[Illustration:  PEVENSEY.]

Pevensey shore is very trying for the pedestrian.  The great expanse of shingle is of that drifting variety which makes walking almost an impossibility.

Pevensey church is to the east of the castle; the interior is graceful and it has some interesting details.  Note the case of local curiosities, title deeds, etc.  Westham, that part of the village nearest the station, was the overflow settlement from the walled town; this has a much finer church with Norman remains dating from the Conqueror’s time, and the tower is noble in its massive proportions.  Visitors should purchase the interesting little booklet shown on the table within the porch.  The church has a fine oak screen in the south chancel and a stone altar with five crosses in the north aisle.  Not far away is a large farmhouse known as “Priest-house”; this was once a monastic establishment.

[Illustration:  WESTHAM.]

Close to Westham is Pevensey Station, from which the traveller can proceed to Hastings, Rye and Winchelsea; this beautiful and interesting district of Sussex is dealt with in Mr. Bradley’s An Old Gate of England, and we must regretfully turn westwards.  The return journey to Lewes may be made by the railway, though the Downs, for the unfatigued traveller, should prove the most alluring route.  After passing Polegate a good view may be had on the left of the “Long Man of Wilmington” a figure 230 feet in length with a staff in each hand cut in the escarpment of Windover Hill; this is the only prehistoric figure on the Sussex Downs.  Its origin has never been satisfactorily explained.  Lower has suggested that it was the work of an idle monk of Wilmington.  This is most unlikely.  The theory has lately been put forward that the “staff” which the figure appears to be holding in each hand is really the outline of a door and that the effigy is that of Balder pushing back the gates of night.  Wilmington village has an interesting Norman Church with a very fine yew in the churchyard.  Built into the walls of a farmhouse close by are some remains of a Benedictine priory.  Beautiful walks into the nearer woodlands of the Weald are easily taken from this pleasant village and the hill rambles toward Jevington are delightful.

Before leaving this district mention must be made of Hurstmonceux.  The nearest station is Pevensey, from which there is a rather dull walk of four miles across the Pevensey Levels.  The more picturesque route is from Hailsham, though this is longer and belongs more to a tour of the Weald.  The only village passed on the way from Pevensey is Wartling, beyond which a footpath can be taken across the meadows with a fine view of the ruins ahead.  The present castle was built by Sir Roger de Fiennes in the reign of Henry VI.  The name is taken from the first Lord of the Manor, Waleran de Monceux.

[Illustration:  WILMINGTON GREEN.]