Walks And Walking – Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks

Walks And Walking – Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks

I always find that after miles of walking finding a beautiful church in a rural setting is like finding an oasis in the desert. Most of the walking routes I plan always seem to include a visit to a church and you’ll see from the majority of church walks that I have posted on this website that there are many photographs of churches and chapels.

So, if you like a good church walk as much as I do then here are some of the most tranquil ambling spots to visit as compiled by the Churches Conservation Trust (CTT). Pull up a pew and take sanctuary in an ancient historic church preserved by the CTT, and listen to the calming hum of nature pass you by…

Walks And Walking – Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks – St Stephens Coastal Walk North Yorkshire

St Stephen’s Coastal Walk – North Yorkshire

St Stephen’s has stood majestically upon Robin Hood’s Bay since 1821. Echoing its ocean views, the church is engulfed in nautical history with graves bestowing tragic tales of forlorn seamen lost at sea. Walk from St Stephens’s church to Robin Hood’s Bay and see the stunning coastal views which are great for families wanting to combine culture and entertainment.

Expect to see: Breath-taking coastal and seaside views
Walking Distance: 1.2 miles, 26 minutes
Walk Suitable for: Families
St Stephen’s Church Walks – Fylingdales, North Yorkshire, YO22 4PN

Walks And Walking – Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks – St Michaels Historical Countryside Walk Shropshire

St Michael’s Historical Countryside Walk – Shropshire

This hidden gem sits in a quiet, idyllic valley west of Bridgnorth. With its stone walls and moss-covered roof this Norman church looks as much a part of the landscape as the trees that surround it. St Michael’s Church is located on an Elizabethan estate and is less than half a mile away from Upton Cressett Hall and Gardens, one of Britain’s most exquisite Tudor Houses. This walk is perfect for heritage enthusiasts and picnics.

Expect to see: Charming village scenes in a traditional countryside setting
Walking distance: 0.5 miles, 15 minutes from St Michael’s to Upton Cressett Hall and Gardens
Walk suitable for: Romantic amblers
St Michael’s Church Walks – Upton Cressett, Shropshire, WV16 6UH

Walks And Walking – Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks – St Michaels and St Martins Riverside Meander Gloucestershire

St Michael’s & St Martin’s Riverside Meander – Gloucestershire

This picture postcard medieval church is nestled on the edge of the river Leach. Perfect for a leisurely walk along the banks of the meandering river to Horseshoe Lake, St Michael’s & St Martin’s is just a stone’s throw from its sister church at Eastleach Turville on the opposite bank.

Expect to see: Idyllic scenery that inspired poet John Keble
Walking distance: 3.9 Miles, 1 hour 18 minutes
Walk suitable for: More ambitious walkers
St Martin’s & St Michael’s Church Walks – Eastleach Martin, Gloucestershire, GL7

Walks And Walking – Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks – St Andrews Hilltop to Reservoir Walk Northumberland

St Andrew’s Hilltop to Reservoir Walk – Northumberland

Perched on Grey Mare Hill, keen hikers and photographers alike will appreciate the ambitious 289m climb to reach St Andrew’s, Shotley, and its rewarding breath-taking views.

Expect to see: Awe-inspiring panoramic views
Walking distance: 3.4 miles, 1 hour 11 minutes
Walk suitable for: Hikers
St Andrew’s Church Walks – Shotley, Northumberland, DH8 9SJ

Walks And Walking – Churches Conservation Trust Top 10 Church Walks – All Saints Bluebell Woodlands Walk Oxfordshire

All Saints’ Bluebell Woodlands Walk – Oxfordshire

All Saints’ Church, Nuneham Courtney is a jewel in the heart of the Nuneham Park House grounds. Overlooking the Thames, the 1760s church is a monument to wealth and taste, with dazzling Italian fittings, magnificent memorial sculptures and busts. Just a 30 minute walk away is Bluebell Wood, an enchanted forest filled with springtime flowers.

Expect to see: A carpet of bluebells and wildflower meadows in late April and May
Walking distance: 1.6 miles, 32 minutes from All Saints’ to Bluebell Wood
Walk suitable for: Families
All Saints’ Church Walks – Nuneham Courtenay, Oxfordshire, OX44 9PQ

St Mary’s Norman Town Walk – Kent

Dating back as far as the Saxon era, St Mary’s, Higham, is steeped in history from Norman influences to Benedictine nuns. The church is only four miles from the centre of Rochester for visitors wishing to combine country and town visits with a pleasant Kent walk across the marshlands. Continue the Norman theme and stop by the impressive fortress of Rochester Castle.

