Robertsbridge is an historic village in between Heathfield and Rye. It dates back to the 12th century when a Cistercian Abbey was founded here. There remain a number of interesting buildings in the village that date back to the 14th and 15th century and you can read interesting blue plaques as you walk up the high street. The abbey was closed in 1538 as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
The Seven Stars Inn was a 14th-century pub but whilst the building still stands, the pub is long closed. The village is known for being the home of the Gray-Nicholls cricket bat factory and with luck and a fair wind, the village will soon be the start point of the Rother Valley heritage railway extension which is set to join up with the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Once this is open, you’ll be able to catch a heritage train to Bodiam Castle.
Nearby, Salehurst Church is mentioned in the Domesday Book and stands proud on a mound and just across the valley from the remains of the abbey. Back in the village, look out for the War Memorial clock tower, erected in 1926 in memory of those who lost their lives.
A 5 km walk
As you head south into the village having turned off the A21, you come to a small car park. Alternatively, if you have travelled by train to Robertsbridge, walk up towards the high street and turn left, following the line of old houses, over the bridge and you’ll see the car park on your left.
The foot path is on the opposite side of the road to the car park and takes you across a field (along the side of the river) and under a bridge. From here, bear right and then follow the track / lane until you come to Fair Lane. Here, bear left and keeping walking until you come to a little junction with an oast farming building and hop fields.
Optional extension
For local points of interest, head straight on here. You’ll pass the hop fields and then turn left down a footpath that will bring you to the church at Salehurst. If you want to loop back to Robertsbridge, take the lane to left of the church and in front of the pub and it will bring you back to the village.
Alternatively instead of turning left to Salehurst, walk on a little and you will pass the site of the old abbey. It’s now a private house with some ruins in the grounds and although you really can’t see much, it helps give you a sense of the place as it was. And it’s very quiet here so you can imagine the monks at prayer.
Park Wood
If you don’t want to do the extension, turn right at the little crossroads and look out for the footpath sign that takes you into Park Wood. This is a gorgeous area of woodland and you wind your away across it following the path until you reach the edge where you double back on yourself. Following the woody path, you drop down over the river and then find yourself in an open field. Cross this and carefully cross the main road and then follow the path round the edge of the school and back into Robertsbridge.
Places to eat
If you make it to Salehurst, there is a pub The Salehurst Halt. Back in Robertsbridge, Judges Bakery on the corner of the high street has lots of goodies to eat and The George Inn has a bar and restaurant.
If you have enjoyed this Robertsbridge walk and are in the area, you may also like:
