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This walk will include climbing the scarp face of the Downs to join the North Downs Way then heading to Cuxton.
You will walk through woodland and meadows, enjoying views of Halling’s Blue Lake, the Medway Valley and the wonderful Kent Downs AONB, the area has a rich industrial past.
We will finish at Cuxton station. Shops in the village and the White Hart are options for anybody wishing to purchase their own refreshments before making their onward journey back to Halling or home by train.
This is a dog friendly walk (please keep dogs on leads)
It is advised to come by public transport as there is no official parking at the meeting spot and street parking in the village is very limited.
Please bring suitable footwear for steep climbs and uneven trail surfaces.
Please note there are no toilets at either station on each end of the route.
Please note that booking is essential due to limited spaces.
*Please note that booking is essential for this walk*
This is a linear walk stating in Charing and ending in Harrietsham.
Starting at Charing Station, this walk will take you through the historic and picturesque village of Charing, located at the foot of the Kent North Downs. We will point out some of the features and buildings that date from the 14th century.
The walk will head up to the North Down Way, probably the steepest climb, then follow the gentle rolling route towards Lenham. Along the way you may see the buzzards flying overhead, and the signs of spring blossom in the hedgerows. There are many points of interest along the way and you may hear about the ecology of the North Downs Way, some of the farming techniques you may see, history, pilgrimages, fauna and flora of the trail.
With breaks to take in the views and some refreshment, the trail will then lead to the Lenham Cross, a war memorial carved into the chalk on the North Downs, before making our way along the last stretch to the historic Village of Harrietsham. There you can spend time exploring before heading to the station. (Two stops back to Charing station)
Based on the Medway Valley Line Walking Trail leaflet, this walk will be starting and finishing in the centre of Maidstone. The walk takes participants through the local oasis of Vinters Valley Nature Reserve, through ancient woodlands and on to the historic suburb of Penenden Heath. As such, the walk covers both the built and natural heritage of the local area and centered on the county town specifically. While close you could also visit Maidstone Museum to discover more about the history of the local area.
This is a dog friendly walk (please keep them on leads)
The walk leads through charming countryside, including riverside paths; former quarries; an organic vineyard; field margins; woods and downlands.
The history of the area is fascinating, and this walk has it all, from Neolithic Burial sites, to the shrine of the patron saint of the English province of Discalced Carmelites and the site of the Battle of Medway.
The price includes guided hike lead by a North Downs Way Ambassador HML Trainee and Blue Badge Tourist Guide who is also Wilderness First Aid Qualified, church visit, and visit to the Friary.
Dogs are not permitted on this walk.
Starting at Charing Station, this walk will take you through the historic and picturesque village of Charing, located at the foot of the Kent North Downs. We will point out some of the features and buildings that date from the 14th century.
The walk will head onto the North Downs Way, probably the steepest climb, then follow the gentle rolling route towards Hollingbourne. Along the way you may see the buzzards flying overhead, and the flora of the North Downs. There are many points of interest along the way and you may hear about the ecology of the North Downs Way, some of the farming techniques you may see, history, pilgrimages, fauna and flora of the trail.
With breaks to take in the views and some refreshment, the trail will then lead to the Lenham Cross, a war memorial carved into the chalk on the North Downs, before heading along the Downs above Harrietsham and meeting ‘Percy the Pilgrim’. The last stretch will take us to the pretty village of Hollingbourne where we’ll be welcomed to the previously closed ticket office (for 30 years) prior to its transformation earlier this year into a community hub and café. You could take the opportunity to explore the pretty village before jumping back on the train home. (Three stops back to Charing station).
This is a dog friendly walk (please keep them on leads)
Although this walk is free, booking is essential due to limited spaces.
Although this is quite a difficult walk, it would take in some amazing views of the Kentish countryside and there would be the added bonus of the achievement of climbing the escarpment to reach these vistas. Attention could be given to the various raptors such as buzzards and maybe even red kite that should hopefully be flying over the Downs. A short detour off the NDW will include the view from the Woodland Trust Hucking Estate as seen within the images which may be a good spot for a packed lunch.
This is a dog friendly event (please keep on leads)
Walking boots recommended
Inspired by the words of William Wordsworth’s “I wandered lonely as a cloud” poem, a Way with words, combines a walking, wellbeing, and words themed experience designed to inspire the creative mind just waiting to escape from within all of us.
This walk will follow part of the Greensands Way and pass the weathered walls of Boughton Monchelsea Place, skirt the edges of a deer park before ending up in the beautiful grounds of Linton Park, home to the impressive white walled Palladian mansion, known for its very high flagpole.
For more on the meaning behind A Way with Words and details of the walk, click here.
Booking is essential due to limited spaces.
This is a dog friendly walk - please keep them on leads (ploease note that some fields may have animals in)
Discover its history from Archbishops to Pheasant’s revolt, hear about the gin craze & beer brewing and the connection to the first president of the United States. The walk leads through the historic countryside and along the river Meadway.
Dogs are not permitted on this walk
This is a pilgrimage walk on the second leg of the Augustine Camino, a long-distance walking route from Rochester Cathedral to the Shrine of St Augustine in Ramsgate via Canterbury and Faversham. The route has been featured on Radio 4 and in the Guardian, click here to listen to the radio piece.
The walk starts with a tour of the Friars, built by the Carmelites on their return from the Crusades and now once more welcoming pilgrims in some of the original buildings. The Priory has beautiful modern art, a relic of local saint Simon Stock and a peaceful riverside setting. Then we will pass into the village for photographs on the medieval bridge followed by a stroll to the HQ of the Kent Wildlife Trust at Tyland Barn. The ruins of Boxley Abbey are next followed by an amble through the vineyards to lunch at the Kings Arms. Just opposite is St Mary and All Saints Church, a really lovely stop along the Pilgrim’s Way. From there we walk to Detling and on to Thurnham and St Mary’s church. Just up the lane is the Black Horse, a perfect pilgrim pub.
You can bring a pack lunch or eat in the pub as you wish.
This walk is dog friendly (please keep dogs on leads)
Linton Park is the HQ of Camellia PLC with agricultural interests in Africa & India but has recently bought extensive apple orchards in their own backyard. Let's go and see what they got for their money and have a picnic lunch in their grounds.
Booking is essential even though this is a free event.
This is a dog friendly walk (please keep on leads)
Walking boots advised
Enjoy fabulous views of the North Downs, walk through fields and meadows, ancient woodlands see timber-framed cottages, an oast house and a yeoman farmer's house. With both country views and history, this walk has it all!
Dogs are not permitted on this walk.
A ramble from Waterinbury, climbing gently to the hoppers huts at Shingle Barn Farm then descending to Yalding.
We will walk through meadows and woodland, enjoying views of the Medway Valley and passing through the historic village of Yalding.
We finish at Yalding station. Shops, cafes and pubs in the village offer options for anybody wishing to purchase their own refreshments before making their onward journey back to Wateringbury or home by train.
This is a dog friendly walk (please keep dogs on leads).
It is recommended to arrive my public transport due to limited parking.
Please being suitable footwear for uneven trail surfaces.
Please note there are no toilet facilities at either station. You can use nature’s toilets along the route, aka “a wild wee”. There are public toilets near Teapot Island in Yalding, however they are not guaranteed to be open.