Expect to see: Ancient Norman ruins along your way.
Walking distance: 4.6 Miles, 1 hour 33 minutes – St Mary’s Church to Rochester Castle
Suitable for: Active walkers
St Mary’s Church Walks – Higham, Rochester, Kent, ME3 7LS

St Mary’s Nature Walk – Hampshire

This dazzling and colourful Victorian jewel of a church overwhelms the senses. A truly exhilarating building, tall and imposing, St Mary’s, Itchen Stoke was inspired by the soaring elegance of 13th-century Sainte Chapelle in Paris, chapel of French kings. Walk alongside the exquisite Alresford sluices to nearby Old Alresford Pond, a medieval oasis well worth investigating in this gorgeous Hampshire walk.

Expect to see: Otters and wildfowl
Walking Distance: 2.2 Miles, 43 Minutes
Suitable for: Families
St Mary’s Church Walks – Itchen Stoke, Hampshire, SO24 0QU

St Mary’s Rural Walk – Somerset

If legend is to be believed, St Mary’s, Stocklinch Ottersey, and close by St Magdalene’s were built by two sisters vying for the affections of their local vicar. St Mary’s stands on an old water source, one of Somerset’s many healing wells, and is an hour’s stroll away from Barrington Court, a National Trust Tudor House with stunning grounds and a fascinating past making it a Somerset walk to remember.

Expect to see: Wonderful tombs and monuments
Walking distance: 2.3 Miles, 48 Minutes
Suitable for: Families
St Mary’s Church Walks – Stocklinch Ottersey, Somerset, TA19 9JN

St Mary’s Stately Walk – Hampshire

This prairie church is said to be all that remains of the Norman Gains Castle. Take in Mottisfont Estate, a glorious National Trust property and gallery set in beautiful riverside gardens, the village of King’s Sorbonne and stately Compton Park.

Expect to see: Countryside vistas that inspired Jane Austen
Walking distance: 6.1 miles, 2 hours
Suitable for: Active walkers
St Mary’s Church Walks – Ashley, Kings Somborne, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 6RJ

St Peter’s Classic Cambridge Walk – Cambridge

Ideally located for a day out in Cambridge, this simple building is a haven of tranquillity from the busy streets around it. Walk the outskirts of the city and take in all that Cambridge has to offer from stunning views of the river to the historic university buildings.

Expect to see: Coe Fen meadowland and River Cam
Walking distance: 2.5 miles, 50 minutes
Suitable for: Families and sightseers
St Peter’s Church Walks – Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AJ

About the Churches Conservation Trust

Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) is the national charity protecting historic churches at risk. The charity has saved over 340 beautiful buildings which attract almost 2 million visitors a year.

Established under Ecclesiastical Law on 1 April 1969 the charity receives its churches in the form of ‘vesting’s’ from the Church Commissioners. All CCT’s churches remain consecrated and are often used for occasional worship.

CCT works with local people to bring historic churches back into the heart of the community and use as a social, tourism, educational or cultural resource. CCT’s care of Grade I and II buildings has given it an international reputation in heritage conservation and regeneration.

Chairman of the Trust is Loyd Grossman OBE FSA, who was appointed in 2007. Crispin Truman is Chief Executive.

You can follow CCT on twitter here and the official website is here.

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 Folkestone White Horse Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Folkestone White Horse Walking Route

After a great nights sleep at the Southcliffe Hotel I awoke to torrential rain and the screech of seagulls. However, after breakfast the weather cleared and it actually turned out to be a rather glorious day for a walk in Kent. I sketched out a 10 mile walking route from Folkestone heading straight up to the North Downs joining a circular walk around the downs and back through Folkestone to get the train back to London.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Folkestone White Horse Walking Route Map

From the hotel I walked right along The Leas turning right up Clifton Road where I then turned left along Sandgate Road past the Holy Trinity Church walking right up Earls Avenue turning left at the footpath on the bend of William Avenue around Cheriton Road Sports Ground following it left and then right in to Fairway Avenue walking right up Cherry Garden Avenue. I followed The Countryside signposts that read Follow The Kestrel To The Downs crossing over the A20 and M20 walking left to then follow the edge of the Eurotunnel railway tracks and fencing by the open gate and stile.

I walked along this track until it’s end where I then walked through the gate to continue my walk by the side of Ashford Road and underneath the railway lines and A20 emerging the other side where I turned right by the footpath signpost for the Elham Valley Way. I then walked left at the next Elham Valley Way signpost to join School Lane walking right up Newington Road turning right through the gate signposted the Elham Valley Way to walk up parallel to the road turning right to follow the pathway all the way until a gate and stile in to the “corridors to the countryside”. I know it’s only a gate but I thought this really signified a traditional Great British landscape of lush green countryside, no wonder they call it the Garden of England!

