Artists and authors have been drawn to St Leonards-on-Sea for generations and we can celebrate their stories, their work, and the landscapes that shaped them. That creative spark that inspired them is still alive today and the town remains a haven for painters, writers, performers and makers.
Creativity has always lived here. It still does.
SEE YOU ALL AT HASTINGS BOOK FAIR Saturday 12th September 2026
Observer Building, Hastings.
11 – 4pm FREE ENTRY
Short Walks in 1066 Country
Walks around Rye
Walks around Winchelsea
And Walks around Battle
And closer to home in Burton St Leonards
Another man dreamed of a brand new town
Where people came to take the sea air
And be inspired to write or draw
Adding their names to the Artists and Authors
Who made the town their home.
SEE YOU ALL AT HASTINGS BOOK FAIR Saturday 12th September 2026
Observer Building, Hastings. 11 – 4pm FREE ENTRY
Long Walks and Short Walks
Easy Walks and Harder Walks
Town Walks and Pub Walks
History Walks has them all
A Town shocked by a Murder in Rye
But there’s more to this story than meets the eye
Was it Mistaken Identity or a Conspiracy
That night in 1742 or maybe 1743
And sixty years later
Men dreamed of a Canal across the Weald
From Teapot Island to the Sea
How wonderful that would that have been
If only it had been built
And closer to home in Burton St Leonards
Another man dreamed of a brand new town
Where people came to take the sea air
And be inspired to write or draw
Adding their names to the Artists and Authors
Who made the town their home.
And finally 1066, that tumultuous year
A year full of stories of Battles and Kings
That created the news for The Saxon Times
And the story of Harold amongst other things
SEE YOU ALL AT HASTINGS BOOK FAIR Saturday 12th September 2026
Observer Building, Hastings. 11 – 4pm FREE ENTRY
When King Edward the Confessor died in January 1066, no one could have imagined the chain of upheavals that would follow. England, steady under the leadership of Harold Godwinson, Dux Anglorum, was suddenly thrust into a year defined by ambition, invasion, and relentless conflict.
King Edward’s death and Harold’s swift coronation ignited rival claims, foreign threats, and political intrigue that would ultimately cost Harold the crown he fought so fiercely to defend.
The Saxon Times reimagines this extraordinary year as if reported by a contemporary English newspaper, bringing the events of 1066 to life through the voices of its fictional reporters.
This unique narrative journey begins with the consecration of Westminster Abbey in December 1065 and concludes on New Year’s Eve 1066, with England’s new king seeking refuge in a nunnery at Barking.
Blending historical accuracy with creative storytelling, The Saxon Times offers a fresh perspective on one of the most dramatic years in English history — a year of kings, battles, betrayal, and the turning of an age.
To commemorate the 960th Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, The Saxon Times will be available at the reduced price of £12.50 until the 14th October 2026.
Available now at: The Saxon Times, History Walks, Talks and Books by David Clarke
There’s so much history to celebrate in the castles and abbeys, the towns and villages and these five suggested routes, visiting Bodiam Castle, Sissinghurst Castle, Scotney Castle, Batemans and Battle Abbey, will help you to discover the best that this corner of Kent and Sussex has to offer.
The High Weald is an altogether softer countryside of rolling hills, rivers, woods and hedgerows; of ridges and valleys and a patchwork of smaller fields. Farms and oasthouses scatter the view from almost every vantage point and all are connected by ancient roads, Roman roads and sunken lanes.
There is a natural beauty to the High Weald, that has been enhanced though conservation and history, and by ‘Driving the High Weald’ on Three Castles and an Ironmaster’s House, you can experience this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) at first hand.
Start your adventure today
Guidebook available from History Walks: www.1066haroldsway.co.uk
History Walks Talks & Books will be at Stade Hall Market this Sunday 19th April 2026:
All the History Walks books will be on display and David would love to talk to you about Long Walks, Short Walks, Other Stories and all things 1066.
#stadehallmarket #hastings #1066haroldsway #saxontimes #historywalks #historywalkstalks
Where: Stade Hall The Stade, Hastings TN34 3FJ
When: 19th April 2026, 11:00 – 16:00
The Butcher of Rye
When the sun shines through the trees of St Mary’s graveyard, it is hard to imagine that it was the scene of a crime that would echo through the generations in Rye. But maybe there is more to this celebrated murder than meets the eye. David will be happy to talk to you about A Lamb to the Slaughter at the Book Fair.
All the History Walks books will be on display and if you can’t get to the Fair, they are also available by mail order at www.1066haroldsway.co.uk
Where: Observer Building, 53 Cambridge Road, Hastings TN34 1DT
When: 13 Sept 2025, 11:00 – 16:00
#hastingsbookfair #hastings #1066haroldsway #murderinrye #historywalks #historywalkstalks #davidclarke
There is no better way to celebrate the Battle of Hastings then to imagine the walk to Battle, East Sussex, to a battle that changed the course of English history. Inspired by King Harold’s March to the Battle of Hastings 1066, there can be no more emotive walk.
David will be happy to talk to you about Long Walks, Short Walks and Other Stories – And ………….. all things 1066.
All the History Walks books will be on display and if you can’t get to the Fair, they are also available by mail order at www.1066haroldsway.co.uk
Where: Observer Building, 53 Cambridge Road, Hastings TN34 1DT
When: 13 Sept 2025, 11:00 – 16:00
#hastingsbookfair #hastings #1066haroldsway #saxontimes #historywalks #historywalkstalks #davidclarke
Immerse yourself in 1066 with a long distance walk inspired by King Harold’s March to the Battle of Hastings 1066, to a battle that changed the course of English history.
King Harold, triumphant at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, now marches to face Duke William of Normandy on a final 100 mile journey from the heart of London. Then as now, the route is based on the Roman road network that was still in use in King Harold’s time, east out of London to Rochester (Watling Street) and south from Rochester across the Weald to Battle.
In its 3rd Edition, this updated and revised spiral bound Guidebook to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way now includes ‘William’s Way’, a final section walking from Battle Abbey to Hastings Castle, for a true Capital to Coast experience.
There can be no more emotive walk.
IT’S MORE THAN JUST FOOTSTEPS ON A PATH
Capital to Coast: The Guide to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way is available from all good bookshops, Amazon and by mail order direct from History Walks.
Publisher: History Walks, Talks and Books ISBN: 9781916308312
MAKE 1066 HAROLD’S WAY YOUR LONG DISTANCE WALK FOR 2025
MAKE 1066 HAROLD’S WAY YOUR LONG DISTANCE WALK FOR 2025
There is no better way to celebrate the Battle of Hastings then to imagine the walk to Battle, East Sussex, to a battle that changed the course of English history.
Inspired by King Harold’s March to the Battle of Hastings 1066, there can be no more emotive walk.
The Guidebook to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way relates the history of that tumultuous year with step by step instructions to guide you from Westminster Abbey and a final section from Battle Abbey to Hastings Castle, for a true Capital to Coast experience.
MORE THAN JUST FOOTSTEPS ON A PATH
Capital to Coast: The Guide to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way is available from all good bookshops, Amazon and by mail order direct from History Walks.
http://www.1066 haroldsway.co.uk
historywalksblog 