Olympic Torch Relay - 1066

The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will involve 8,000 inspiring people carrying the Olympic Flame around the UK for 70 days. Arriving in the UK from Greece on Friday 18 May 2012, the Olympic starts its journey on Saturday 19 May 2012.

The route for the torch relay has now been announced, placing Hastings & 1066 Country firmly on the global map. Famous landmarks, including Battle Abbey, will be visited by the Olympic torch.

The torch will arrive in East Sussex on Tuesday 17 July; torchbearers will carry the flame to Hastings through Pevensey, Bexhill-on-Sea, with community events (to be announced) on the way and the torch staying overnight at Hastings.  The following day the torch relay will continue through Rye on its way to Dover on 18 July.

This is great news for 1066 Country: a wonderful opportunity to show the world the special historic places here to be discovered.

The torch will end its journey at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July when the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony will signify the start of the London Games.

Olympic torch relay route in Sussex

Monday 16 July  -  Rogate, Midhurst, Easebourne, Tillington, Petworth, Duncton, Chichester, North Bersted, South Bersted, Bognor Regis, Woodgate, Westergate, Arundel, Worthing, Lancing, West Blatchington, Brighton & Hove

Tuesday 17 July  - Brighton & Hove, Crawley, Copthorne, Felbridge, East Grinstead, Royal Tunbridge Wells (Kent), Crowborough, Lewes, Eastbourne, Pevensey Bay, Pevensey, Bexhill-on-Sea, St Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings

Wednesday 18 July  - Hastings, Rye 

1066 Country needs no excuse  for a party so watch this space for details of how we will be celebrating this once in a lifetime occasion.

Hastings celebrates the arrival of the Olympic torch with not one evening but a whole week of events along the length of the seafront. Celebrations begin with the St Leonards Festival on Saturday 14 July, a riot of colour and music with stalls and entertainment in Warrior Square. On Tuesday 17 July the festivities continue in anticipation of the torch's arrival that evening, with three main sites of entertainment. Starting at the most westerly point of the seafront, Grosvenor Gardens hosts community sporting events of putting, bowling and cycling; Warrior Square for music (more to come on that) and The Stade Open Space in Hastings Old Town for the evening's destination for the torch (pre-ticketed event).

When the torch departs on Wednesday for Dover via the beautiful medieval town of Rye, the Olympic party goes on! From Wednesday to Saturday a number of Olympic themed sports events will be held throughout Hastings & St Leonards.

Hastings' Olympic Torch Week culminates in a rousing 'ARRGGHH!' on Sunday 22 July when the record breaking Hastings Pirate Day takes place in an attempt to regain the town's 2010 Guinness World Record title. The grand finale sees the world famous Red Arrows roar into town for the first time since 1988 for a spectacular display over Hastings seafront for a fantastic end to one of the most amazing week's in Hastings' recent history!

Did you know?

• The Torch will be on the road from 8am-8pm everyday
• 120 torch bearers will run with the Torch each day
• The Torch will travel 80-100 miles each day