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Folkestone White Horse Walking Route – Garden Of England

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Folkestone White Horse Walking Route – Looking to the Folkestone White Horse

I walked through the gate and cut across the field to find a stile to Hill Lane walking right to Danton Lane all the way to a Crete Road West where I caught my first glimpse of the White Horse. Now I really had the sense of being in the Kent countryside and looked forward to the rest of the walk with anticipation. I continued along the road until I found a right hand turn in to the North Downs Way turning left and then crossing above the White Horse where I then looked back to see it. At the end of Crete Road West I walked right in to Castle Hill following the North Downs Way Folkestone (A260) 1 Mile signpost walking left around Castle Hill, Caesar’s Camp Ring and Baileys, which offered great 360 degree views over Folkestone and Kent.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Folkestone White Horse Walking Route – Folkestone White Horse

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Folkestone White Horse Walking Route – Caesar’s Camp

I continued my walk back up to rejoin Crete Road West where I spotted a track before the road on my right hand side heading down the side of Sugarloaf Hill. I then followed the steps all the way down following the main track to a gate where I walked right and then straight across to Churchill Avenue where I walked right before turning left down a track behind the buildings of an industrial area. I then checked the trains times to see there was a London train in 36 minutes, I checked my distance to the train station and it said the station was 30 minutes away. I upped my pace turning left on to Park Farm Road following it round to the right all the way down to join Radnor Park Road where I climbed uphill to the roundabout by the entrance of Folkestone Central Railway Station with 10 minutes to spare! This walk covered 10 miles taking me 3.5 hours, it’s a great walk and I really look forward to more walks in Kent.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Dover To Folkestone Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Dover To Folkestone Walking Route

I have been working in Sandgate, Folkestone, for the last few months and have been itching to get out for a walk in the area. Every day my train enters the Garden of England and as I look up at the North Downs I can hear them calling me! This weekend I decided to leave work on Friday and get the train to Dover Priory, then walk back to Folkestone along the coastal path. On Saturday I plotted out a 10 mile walk to visit the White Horse Folkestone and Caesar’s Camp up on the North Downs, which I’ll post as my next walking route.

As I had plenty of time I had a bit of a meandaer at the beginning of this Kent walk trying to find some good views of the Kent coast but you can just get straight in to the coastal path by heading down to the cliffs, turn right and then keep walking until you reach the Martello Towers at Folkestone.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Dover To Folkestone Walking Route Map

My walk started at Dover Priory Railway Station where I exited to the main road turning right and crossing the road up to turn left in to Clarendon Road where I walked up taking a left up the lane to a pathway that climbed up to North Military Road over to a gate where I continued to climb up through woodlands to the top of the hill. I then walked right along the track to rejoin North Military Road where I walked left up the road to the next set of signposts taking me left in to more woodland and an area known as Western Heights, with a fairly decent view of Dover Castle and docks.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Dover to Folkestone Walking Route – Looking Back To Dover

I then turned right down steps following the path as I continued my walk turning right uphill in to the woodland turning right to then rejoin North Military Road again through a small car park. It was here that I just missed my next pathway so after a short walk down the road I turned back up North Miltary Road to the signpost by the Dover Immigration Removal Centre where I joined the North Downs Way signposts.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Dover to Folkestone Walking Route – The North Downs Way Capel Le Ferne

Keeping to the North Downs Way signposts I then continued my walk until I turned left to briefly join Kings Rope Walk keeping ahead to cross over the A20 using the underpass to the next signpost for the North Downs Way Capel le Ferne.

I then climbed up to Shakespeare Cliff following this pathway across Samphire Hoe through The National Trust Round Down to Abbot’s Cliff following the signposts for the North Downs Way until I reached the white house. The lane was leading me down to the road so I thought I’d walk around the house to try and join a path on the cliffs but I couldn’t get down there so I walked back down to the B2011 road and turned left. With the caravan park on my right hand side I then walked down a path to a stile and back to the coastal path around another caravan park and views down the cliffs to the sea.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Dover To Folkestone Walking Route – Cliffs Near Folkestone

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Dover to Folkestone Walking Route – Martello Towers Folkestone

