Saxon Shore Way

Estuaries, marshland, and a journey along England's historic south-east coast.

The Saxon Shore Way is a long-distance route running from Gravesend in Kent to Hastings in East Sussex, following the changing coastline of south-east England. Tracing the line of former Roman and Saxon coastal defences, the trail links estuaries, saltmarshes, beaches, chalk cliffs, historic ports, and coastal settlements through a continuous journey beside the sea.

As a self-guided journey, the route connects places such as Gravesend, Faversham, Whitstable, Dover, Folkestone, Rye, and Hastings while passing through tidal landscapes, working harbours, wetlands, and some of England's most historically significant coastal regions. Seawalls, shoreline paths, marshland crossings, and clifftop sections create a route defined by both landscape and heritage.

With generally accessible terrain, a wide range of places to stay, and strong transport connections along much of the route, the Saxon Shore Way offers a rewarding long-distance coastal journey. The trail combines maritime history, wildlife-rich landscapes, and centuries of settlement, revealing the evolving relationship between people and the coastline of Kent and Sussex.

Overview

Distance 163 miles / 262 km

Duration 12–16 days

Difficulty Moderate

Start Gravesend, Kent

Finish Hastings, East Sussex

Terrain Seawalls, estuary paths, saltmarsh tracks, shingle beaches, clifftop sections, farmland, and seaside promenades