museum.wales/stfagans/ - 5 miles west of Cardiff.
/http://www.lulworthonline.co.uk
www.traveline.info - for buses.
http://www.traveline.cymru -buses in Wales.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
OK. Now we are looking into the Dorset Coast of England instead of Dover, Rye, etc. Traveling to this area looks to be very doable from the Cotswolds and the walking choices are stunning, judging from the pictures that are posted. Thanks for that suggestion.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17563 posts
Nice! Please Report back, as we will probably choose between Dorset coast and Cornwall for our next UK walking trip.