Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Whitstable Crab And Winkle Way Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Whitstable Crab And Winkle Way Walking Route

We were staying in Swalecliffe for the weekend, just outside of Whitstable in Kent, and the plan for the first day was for me to pop out early doors and get a walk in before meeting the rest of the family in Whitstable for Oysters and chips later on. It was great to get my Scarpa walking boots back on again for this walk in Kent, with all the rain I was anticipating quite a muddy walk but it was fairly dry underfoot for most of the way. In fact, my boots came back cleaner than they went out! It was a glorious day, perfect for walking; clear blue skies and a slight breeze so I just kept to walking trousers and a short sleeve t-shirt, packing a fleece in my rucksack in case it got a little chilly later.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Whitstable Crab And Winkle Way Walking Route Map

I had been recommended the Crab and Winkle Way by a few friends at work as a good walking route as it’s known for being a really good Kent walk. I roughly plotted a route that would take me from Swalecliffe, straight up St John’s Road passed Chestfield and Swalecliffe Station, through Chestfield and up Chestfield Road where I was to join a footpath on my left hand side through a delightful residential area. I followed this small road all the way round to the right hand side crossing over a road and in to Chestfield Golf Club following the waymakers in a straight line all the way up through Shrub Hill and Radfall to the road where I walked left in to Thornden Wood keeping right until a crossing of paths where I then turned right following the track as it then went round to the left to join Thornden Wood Road.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Whitstable Crab And Winkle Way Walking Route – Thornden Wood

I turned right up Thornden Wood Road passing the car parks on either side of the road walking left in to the woods by the footpath sign post as the road bent to the right. I then followed this track, turning right at the junction of tracks in to an area called The Radfall where I continued my walk all the way along the same track until I reached the road at Tyler Hill. I then turned left and followed the track that ran parallel to the road all the up until I re-joined the road through a courtyard of wooden pleated houses and a small footpath. I then walked left up the road passing a pub on my right hand side turning right across the road through another footpath that walked around a small car park where I then crossed over the road and down a track by the footpath signposts through a gate and in to fields.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Whitstable Crab And Winkle Way Walking Route – Kent Countryside

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Whitstable Crab And Winkle Way Walking Route

I then walked straight ahead crossing a few fields to join the Crab and Winkle Way cycle route by Blean Church (which I incorrectly tweeted as being in Bean… oops!) I then turned right and followed the Crab and Winkle Way and Cycle Route 1 signposts and waymakers all the way back down to Whitstable Station. I crossed over the railway bridge and then straight down Cromwell Road to the harbour area where I waited by the lifeboat station for the rest of the family to arrive.

6 delicious Oysters and some delightful crinkle cuts chips later we meandered our way back along the Saxon Shore Way coast path to Swalecliffe with my walking route covering a good 15 miles and taking about 5 hours.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Whitstable Crab And Winkle Way Walking Route – Whitstable Irish Oysters

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Elham Valley Way Walking Route

Guest Post by Michael Smith, Editor of A Walk in the Garden seasonal Kent countryside magazine.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Elham Valley Way Walking Route

The Elham Valley way weaves through the heart of the Kent Downs. Starting from City of Canterbury and finishing 22 miles to the south in the picturesque coastal town of Hythe, following the course of the Elham Valley Railway.

In 1881, the Elham Valley Light Railway Company were granted permission to build a line from Folkestone to Canterbury, serving the villages of Lyminge, Elham, Barham, Bishopsbourne, and Bridge. In 1887 the Shornecliffe to Barham section was opened and was soon followed by the completion of the railway to Canterbury in 1889. The prominence of the Elham Valley line came when it was used as a diversionary route in 1915 after a landslip at Folkestone Warren blocked the mainline to and from Dover. Used in both World Wars for storage and a huge railway mounted gun that could fire shells over 12 miles, which was kept hidden in Bourne Park Tunnel. After being returned to public service in 1946, the railway could not compete commercially with the road transport and was closed in 1947. Three stations still exist today, Lyminge public library and two private residents Bishopsbourne and Bridge. A railway museum at Peene contains many artefacts of the railway’s past as well as a working model of the Elham Valley Railway.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Elham Valley Way Walking Route - EVW Heading to Elham

Starting by the Cathedral in Canterbury, the city streets soon give way to quieter suburban roads and then open countryside tracks that lead to small villages of Patrixbourne and Bridge. A short distance along the route from Bridge is the grand 2000 acre estate of Bourne Park, a famous guest being Mozart in 1765. Just past Bourne Park is the village of Bishopsbourne. This village was home of Richard Hooker, who in the 16th century played a signiciant role in the development of the Anglican Church. Bishopsbourne Paddock was a cricket ground for Bourne Park and staged many first class matches from 1766 to 1790.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Elham Valley Way Walking Route - EVW Patrixbourne

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Elham Valley Way Walking Route - EVW Covert Wood

Past the outskirts of Barham, the ancient woodland, Covert Wood provides an inspiring view across the valley before descending in to the tree lined country lane. Leaving the wood and heading downhill, the Elham Valley Way crosses over the busy country road and rises sharply again up the valley side. There are many opportunities for distant and panoramic views from the regular vantage points to Elham. Proudly holding the title of Kent Village of 2011, this idyllic village dates back as a settlement to the Neolithic age, with finds dating back over ten thousand years.

Heading south to through Lyminge and the Etchinghill Golf Course, the Elham Valley Way heads up Tolsford Hill which is one of the highest points in Kent, giving stunning views from Ashford to Rye across the Romney Marsh and out to the world’s busiest shipping lane, the English Channel. Back downhill, the descent is consistent to Peene along the actual route the trains would have taken. Across the M20 motorway, the Elham Valley Way leads to Dibgate Camp, an Army training facility, before crossing Sene Valley Golf Course. The final descent in to Hythe offers a final vista over the Romney Marsh before reaching Hythe.

For more information please visit:

Website: A Walk in the Garden

Twitter: @AWalkInTheGdn

Facebook: A Walk In The Garden

Walks And Walking – Latest Offers from SportPursuit Flash Sale Website

Walks And Walking – Latest Offers from SportPursuit Flash Sale Website

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