Continuing to follow the North Downs Way I then joined Old Dover Road to the Cliff Top Cafe and after a while walked right and then left along the pathway to the Battle of Britain Memorial where I had a quick look around before continuing my walk along the North Downs Way to Capel le Ferne where I eventually turned right to join Dover Hill by the Valiant Sailor pub. I then left the North Downs Way to walk down the hill turning left at the next track in to woodlands which lead me to Dover Road where I walked left down to Harbour Way and Radnor Bridge Road where I then walked down to the beach turning right along the Marine Parade passing the Cliff Lift to the Lower Leas Coastal Park. I then walked back up the zig-zag path to the road where I then walked right to find my bed for the evening, The Southcliffe Hotel, after an exhausting 10 miles and 3.5 hours.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Dover to Folkestone Walking Route – Southcliffe Hotel Folkestone

Walks And Walking – East Sussex Walks 1066 Country Walk Walking Route

Walks And Walking – East Sussex  Walks – 1066 Country Walk Walking Route.

We were staying in Combe Haven near St Leonards in East Sussex and, as always, I had just about negotiated a walk whilst we were down there. Perhaps the most famous East Sussex walking route is the 1066 Country Walk which starts in Pevensey and ends in Rye. The total distance is 30 miles of long distance path so I decided to break it down in to two walking routes; Pevensey to Battle then Battle to Rye, making it roughly 15 miles each walk.

Walks And Walking – East Sussex Walks – Kent Walks – 1066 Country Walk – Walking Route

For the first stage of this 1066 Country Walk walking route I got a lift from Combe Haven to St Leonards Warrior Square railway station and then got the train to Pevensey Westham railway station. This was my first walking route without a paper OS map and I was at the mercy of ViewRanger following the route purely on my Samsung Galaxy Smartphone. Fortunately this stage of the walk is extremely easy to navigate with plenty of 1066 Country Walk signposts for me to follow so I was only really using ViewRanger to see what was coming up next on the walking route.

Walks And Walking – East Sussex Walks – Kent Walks – 1066 Country Walk – Walking Route – ViewRanger on my Samsung Galaxy Smartphone

With this walking route being so easy my mind quickly wandered in to the psychology of walking and what I do to keep me moving, plan and pace out a walk whilst I am doing it. The weather was miserable, really low dense cloud with a really humid feel. Within a short while I was sweating and only had a long sleeve t-shirt on and my The North Face Apex Elixir Jacket on despite the recent spate of cold and rainy weather.

I found the first two hours a real struggle whereas normally the first hour is settling in to the walking route and the second hour is finding my pace. After two hours I normally hit a bit of a wall, especially if the walking route turns out to be a bit dull, and then after that I stop noticing the time until I get to 5 hours when I start to tire and then by six hours I am seriously wilting. However, if it is a really good walk I hardly ever notice the time and just thrive in enjoying the landscape, fresh air and views.

Walks And Walking – East Sussex Walks – Kent Walks – 1066 Country Walk – Walking Route – Rape Fields

For the second stage of this walking route I got a lift to Battle, restarting the walk where I left off, walking to Rye where I got the train back to St Leonards Warrior Square and a lift back to Combe Haven. The weather was mainly drizzle before really heavy rain set in midway during the walk and after getting my walking trousers trashed with mud on the first stage I decided on gaiters for this stage of the 1066 Country Walk.

With the weather being so drab I was only cheered by the lambs bounding around the fields and on the riverbanks with the omnipresent bluebells. With the weather being so wet I was also keen to find out just how waterproof my new Scarpa walking boots were going to be without the reassurance of being Gore-tex lined. Over each day I splashed around through sodden hills, flooded fields, thick saturated grass and drenched rape fields and they came out with flying colours maintaining their water resistance and being dry inside.

The 1066 Country Walk is too long to do a detailed step by step walking route so I have expanded the ViewRanger maps and have sketched out the general directions.

Stage One – Pevensey To Battle – 17 Miles – 5 Hours 45 Minutes

From Pevensey and Westham railway station walk right and then walk right up the High Street B2191 walking left before the church to a footpath crossing the A27 walking left at the river to Rickney crossing over Rickney Lane following the river walking left to a lane and then crossing Maskelhye Road walking right down Wartling Road. Walk left along the edge of Wartling Wood walking right on to the road walking left at the junction of Boreham Lane walking right on the A271 Boreham Street walking left along Boreham Hill to the footpath signpost crossing the stream walking left to the lane at Pain’s Wood walking right along Henley’s Hill. Walk left then right to Ponts Green crossing over and walking right to Peens Wood to the A271 between Cowland Wood crossing down the lane to The Green B2204 walking left to Castlefield Road walking right through Hoathybank Wood to Upper Lake Road A2100 and Battle Abbey and Battlefields car park and the midway signpost for the 1066 Country Walk at Battle.

