Winchelsea& Rye Harbour nature reserve: hike and bird-seal watch

Yaaaaay Santa has given us a lot of presents, our families have cooked a lot of food, and now...we are so full! SO Let's travel to the sea and the countryside for a beautiful hike to burn those Christmas calories and make space for our New Year Diner and start 2025 even fitter than we already are... The walk is quite easy, pretty flat with just a slight inclination at the beginning. We will start in the historic town of Winchelsea, a beautiful place and will finish in Rye, the most beautiful town in South East England and will walk through the most instagramed street in the country! Mermaid street!

This trip will have everything, history, hike, sea, countryside and most importantly, one of the most important nature reserve in the South where tens of thousands of birds winter. Short eared owls and barn owls, all the waders you can dream of , hen and marsh harriers are spotted regularly on site and I even saw goshawks in the woodlands!
Winchelsea was once a major hub for the medieval wine trade and a sea port of national importance just like Rye that was one of the famous Cinque Ports!
We will explore a town rich in characterful houses, with three medieval gates, one of the best medieval church buildings in Sussex and beautiful views of the sea and open country on all sides.
We will then head to Rye Harbour nature reserve for a stroll on the beach and through some beautiful saltmarshes and lakes before we head to the medieval castle before we head to the next town, Rye, by bus for a lovely diner or a pint at the pub unless you just wish to hop on the train back to good old London.
ATTENTION! IT IS WINTER PEOPLE, please wear the right footwear and appropriate clothing, I cannot avoid mud where there is mud. If you come with trainers, they will be good for the bin and you will be ice skating instead of hiking and NOT in a very sexy way...
This day will be a day filled with fun and laughter, fresh air, gossips and teasing and a far too noisy, know-it-all guide. Probably some Christmas songs too... As always, we have people of all sorts, with believes, disbelieves, from the right, the left and the middle. Please respect each other's and keep politics at the parliament. We are here for a good day where we leave work and our problems at home and where we enjoy every minutes...if you love food,... you are even more welcome :)
INFORMATION:
Distance:13 miles/19km
Difficulty:easy/medium
TRAVEL:
Via train
MEETING POINT:
08.00 am at St Pancras station, by the Pret a Manger which is located near the Starbucks and departure board.(Please do not go to King's Cross station across the street.
COST:
£ 17 via Paypal
About £25 in cash for the train on the day, we will get a discounted group ticket that we will buy together at the station
about £3 tap in with your bank card for a short bus ride to Rye.
INCLUDED:
Guided hike
A great time with lovely people
NOT INCLUDED:
Train ticket
Bus
Anything not mentioned above
WHAT TO BRING:
Waterproof shoes for the hike, preferably hiking shoes, otherwise good trainers;
Weather appropriate clothes, including waterproofs if there is a chance of rain;
Water bottle;
Packed lunch and snacks.
Cash for the train
WHATSAPP:
A WhatsApp group will be created a few days before the trips, no one is forced to join of course, but I will post additional information on it, we usually also exchange photos and videos.
ATTENTION:
Our trips will not be cancelled due to weather conditions so please ensure that you do wear and carry appropriate clothing. 😄
POLICIES:
1: This group is designed for the pleasure and enjoyment of all of us, we do not accept any derogatory comments or behaviours towards anyone. Racism, discrimination and other unacceptable behaviours will only lead to your rejection of any of our trips and this is without exception. Everyone is welcome, we have religious and non-religious people, gay, straight, bisexual people, all shades and colours or nationalities, people of all ages, sex and political beliefs and mutual respect is the fundamental spirit of this group.
2: Our trips are only refundable up to 14 days before departure, if you wish to cancel after that, you will be offered a transfer to another trip for the same price or you may resell your slot to somebody else.
3: If we do cancel the entirety of the trip on our site, you will be fully refunded
4: Pleasure ensure that you check this page regularly as times and meeting locations might change.