Group Walk

Southern England

London

22.5ml.

09.08

Meet Canterbury West stn (08.12 London St Pancras (direct); finish: Margate stn (regular trains back to St Pancras). Buy return to Margate.

Details:

In the morning leave Canterbury via the Stour Valley Walk, passing through Fordwich village and woodland before traversing at Stodmarsh (al-fresco refreshment stop) to Wickhambreaux village and the Little Stour, hence via more woods and farms to lunch in Preston (Half Moon and Seven Stars - no frills, but substantial).

Afternoon route takes us across farmland and through orchards to Plucks Gutter, then along the banks of the River Stour and fields to afternoon refreshment in Minster (either the Bell or the New Inn), continuing across northern Thanet to a beachside finish in Margate (unfortunately - unless hours are extended - the Dreamland Scenic Railway stops operating about 30 minutes before we arrive; Wetherspoons will be open)

Not only do we get to retrace the steps of the monks and pilgrims seeking entertainment after a hard week at the Cathedral, the walk also has history because Preston enjoyed Dick's residence for much of his first ten years (and, in parts, hasn't much changed). And there's also something of a surprise along the way. We may get to meet some cows and sheep, so Fido had best not come (unless really well behaved). There's a GPX of the approximate route and a few photos at walks.dickbowman.com