Walks And Walking – East Sussex Walks 1066 Country Walk Walking Route Map 1

Stage Two – Battle To Rye – 16 Miles – 5 Hours 50 Minutes

From Battle village outside Battle Abbey and Battlefields on the 1066 Country Walk turn right walking down Lower lake A2100 walking right on to Marley Lane walking right through Great Wood crossing over Kent Street walking left and then right crossing Wheel Lane through Horseman’s Wood. At Cottage Lane cross the main road A28 walking left to Fourteen Acre Lane walking left to North Lane and then left and right to Broad Street walking left and then right through Icklesham crossing the A259 walking left on Workhouse Lane to Wickham Rock Lane to Winchelsea. Walk left to Monk’s Walk on to Hiham Green walking left to Robert’s Hill crossing over the footbridge and then walking right, right again and then left to Station Road and Winchelsea Lane walking right at Dumb Woman’s Lane keeping straight ahead to Udimore Road and the Windmill at Rye.

All of the photographs from this 1066 Country Walk walking route are on the Walks And Walking Google+ page and you can see them here 1066 Country Walk Photographs

Walks And Walking – East Sussex Walks 1066 Country Walk Walking Route Map 2

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Sturry To Sandwich Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Sturry To Sandwich Walking Route

My second Kent walk over our Easter stay in Broadstairs could not have been any more different to the Herne Bay walking route from the previous day. The skies were clear blue, there was a lovely crisp breeze and it was a beautifully warm day. I took the train from Broadstairs to Sturry, which only took 38 minutes, where I had planned to start the walk I had plotted out on my map. From Sturry the general idea was to follow the Stour Valley Walk along the River Stour and then a section of the Saxon Shore Way to discover Richborough Castle Roman Fort ending the walk at the very picturesque town of Sandwich covering about 17 miles and taking me about 6 hours.

As the ground was so dry and the route was fairly flat I decided to stick with the Salomon walking boots starting the walk off wearing a lightweight walking jacket with my waterproof jacket in my rucksack just in case. After an hour of walking the lightweight walking jacket became too hot so I put that in my rucksack too and it was lovely walking along the River Stour in just a t-shirt enjoying the fantastic weather. For the rest of Easter the weather was awful so I was lucky to get a good day to complete my longest walking route.

Walks And Walking - Kent Walks Sturry To Sandwich Walking Route Map

From Sturry Railway Station I turned right down towards the village turning left at the signpost for Fordwich and the Town Hall turning left as Fordwich Road went left to King Street to join the Stour Valley Walk through Fordwich, which is Britain’s smallest town. I then walked right at the Fordwich Arms and left in to School Lane following this track all the way to Higham Farm through Trenleypark Wood and the Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve (NNR) following the yellow Stour Valley Walk waymarkers.

At the end of the Trenleypark Wood I climbed quickly uphill to a stile across fields following the Stour Valley Walk waymarkers with great views of Stodmarsh Valley on my left hand side where I then kept left on to Stodmarsh Road turning left at the next Stour Valley Walk signpost over a stile and keeping right along the gorse lined embankments to rejoin the road at the end of the field in to Stodmarsh. I then walked left after the Red Lion pub at the next Stour Valley Walk signpost to the entrance to the Stodmarsh NNR car park keeping to the left hand track by the Stour Valley Walk waymarker following the track as it went right continuing to follow the Stour Valley Walk waymarkers eventually leaving Stodmarsh NNR at Grove Ferry Inn.

Walks And Walking - Kent Walks Sturry To Sandwich Walking Route - Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve

I then walked right at the next Stour Valley Walk signpost turning left at the Public Footpath signpost by the metal gate turning right following the Stour valley Walk waymarker then left at the next Stour Valley Walk waymarker between fields following all the Stour valley Walk waymarkers to then cross the footbridge on the right signposted to the Historic Church in Stourmouth. I kept straight ahead over the footbridge to a wooden gate and the next Stour Valley Walk waymarker turning left on to Church Lane and then turning right in to the Stourmouth Historic Church continuing to follow the Stour Valley Walk waymarkers.

Walks And Walking - Kent Walks Sturry To Sandwich Walking Route - Stourmouth Historic Church

At the farm I turned left at the Stour valley Walk signpost following the road where I then turned left at the t-junction where I then left the Stour Valley Walk and headed up to Plucks Gutter turning right at the Public Footpath signpost just before the Dog and Duck pub through a metal gate to the Pumping Station keeping straight ahead keeping to the left to join the track close to the edge of the River Stour to now join the Saxon Shore Way. This was an enjoyable and relaxing stroll following the River Stour as it meanders through Kent passing Redmarsh Moorings where I saw some canoeists on the river.

