Between Rye Harbour and Hastings is Pett Level, a tiny hamlet at the foot of the cliffs on the coastal path. It’s on the edge of a flat area where you’ll find a number of small, man made lakes.
You can reach Pett Level by walking or cycling from Winchelsea Beach, Rye Harbour or Hastings, or by car. Next to Pett Level is Cliff End, another tiny hamlet with stunning views although it’s hard to tell where one begins and the other ends.
Why visit?
This area feels wonderfully off the beaten track. It has pebble beaches and is good for bird watching, fishing and fossil hunting. This was the site of an ancient Ice Age forest and if you’re lucky, you can still occasionally find remnants of trees or see dinosaur footprints made by iguanodons and ankylosaurus up to 100m years ago.
Shipwreck
Pett Level was also where the 17th century warship HMS Anne run aground to avoid capture during the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690. The wreck lies on the low water mark of the beach but it is exposed during spring low tides. There is an information board on the beach.
Walking
Pett Level marks the end of the Royal Military Canal which runs for 28 miles to Hythe. This was built as a defence against the possible invasion by Napoleon.
Pett Level is also on the Saxon Shore Way and the Coastal Path. That means you may just be walking through on your way to Rye or Hastings, and if so, this marks the point where the flat coastal walk from Rye Harbour changes to the undulating, rocky paths of the cliffs.
However, you could also come here to enjoy one of a number of other walks:
- A 7 km loop along the Royal Military Canal Path towards Rye until the first footpath to your right at Wickham which will bring you back to Pett Level via the coastal path.
- A 20 km loop along the Royal Military Canal Path and round Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
- A linear 5 km walk via Fairlight Cliffs to the Hastings Country Park Visitor Centre just beyond Fire Hills.
Look out for…
In Fairlight Cove (as you head out of the village towards Fire Hills) you’ll notice a WWII aircraft propeller in someone’s front garden. The owner has kindly provided some information on a board that tells you more about the propellor and WWII operations in the area.
Eat at Pett
Back in Pett Level, you’ll find a little café called Eater’s at Pett next to the Independent Rescue Boat centre. It’s a gorgeous little café which does fabulous bacon sandwiches and great cake. Perfect to refuel for some more exploring.
If you have liked this post, you may also like:
