When chalk freezes in this way it becomes impermeable (water cannot pass through it). Walmer, the White Cliffs and Dover, 69. Sorry, but your browser does not appear to be accepting our cookies. From Wye Church, take the path through the churchyard signposted North Downs Way and turn right onto a tarmac road. Kents long distance trails deliver wide horizons, stunning scenery, rich history and an exhilarating sense of freedom. Our site details self-guided circular routes of varying lengths that have been developed by the. For more information and a map, see here. - Deer Kent Downs AONB for research and information, Dan Tusonfor writing the text on the Wye Crown and his invaluable book The Kent Downs, Geographand Flickr Creative Commonsfor additional images, Peter Vujakovicand Sonia Overall at Canterbury Christ Church University for their imaginative introductions to the Wye landscape, If you would know me, you must know the Downs, the chalk hills of Kent, stretching across the county, shaking themselves free from roads and smoke and towns - Rhoda Cutbush, The North Downs. A beautiful 3-hour walk that links Chartwell with Emmetts Garden. For a map and more information, see here. There is plenty of wildlife to enjoy plus an atmospheric woodland of ancient yews and some beautiful views. The spring flows above ground through the village before it joins the River Stour. All rights reserved. Keep an eye out for: Skylarks and kestrels hovering over the Downs. Something went wrong, please try again later. A walk in the gardens will take you past yellow tulip trees, and spindle-fruited Celastrus Arbieulatus over the doorway onto the bowling green lawn at the old castle. Autumn views south of the weald from the Kent Downs (Shutterstock). Follow this 22.5 miles route as it meanders through the hidden byways, ancient woodland and attractive villages surrounded by parkland, orchards and farmsteads. 5-15 years: 6.80/Family - 2 adults + 2 . Explore Mariners Hill on this circular trail, which takes in fantastic views over Sir Winston Churchill's home at the Chartwell estate and the Weald of Kent. From Dover's staggering White Cliffs and the bustling seaside towns of the east coast, to the peaceful banks of the Medway River and the ancient remains of Coldrum Long Barrow, Kent has many landscapes worth exploring discover them on foot with our favourite county walks. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Walking Questions and Answers Whilst not strictly all within Kent, (the Tunbridge wells circular walk hops across the border into East Sussex) it's a great walk. Crown copyright and database rights 2022. Continue along the countryside path towards the Church of St Peters-in-Thanet, where medieval priests also tread. Very quiet roads for the most part. This walk starts in Canterbury and takes walkers down to Hythe for those wanting to do the full 22 mile route. Read more. Walk 2 - Cathedral to Gardens (1 mile): 1 hour. Whilst not strictly all within Kent, (the Tunbridge wells circular walk hops across the border into East Sussex) it's a great walk. Hartfield & Created to bring joy to visitors and boost biodiversity at the same time, Hevers meadows are similarly polychromatic, focusing on pollinator-friendly species that bring long-lasting colour. Knole Historic Deer Park, at Sevenoaks, straddles the Greensand Way and is the perfect place for walkers of all ages to enjoy long views across the North Downs. This circular walk, on a chalk hillside above the glorious Darent Valley, takes in broadleaf woods, a grass escarpment edge with wildflowers and great views, and an ancient village with superb old cottages, pubs and a river path. The 160 miles, Discover ancient castles and historic villages and some of Kent's finest wildlife sites along the 28 mile Medway Valley Walk, which runs from Tonbridge to. The students were signalled into position until exactly the right shape was achieved then barrow loads of turf and soil could be dug out of the hill. Maintain direction towards the old Wye college buildings and enter a long, straight track that goes uphill to the downs. The two-and-a-half mile city walk takes in the city walls, originally built by the Romans, and the medieval centre with its ancient cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. The High Weald in Kent and Sussex has an amazing network of footpaths, bridleways and byways (2,395km!). Bull and Birches Woods. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Find New Walking Friends That's 10 - 12 miles or so and might still be a bit wet after the floods earlier this year. After two miles, walkers emerge from A circular pub walk from The Hare in Langton Green, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Experience some fantastic views along the high chalk cliffs at the edge of the North Downs which form part of the famous White Cliffs of Dover. Ightham Mote and Free example walks, See/ShowPassword The imposing towers of Reculver are the highlight of this walk - and the perfect picnic spot if you've packed lunch! Your 2.5 mile walk starts from Lympne, a village rich in history which boasts a grand castle. Very pleasant trail although very muddy in parts at this time. Dungeness comes from the old Norse meaning dangerous nose. Chartwell is Churchill's family home and garden, which is open to visitors. Follow the green public footpath sign to return back across the shingle to the old lighthouse. We have more than 4200 miles of countryside and coastal paths; creamy cliffs, rolling downland, mind-expanding marshes, sweeping beaches, sleepy villages, heritage-packed cities and towns - you can stroll to them all. And who knows, after a few pints there might be an actual ghost sighting as well! Peaks and Mountains http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_region.php?region_id=7. GPS Waypoints for Walking Head towards Britannia Inn, then follow the boardwalk over the spit. Answer 1 of 6: Hi, Can anyone suggest any 15-25 mile long circular walks in Kent? Self-guided circular walks. Walk Ideas and Collections Depending on your route choice, you might pass through the Kemsing Natural Reserve which is home to several species of rare orchid. Walk through the churchyard and on to High Street and St Peters Road, looking out for the Dickens mosaics. That Pegwell Bay, in Kent, was the site of a Roman invasion five decades before the birth of Jesus? Waymarking . Enjoy the 3 hour circular walk combining Chartwell, Kent and Surrey. The site of the Hare has been home to a pub since 1785, the present building dating back to 1901, and it is a beautiful spot in the centre of Langton Green. Drop south again to return to the tearoom and car park. Keston Ponds and Padmall Wood, 20. Only a couple of areas of steps and one steep hill otherwise the majority is fairly level. The trail takes its name from the six mile railway line which runs between the towns of Canterbury and Whitstable. Kent offers numerous scenic walks which can be enjoyed by everybody. It has slightly fewer rams roaming the streets than yesteryear and is now dominated by its 19th-century architecture (check out the Granville Hotel, St Augustines Church and others by Pugin) and its continuing fishing industry. Here's the link to our main Facebook page where we share our latest stories, including anything from breaking news to features, court coverage and much, much more. If youre after the pristine and pretty, then this isnt the walk for you. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The village of Wye grew on the banks of the Stour at a crossing point or ford and this area is still an important hub of the village today. Six easy-to-follow hand-crafted circular walks, routes & maps in Kent of all grades in Walk Grade Order, See these 6 walks in Kent on an interactive Google Map. Or attempt the160-mileSaxon Shore Wayarches from Gravesend to Hastings through some of Britains most compelling coastal landscapes. To contribute to go4awalk.com or to contact us about anything at all - see Talk To Us. We have more than 4200 miles of countryside and coastal paths; creamy cliffs, rolling downland, mind-expanding marshes, sweeping beaches, sleepy villages, heritage-packed cities and towns you can stroll to them all. This trail goes around Lullingstone and the Darent Valley Path and is packed with information about the many delights to be discovered along the way. For the answer, well need to travel back in time. Do you want to stay up to date with everything that's happening across the county with KentLive? Nevertheless, with its shipwrecks, forts and secret beach, this part of the Kent coast feels fantastically off the beaten track. Retrace your steps to the road, where abandoned railway carriages have been converted into homes. - Views of the #6 - Wye and the North Downs Circular Walk. When you want to get out but just need that bit of motivation or some company, there are plenty of walking groups in Kent to give you a good start. Their skeletons and shells compressed under the weight ofwater and of each other, formed chalk. We started our trip from the New Flying Horse Pub in the picturesque village of Wye. Ramsgate is, literally, the gateway to Thanet, the outcrop of upper chalk where the North Downs finally meet the North Sea. Gravity did the rest the sludgy mass of water, rock and soil particles flowed across the frozen ground beneath, carving out steep valleys in the soft chalk. Do not know if this is any good for you, here is a link from a walking club that I belong to. This historical circular walk links two National Trust places dating to medieval times, while also taking you through the ancient woodland of Scathes Wood and into Fairlawne Estate. The Kent section of the national trail begins at Ramsgate Harbour - it threads its way down past Deal, Dover, the White Cliffs of Dover, St Margaret's at Cliffe, Folkestone, Hythe, Greatstone, and Dungeness before ending up near the west end of Camber Sands where the River Rother meets the sea. These details will not be saved anywhere or used for any purpose other than sending this one-off email, Save Challenging Countryside Walks to favourites. Today the North and South Downs are all that remains of the chalk layer that once covered the whole area. Ideally a mix of path / road and off road? The medieval ruins of Thurnham Castle are also built on top of the downs. Shoreham Station From this highpoint of the North Downs there are exceptional views of the surrounding countryside, and beneath the grass is a late Bronze Age enclosure of approximately 3,000 years old. These are listed on the left and we hope to provide more information Discovering Britain is delivered by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Sissinghurst More spectacular from a distance than from directly above, these white rocks make the shape of the Wye Crown. With over 700 acres to explore, the National Trust property is a magnificent settings for long and short walks in every season. Just down the road from Knole Park is Ightam Mote. Walking in Kent Long Distance and Named Paths: Darent Valley Path Eden Valley Walk Elham Valley Way Greensand Way Harold's Way (1066) High Weald Landscape Trail Medway Valley Walk North Downs Way Royal Military Canal Path Saxon Shore Way Stour Valley Walk Thanet Coastal Path Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk Wantsum Walk Wealdway Turn left around the lower lake. Marconi worked here, developing radio waves - the first ship-to-shore message took place here. Look down and youll see were standing above bundles of white rock. Train from Tonbridge to Wateringbury and back. This walk takes visitors through the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For those with younger children, Jeskyns Country Park offers a glimpse into the fairy world. Starting at the old lighthouse, take time to climb the stairs to view Romney Marsh. Turn left along the top of the escarpment and stop by the commemorative stone above the Wye Crown. Local hops are still a key ingredient in brewing beer and with a recent upsurge in microbreweries using locally sourced ingredients, may hopefully become a feature of the environment once again. News Can you see a stream running through the garden? 3.77 mi +223 ft -200 ft 1h55 Easy. The route follows a stretch of the North Downs Way with outstanding views and passing the famous hillside chalk crown figure, before dropping down into the beautiful village of Wye, once featured in the BBC TV show, The Perfect Village, and voted as the third best place to live in the UK in a 2013 newspaper review. Nestled on the foot slopes of the Kent Downs above the fertile Stour valley, the varied soils here made a perfect outdoor classroom for a wide range of agricultural and horticultural studies. Penshurst - River Eden - Smarts Hill - River Medway - Penshurst. Continue along the Saxon Shore Way, looking out for gun emplacements and remnants of other wartime structures. This 0.5 mile walk through woodland park takes you across land that descended from a post-Ice Age forest and was one of the first National Nature Reserves designated in England. While its not perhaps a traditional chalk figure - like the Uffington White Horse or the Long Man of Wilmington - it represents an interesting way of using the landscape to tell a story. Stride out along 108 miles of the Greensand Way and discover some of the finest walking experiences in the South East. Starting point in Chiddingstone (Kent) This circular walk guides the keen wildlife watcher and enthusiast to some of the best local spots to see special species like the nightingale. There are numerous signed paths in the area but all were extremely boggy. A walk through the beautiful landscape of Knole Park, a short stroll from Sevenoaks town centre. At approximately 5 miles (8km) in length, today's circular route is considered to be quite strenuous, with a number of steep climbs throughout. trail it appears. Its been a destination for creatives like Dickens and Van Gogh for centuries, so lace up your boots and discover it for yourself. I belong to a group that uses a series of pub walk books--you park at the pub, do a circular walk, and end up there for lunch or dinner. This three-mile circular walk explores the ever-shifting longshore drift, where the sea is constantly reshaping the sand and shingle. Chevening & Turvin's Farm, 12. Product Reviews/Gear Tests Fast forward to just 60 million years ago, and in the same phase of mountain building that created The Alps, massive, thick layers of chalk rock werewere pushed up into a huge dome that covered most of south-east England. A quiet village with traditional Wealden architecture that is a good start and end point for a relaxed walk. Meopham walk - Explore Kent Meopham walk Walking Parking Toilets Suitable for dogs Route type circular Distance 4.7 mi 7.56 km Distance from train station 0.5 mi Gates 16 Powered by kentconnected.org The park, once the grounds of a great house, is managed by Gravesham Borough Council. 1,102 likes, 16 comments - Ryan Kent (@dr0p_the_hammer) on Instagram: "Ahh man. Youll also find Ramblers groups all across Kent, offering group guided walks. Hill Skills Upper Upton on the River Medway walking route and map. While youre here, look around the area above the crown. This walk takes you from the picturesque village of Wye in the valley of the River Stour, up onto the ridge of the North Downs. London may be a stones throw away, yet sometimes the only sound here is the river on the shore. Scotney Castle offers beautiful garden walks with flowers in bloom in the summer. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. For those really looking to get out there and explore Kent, its time to take on one of the long distance trails. Its a bleak landscape with a haunting beauty. The walk starts just outside Edenbridge passing through the centre of the village where walkers can admire its distinctive stone bridge. Along the way, you will be able to enjoy views from Rochester Bridge, and the towering remains of the Norman castle, before passing Rochester Cathedral. See more details & photos from this walk This three and a half hour walk takes you through Sandwich and the Quay, a 13th century harbour previously used for the export of wool. Of course, Kent's also home to the iconic North Downs Way. For help logging on, see Help > FAQs > Logging On. Turn right onto the road and stop at the first house on the right with a stream in the garden. When you reach a crossing road, bear left towards Wye village, the church and back to the start of the walk. Explore the abandoned fishing boats and shacks with their recycled gardens before taking the path in the direction of the house with the square tower. Between Kent Downs and High Weald, the county is blessed with stately homes and attractive historic settlements, including medieval Canterbury.In contrast, Dungeness offers a bleak and unsettling beauty as Britains only designated desert, while the iconic White Cliffs of Dover will surely blow the cobwebs away. Check out 10 wheelchair-friendly trails with helpful accessibility guidance. 