Walks And Walking - Kent Walks Sturry To Sandwich Walking Route - River Stour

Walks And Walking - Kent Walks Sturry To Sandwich Walking Route - River Stour Canoeists

I then walked underneath the railway bridge with the wind turbine on my left hand side continuing to follow the River Stour passed an old building and in to some trees before entering the woodland at Richborough Castle Roman Fort. I then crossed the stiles and railway tracks up to the Fort for some pictures.

Walks And Walking - Kent Walks Sturry To Sandwich Walking Route - Richborough Castle Roman Fort

I then doubled back on myself to rejoin the Saxon Shore Way by the River Stour passing some moorings to continue following the Saxon Shore Way and rejoining the Stour Valley Walk signpost turning left at the road, then left and then right crossing the road to Butts Lane walking by the river bank by the cricket pitch, which was extremely picturesque and a great place to watch a match, crossing over the next road to Rope Walk with the river now on my right hand side. I then walked right at the road passing the petrol station turning left in to St George’s Road and then right to Sandwich Railway Station catching a train back to Broadstairs.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Herne Bay To Margate Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks Herne Bay To Margate Walking Route

We were staying in Broadstairs over Easter and planned a family trip to Herne Bay to try out some highly recommended Fish and Chips at Dean’s Plaice. Whilst the food was excellent we all thought £8.45 for Haddock and Chips was a bit too steep, bearing in mind you can get it at the award winning Pete’s Fish Factory in Margate for £4.95. Fish aside, Herne Bay was the start of my walking route back to Margate and as they went off in search of tea and cakes I went off in search of the Reculver Towers and Roman Fort.

It was a blustery day and the wind was blowing in my face for the whole 12 miles back to Margate. Coupled with mainly walking along sea walls it wasn’t the most exciting walk for long stretches but Reculver Towers and the Roman Fort more than compensated for a slightly dull walking route. In better weather I think this walk would have been completely different with the sun beating down on your face and a lovely sea breeze keeping you cool. I chose my Salomon Cosmic 4D GTX walking boots as I knew there was a lot of road and sea walls making it unnecessary to wear my favoured Scarpa walking boots. The Salomons are far more comfortable on these types of flat, dry walks. I also had to wear my Bear Grylls Gore-tex walking jacket which normally lives in my rucksack but needed something windproof for today as it was also freezing cold.

Walks And Walking - Kent Walks Herne Bay To Margate Walking Route - Oyster Bay Trail To Reculver

Walks And Walking - Kent Walks Herne Bay To Margate Walking Route - Reculver Towers and Roman Fort View From Herne Bay

From the memorial outside Dean’s Plaice I turned right and walked along the sea wall with Reculver in view ahead following the Oyster Bay Trail signposts to Reculver forking right at Bishopstone up the wide lane to the Oyster Bay Trail To Reculver and the Saxon Shore Way signposts. I then turned left at the next Oyster Bay Trail signpost in to Reculver Country Park continuing to follow the Oyster Bay Trail waymarkers to Reculver keeping straight ahead on to Haven Drive turning left at the bend following the Reculver Country Park signpost across the picnic area turning left at the Oyster Bay Trail signpost. I continued my walk following the Oyster Bay Trail as it opened up in to stunning views of the Kent countryside on my right hand side with Reculver Towers ahead of me.

Walks And Walking - Kent Walks Herne Bay To Margate Walking Route - The Front of Reculver Towers and Roman Fort

Walks And Walking - Kent Walks Herne Bay To Margate Walking Route - Behind Reculver Towers and Roman Fort

At Reculver Towers and Roman Fort I followed the Viking Coast Trail Roman Fort Wall signpost in front of the King Ethelbert Inn walking with the Roman Fort Walls on my left hand side to behind Reculver Towers to the Roman Fort Wall East gate signpost where I then joined the Wantsum Walk along the Northern Sea Wall to Minnis Bay.

I then walked passed the Victorian Bathing Pool on my left hand side up the parade and turned left at the signpost to Grenham Bay turning right to walk along the sea wall underneath the chalk cliffs following the Viking Coast Trail signposted to Margate climbing up the steps at the end of the sea wall at Epple Bay. I then walked left to Westgate-On-Sea keeping left back on to the sea wall at the next Viking Coast Trail signpost to Margate where I then found a black metal signpost which marks the 1000th mile post of the national Cycle network. I continued to follow the direction of this signpost along the Viking Coast Trail signpost to Westbrook Bay and another Victorian Bathing Pool on my left hand side as I reached Margate turning right at the statue before the roundabout to Margate Train Station and a good 12 miles and 3 hours and 45 minutes later.

