What is 1066 Harold's Way?
{{orphan|date=March 2025}} '''1066 Harold’s Way''' is a long-distance path in [[South East England]]. It was developed in 2013. The path goes from [[Westminster Abbey]] to [[Battle Abbey]]. It goes through [[London]], [[Kent]] and [[East Sussex]]. The route includes parts of the [[Thames Path]], the [[Green Chain Walk]], the [[Kent Downs]] Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the [[High Weald]] AONB. 1066 Harold’s Way [[commemorate]]s King [[Harold II]]’s march to the [[Battle of Hastings]] on 14 October 1066. It is based on the [[Roman road]] network that was still being used in 1066. That went from London to [[Rochester, Kent|Rochester]] along [[Watling Street]] and then south through [[Maidstone]], [[Staplehurst]], [[Sissinghurst]], [[Benenden]] and [[Bodiam]], a clear route through the former [[Forest of the Andreasweald]] and a route that offers some of the best scenic views for walkers. The total length of 1066 Harold’s Way is 160 [[km]] (100 [[mile]]s), mainly along [[Public Footpath]]s and [[Public Rights of Way]] (PRoW) and as a result, is unsuitable for cyclists or riders on horseback. The route is mixed-category in that it varies throughout the length from footpath (80%) to [[bridleway]], [[byway]] and road. Some 15% of 1066 Harold’s Way is along roads, of which almost all are on minor lanes. The route is accessible by [[public transport]]. 1066 Harold’s Way links with the 1066 Country Walk. == London to Rochester == From Westminster Abbey, 1066 Harold’s Way follows the Embankment and the Thames Path to [[Greenwich]], the [[O2Arena]] and the [[Thames Barrier]]. It continues to [[Erith]] along the [[Green Chain Walk]] through [[Marryon Park]], [[Charlton Park]], [[Plumstead Common]], [[Bostall Woods]], and [[Lesnes Abbey Woods]]. After [[Cray Marshes]], the path follows the [[River Darent]] through [[Dartford]] to climb up to the [[North Downs]] at [[Beacon Hill Country Park]]. It continues through [[Jeskyn’s Country Park]], past the [[Darnley Mausoleum]] to join the North Downs Way. It