Our May Day walk or march will start from the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am.
Author Archive: John Pike
SSS335 – Tuesday, 30 April,2024 – The Hospital Walk
Meet @ 8:00 am outside the hospital – junction of South Canterbury Road with Ethelbert Road
The Langton Path to the end of the school playing fields, rugby club, Nackington then down to the bottom of the fields, by the pylons, then right and left through the firebreak in the woods, up the hill and onto to the Renville path. At Renville take the bridge across the motorway and then carefully walk across the NDR/A2 approach road and onto the lane which connects to the orchards, thence onto Pilgrims’ Way/St Augustine’s Road where the walk concludes. 6 miles
Last week’s The Get Thee to a Nunnery Walk:
Thursday, 25 April, 2024 Canterbury – Elham (sort of The Elham Valley Way – Variation 2)
Meet outside the hospital (junction of South Canterbury Road with Ethelbert Road) @ 8:30 am
The Elham Valley Way (this is slightly longer than the more direct route via Pett Bottom)
Canterbury to Elham (via Bridge/Bishopsbourne/Kingston/Covert Wood/Bladbean/Elham. Packed lunch – stops en route. There is an 11:50 bus back to Canterbury but we’re unlikely to make it, the route being longer than the quick route so, we can take a more relaxed approach this week aiming to catch the 12:50pm bus.
11 miles
No 17 Bus from Elham to Canterbury
12:50
13:50
14:50
Last week’s Canterbury to Temple Ewell Walk:

Wednesday Walk – 24 April, 2024
Gather at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am for a two hour walk followed by coffee.
The intention is to walk on Barton Down to see the grand display of bluebells. The area can become extremely muddy and the walk may need to be modified if there is any further heavy rain before Wednesday.
The pic taken on the walk last week is of us lads on the new bridge that crosses the Whitehall Dyke at Harbledown, a familiar place for Striders who walk the North Downs Way.

SSS334 – Tuesday 23 April, 2024 – The Get Thee to a Nunnery Walk
Meet corner of Nunnery Fields/Nunnery Road @ 8am
Nunnery Road/Zealand Road/Lime Kiln Road/Fields to Hollow Lane/Footpath to New House Lane/Connecting footpath to Iffin Lane/Footpath to Bridge Road/Footpath to Lower Hardes Church then along the lane for the path through Whitehill Wood back via Bridge Road and Nackington, via Rugby Club, to the Hospital. (6 miles).
Last week’s The Don’s Walk:
Wednesday Walk – 17 April, 2024
Meet at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am. Coffee will be taken at 10:30am in a city centre cafe.
The weather forecast is for possible light rain showers and a moderate breeze.
Our walk will include the orchards in Harbledown near Golden Hill, the trees are just coming into their full spring bloom.
Pic from last week is of Les staring down into the murky depths of the Sarre Penn. Photo taken from the cycle path bridge.

SSS333 – Tuesday 16 April, 2024 – The Don’s Walk
Meet 8.00 am at St. Martin’s Church
Stour Valley Way to Fordwich (forking right – off bike route) scary bit after Fordwich for 200 yds then turn right up hill to Stodmarsh Road via CCCU playing field. Across Stodmarsh Rd, footpath straight on then veer right into field and down to Lampen Stream. Turn right along bottom of field following stream for 400 yards, then turn left across stream and up the hill to old waste dump, right onto Swanton Lane, then straight across and down past Firdown Wood. Before the bare field at near Palmstead wood turn right and proceed towards the Hoath Farm (the last bit is along Bekesborne Road, thus exercise care), then right and left and thus to Hoath Farm, home via Little Barton House. 6 miles.
Last week’s Around The Woods Walk:
Thursday, 11 April, 2024 The Badlands of Badlesmere
Meet outside the Launderette – opposite St Mary Bredin Church at 8:30
London Road roundabout/SVW footpath to Bigberry/Chartham Hatch/Primrose Hill/Denstead Wood/Rhode Common/Perry Wood/Stocking Wood/Badlesmere.
Buses back to Canterbury (change at Faversham)
bus 666 – 12:59; 13:59; 15:35; 16:26 (11 mins to Faversham) then we can take the 3X from Faversham to Canterbury – frequent service.
We could stop in Faversham for coffee/tea.
Distance: 11 miles
Last week’s The Stuppington & Nunnery Circle:
Wednesday Walk – 10 April, 2024
Meet at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am for a two hour walk followed by coffee at a city centre cafe.