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks – Margate Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Kent Walks – Margate Walking Route

We were staying in Broadstairs for a long weekend so decided to walk to Margate one day. We waited until the tide went out so that we could walk along the beach from Viking Bay in Broadstairs to Joss Bay and enjoy the interesting geology of the white chalk cliffs and the flint nodules that scatter the beach like dinosaur bones.

Standard walking clothes for today; walking trousers, walking boots, t-shirt and a waterproof jacket in my rucksack.

From our apartment we walked down to the gardens to see the Victorian Bathing Pool that is revealed at low tide. We continued along the pathway to pass the many bars, pubs and restaurants to where the path narrows passed the amusements and gift shops to the bright blue and well signposted Viking Coastal Trail where we turned right and headed downhill towards the beach and Bleak House.

This walk is more commonly known as the Thanet Coastal Path but it looks as though the Viking Coastal Trail is a more recent addition as a well maintained cycle route. If the tide is in then you just follow the Viking Coastal Trail by turning left uphill and then right and continue to follow the signposts until you get to Joss Bay.

Walking along the sea wall until it came to an end we walked on to the sand and seaweed strewn coastline just passed the pathway up to the road cut in to the cliff face. Along this stretch of cliff there are many supports, secret doorways, tunnels and bricked up entrances that lead in to the cliff face. It might just be me but I thought that nodule of flint sticking out of the chalk cliff looked like a screaming mans face.

Margate Walking Route the cliffs between Broadstairs and Joss Bay

Maybe the spirit of a pirate smuggler embedded in to the cliff for all eternity as penance for all of his sins… or not.

Continuing along the beach walk we entered Joss Bay, a delightful beach area and a hidden treasure (He says continuing with the pirate theme). Joss Bay gets its name from Joss Snelling, the notorious local smuggler, who was born in 1741. He lived to 96 and in his time was once introduced to Princess Victoria in 1829 as “The Famous Broadstairs Smuggler”.

We then walked up the pathway to join the road at the Viking Coastal Trail sign and in full view of the North Foreland Lighthouse behind us on the left. We turned right to follow the Viking Coastal Trail signposts on the Thanet Coastal Path and after a while we then got a great view of the Kingsgate Castle by the sign for Kingsgate Bay which was built in 1760 and is now made up of privately owned residential housing.

We then passed the Captain Digby pub which actually fits in really well with the general ambience and architecture of the area. The pathway follows the edge of the car park and then alongside the golf course with the flint tower fort then coming in to view. As we made our way up we found a pathway to our right hand side whereby you can walk between the cliff edges down to the beach which, for me, made the best photograph of the day.

Margate Walking Route Tower Fort at White Ness

The tower is at the tip of White Ness on fort hill, just outside of Botany Bay and the gateway to Margate, England’s earliest seaside resort. Botany Bay is another beauty spot which leads on to Foreness Point. A Foreness is a geological term for when sand dunes form on top of the cliff which is then covered by soil and plant life to form an interesting seam in the cliffs. Well, I think that’s what the description is but vandals had scratched some of the words out so it’s only a (poorly) educated guess that’s what it actually means.

Palm Bay is the next bay on the trail and as we walked closer and closer to the sign Mary made a joke by saying “I really want a cup of tea, if only there was a cafe nearby” which made me laugh for a good few minutes. Check out the link to the  photographs at the bottom of this article!

As we settled ourselves after such hilarity we then followed the trail to Walpole Bay and the much larger Victorian Bathing Pool set in to Walpole Rocks. We then entered Margate with the Lido sign was in full view but the bathing pool below was in a dire state of repair. We then walked by the Winter Gardens, passing the Lifeboat Station and the Turner Gallery until we found Peters Fish Factory.

We stopped here for some fantastic fish and chips before heading back to follow all of the Viking Coastal Trail signposts all the way back to Broadstairs which took us a total of 4 hours and 13 miles for the whole walk.

To view all 22 of the photographs from this walk please click here: Margate Walking Route

Ordnance Survey Maps – Create Your Own Unique Walking Routes

Ordnance Survey Maps – Create Your Own Unique Walking Routes

For all of the latest offers please visit the Walks And Walking Shop

If, like me, you want to create your own unique walking routes without forking out on expensive GPS gadgets then buying new Ordnance Survey Maps for the area you want to cover is still the most popular choice. Personally, I really enjoy spreading a large map out on the floor and plotting each twist and turn to cover as many of the sites of historical importance of viewpoints of our Great British countryside.