7 of the Best Walks in Kent. From here, you can also appreciate the changes of the seasons and wildlife amid historic trees and grasslands. Alkham Biddenden (BBC) Bilsington (The White Horse) Bridge (Parish Council) Boxley (Parish Council) Chiddingly (The Gun) Cranbrook (Walk Through Time) Dartford (Borough Council) Deal (Deal Heritage) Walk: Circular Walk In Wye, Kent. Bitesize walking routes that are all well connected to public transport to ensure these routes are as enjoyable as they can be for your ideal day out exploring. Follow the Octavia Hill Centenary Trail West in Kent and experience the places that were part of the life and history of one of the National Trust's founders. Woolage Green and Nonington, 79. Langdon Cliffs Car Park - Dover - The Saxon Shore Way - Langdon Hole - Crab Bay - Fan Point - Bantam Hole - South Foreland Lighthouse - St Margaret's At Cliffe - Bere Wood - Bere Farm - Broadlees Farm - Broadlees Bottom - Langdon Cliffs Car Park - Dover. A working fishing boat on the beach at Dungeness (Shutterstock). You can also follow KentLive on Twitter here, as well as on our Instagram page where we share great pictures of Kent. Walking Gear Guides We've selected a few of our favourite walking routes to offer a little inspiration, so pull on your boots, tie your laces and get walking. Finish your walk at South Foreland Lighthouse. Rising up steeply from the flatland of the Kentish Weald, the North Downs offer a dramatic landscape in a relatively flat county. See Help > FAQs - Logging On for details on how to enable cookies in your browser. Past Iron Age hill forts, castles, nature reserves and along Kents ancient coastline. - Kentish ragstone Join the bridleway, passing vegetable plots and follow the waymarkers north-east, skirting Saw Lodge Wood, then east and south again to return to your starting point. http://khwp.org.uk/recreation/tunbridge-wells-circular-walk, http://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/, http://www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk/index.php?id_sec=83&id_sub=83. There are 770 acres of stunning woodland and parkland surrounding this picture-perfect castle near Lamberhurst for you to explore during this moderate two-mile walk. 1h 59m A circular walk from the pretty village of Boxley near Maidstone in Kent. Offering a chance to get out into the fresh air and enjoy a taste of the countryside. Hucking and North Downs Way, 94. These are now occupied by local businesses, as the agricultural college closed in 2009. From Emmetts Garden to Churchill's family home at Chartwell Autumn views south of the weald from the Kent Downs (Shutterstock) This five-mile walk near Sevenoaks links the Edwardian hillside gardens of Emmetts with Winston Churchill's family home at Chartwell. Built on the orders of Elizabeth I to defend Chatham Dockyard, this impressive fortress was also painted by JMW Turner. Chalk peeps from the soil beneath your boots and magnificent views frame the horizon on a route which echos the historic Pilgrims Way. The Kent coast has been England's front line for millennia, and as this straightforward 10-mile walk takes you over the cliff tops and beaches between Dover and Deal, its past unfolds, revealing a fear of attack that stretches from the Iron Age to the Second World War. Keen to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, the colleges principal came up with the brilliant idea of carving a crown into the hillside. Check out our page dedicated to Long Distance Walks in Kent. Photo Gallery Read more. Find out more information here for your little ones next adventure. Grid reference : TR 05415 46902. Camping It takes the walkerover the Weald, with vistas opening out to the surrounding countryside. One of England's so-called home counties, Kent shares its borders with Greater London as well as Surrey, East Sussex and Essex making it a popular spot for city dwellers and tourists to visit. The farmland of Bore Place extends almost to Bough Beech Reservoir where it meets the nature reserve. Round the gazebo to the right (built as a memorial to Nicolson) and follow the path through the gate down the hill towards the lake. Otford Circular. For those seeking a heritage trail from the Surrey Hills and through the Kent Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. if (x.type === 'password') { More information and shorter walk trails can be found here. Enjoy a picturesque circular walk from Ightham to Oldbury Hill, passing through an area of mixed woodland as well as fish ponds and an old quarry. The trail is perfect for beginners, as it is fully waymarked. A three hour dog friendly circular walk recommended by the National Trust starts from Chartwell and loops around to Emmets Garden. Those currently available are (see map below): 3. According to English Heritage, this was the site of one of the earliest Roman forts built against the Saxon raids.