Ballyhandy

About the location

WINCHELSEA BEACH

Rye 3.6 miles; Hastings 9.1 miles; Battle 13.5 miles

A seaside village in the parish of Icklesham in the Rother district of East Sussex, Winchelsea Beach is a wonderful base for those in pursuit of a coastal retreat, with plenty of historic delights on its doorstep. Home to a waterfront restaurant with a boutique style food shop and coffee bar attached, a pub, café and a local store, it provides everything needed for a self-catered stay. The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve also sits within the village and makes a wonderful spot for those seeking rich birdlife, with many species frequenting its marshlands as well as the sands of the beach, there's plenty of nature and scenic spots to be uncovered here. Explore the reserve's plethora of coastal habitats, including shingle, saltmarsh, saline lagoons and more, or for a relaxing day with loved ones choose to unwind on the golden sands of the beach where you can partake in watersports, soak in the sun or enjoy a leisurely stroll at any time of year. In close reach is the modest town of Winchelsea, once a major hub for the medieval wine trade, it now offers its own enticing museum in the form of the Winchelsea Court Hall Museum, presenting local exhibits of the past history of the area, it's well-worth a visit, or for even more history, be sure to head to Hastings, famous for the 1066 Battle of Hastings, here you can find the ruins of Hastings Castle, Battle Abbey and the Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, alongside family-fun attractions such as its picturesque pier to roam where you can reach its beautiful beach, the Blue Reef Aquarium and the Smugglers Adventure, a series of underground tunnels where you can walk in the footsteps of smugglers, there's so much excitement to be found here. For a truly scenic experience, visit the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a medieval landscape with a plethora of terrains to roam, offering sensational views, rich history in the form of various landmarks from imposing castles to National Trust properties and plenty of walking and cycling routes all around, it's a true wonder to be seen.