I’m sure I will succumb to a Personal Navigation GPS System eventually when my pocket allows but I’ve already got it on my smart phone for free and using other free online tools like Google Maps can still do part of the job and there are plenty of websites like this one that offer inspiring walking routes available to print for free.

When I used to print off walking routes from other websites I always used to get lost so I soon started buying the corresponding Ordnance Survey map for each area. Having an Ordnance Survey with you whilst walking means you can also stray off the walking route to find even more unexplored treasures… and then get back on track without getting even more lost!

Types of Ordnance Survey Maps

The two main Ordnance Survey Maps are the OS Explorer Map series and the OS Landranger Map series, with the OS Landranger Map series also coming with an Active Maps series and with the main differences being scale and detail.

1. OS Explorer Map Series

The OS Explorer Map Series is 4cm to 1km (2½ inches to 1 mile) scale and is the main stay used by many individuals and organisations involved in outdoor activities. It is the preferred choice for walkers, hikers, trekkers, climbers, mountain bikers, cyclists, horse riders and even water sports enthusiasts.

Every part of England, Scotland and Wales is covered by 403 maps that include National Trails, Recreational Paths, picnic areas, viewpoints and selected places of interest. In addition, there’s Rights of Way information for England and Wales.

2. OS Landranger Map Series

The OS Landranger Map Series is perfect for day trips and short breaks covering the whole of Great Britain with 204 detailed maps. Each map provides all the information you need to get to know the local area and main tracks and pathways etc.

More suitable for tourism there is still a good level of detail including places of interest, tourist information, picnic areas and camping sites, plus Rights of Way information for England and Wales.

3. OS Landranger Active Map Series

The OS Landranger Active Maps are tough, durable and weatherproof. They have exactly the same features as the more widely recognised OS Landranger series but with the addition of a lightweight protective plastic coating making them perfect for the UK’s interchangeable and often rainy or drizzly weather conditions.

These encapsulated maps will resist inclement weather and can be written on with washable ink, making it easy to highlight your favourite routes and then wipe them off when you return home.

And for those of you that are keen to experience a whole new world of online maps with Ordnance Survey Leisure’s getamap you can get an annual subscription.

NEW from Ordnance Survey –

Customise your map in just three easy steps

We now offer a brand new mapping service that gives you the opportunity to customise an OS Explorer Map or OS Landranger Map.

You might want to centre it on your house, the start of your favourite walk or even a mountain bike trail you’re heading off to at the weekend – anywhere in Great Britain!

Features:

Custom printed by OS just for you
Choose your maps centre anywhere in the country
Add your own titles, including the spine title
Order the map flat or folded
Choose from over 50 cover images
Tough and durable map paper
Fixed laminated cover on folded maps
Your custom made map from Ordnance Survey is made to the same high quality as a standard OS Explorer Map and OS Landranger Map.

You can benefit from a bespoke map displaying the area around your chosen location, and opt for an OS Explorer Map – Custom Made™ at 1:25,000 scale, or an OS Landranger Map – Custom Made™ at 1:50,000 scale. After all, it’s your adventure!

Walks and Walking – Walking from Broadstairs to Ramsgate

Walks and Walking: Walking from Broadstairs to Ramsgate, 2 Miles Easy Walking in Kent.

This isn’t the most wildly exciting of Kent walks, especially as it is also my first blog post, but it is a walk nonetheless! It is however, a very windy walk, so whilst you can keep your walking boots at home for this one, I recommend a windproof jacket…. and shield your eyes from the sand that blows in your face!! That’s the natural variety of walking in the UK.

It is a very simple coastal walk along the sea wall from Broadstairs, through the King George VI Memorial Park and then along the sea wall to Ramsgate so you really don’t need any sort of map for this walk.

Broadstairs is a coastal town on the Isle of Thanet, East Kent, and is situated between Margate and Ramsgate. The town’s crest motto is “Stella Maris” which means “Star of the Sea”. The name, which coincidentally was the name of a house I lived in on the Isle of Wight (small world), was derived from a former flight of chalk steps in the chalk cliff, which led from the sands up to the 11^th Century shrine of St Mary on the cliff top.

Once in Ramsgate we had Fish and Chips at Peters Fish Factory.

Ramsgate is a seaside town and was very popular in the 19^th century as a member of the Cinque Ports confederation. It has one of the largest marinas on the English South Coast and the port has provided cross channel ferries for many years. In February 2011 there was some redevelopment work along the sea wall with art provided by the local residence, I thought the best one was this: