Happy Birthday to John Pike for Monday 16th June

And a speedy recovery from his broken ankle – incurred on a Striders walk last week.

Meet 8.30am, Launderette, Nunnery Fields

Proceed via the Canterbury East station to Toddlers Cove, then to the recreation ground to pick up the North Downs Way at the London Road roundabout. We follow the NDW to Old Wives Leas and then cut down past Bowerland Farm, crossing the A28 into Pickelden Lane, and take the path through Shalmsford Steet and onto the river back to Canterbury.

The walk is about 13 miles. A shorter option is possible by taking a bus or train from Shalmsford St or Chartham. Bring a picnic or snack.

Last week’s walk between Waltham and Ealham:

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Meet at 8.30am, K&C, South Canterbury Rd entrance. The walk is 12 miles with regular buses from Lydden.

We will break at Broome Park for a mid morning snack. There is a cafe available.

Past the rugby ground to Nackington, Whitehill Woods, Middle Pett Farm, Hint Cottage. Elham Valley way to Bishopsbourne, Kingston, Heart’s Delight, Barham. Over the Broome Park golf course to the main entrance. past Lyddon Circuit, Birches Farm, Wickham Bushes to Lydden.

There are regular buses back from Lydden. If you want a shorter walk (about 10 miles) there are regular buses from Broome Park or Denton.

Last week’s Marley Oval walk:

Meet 8.30am at St Martins Church

The walk is about 12 miles, with regular buses back from Herne. There is the option of a shorter walk (about 9 miles) by getting the bus back from Upstreet. Bring a packed lunch.

We take the footpath through Old Park and join with the cycle route to Fordwich. Then the Stour Valley Way from Fordwich to Stodmarsh, and the path through the Stodmarsh bird reserve to Grove Ferry. Footpath to Upstreet, then cross the main road and take the footpath to Chitty. From Chitty we take small roads through Chislet and Millbank to Herne.

Last week’s walk to Sibotswold:

Meet 8.30am, K&C Hospital, South Canterbury Road entrance.

The walk is 12 miles, with regular buses back from Selstead. We should be back in Canterbury around 1.30pm so bring a packed lunch or snack.

Through the hospital to the rugby field, cross Nackington Road, walk to Whitehill woods. Path down to Little Eaton Farm, cross Pett Bottom road and take the footpath that runs along the valley behind the Duck Inn to Westwood Farm. Road and paths through Covert wood to Bladbean Farm, Wingmore, and onto the EVW, Tappington Hall, Rakehole Farm and Selstead.

Shorter options are available by cutting down to Barham or by taking the path to Denton to get onto a bus route.

The bus 16 runs every 20 minutes back to Canterbury.

Last week’s walk to Elham:

Meet at 8.30am, launderette opposite St Mary Bredin Church.

This route is about 13 miles. After Toddlers Cove it goes through Lower Harbledown up to the University and the takes the path parallel to the cycle route to Whitstable and then the coast to Herne Bay. Packed lunch or Wallflower Cafe, and bus back home.

A shorter walk is possible by taking the bus back from Whitstable or Tankerton.

Last week’s walk to Faversham:

Meet 8.30am at K&C Hospital, South Canterbury Road entrance.

The walk is around 13 miles. Bring a packed lunch, although there is also a cafe and pub at Ash if preferred. Regular buses back to Canterbury.

Shorter versions are possible by walking back from Patrixbourne on the NDW or by taking the yellow road from Adisham to Bramling and getting the bus there.

Through the hospital, up to the rugby ground, Nackington, Whitehill woods, Middle Pett Farm, Bridge. Bifrons Park, Adisham, Goodnestone, Claypits, Staple, Ash.

Last week’s Boxing Day amble:

Meet at K&C Hospital, South Canterbury Road entrance, at 8.30am.

We will go out past the rugby ground through Nackington, Whitehill Woods, skirt Lower Hardres, Bridge, Patrixbourne, bypass Littlebourne through Lower Garrington Farm, Ickham, Wickhambreaux, Stodmarsh, Fordwich and home along the cycle route to Canterbury.

About 15 miles, with plenty of opportunities to stop for picnic lunch at one of the churches. Short cut by taking the bus back from Littlebourne or Sturry.

Last week’s Southern Circle walk:

Meet at 8.30am Launderette opposite St Mary Breeding

The walk is about 11m with a bus back from Whitstable. Option of a visit to Wetherspoons, cafe or packed lunch.

Landsdown Rd to Canterbury East, Toddlers Cove, river walk to Tonford Manor. Tonford Lane to NDW, through Bigbury wood and right down to Poldhurst Farm. Over the A2 bridge into Willows and Church Wood, to Denstroude Farm and Lane through Ellenden Wood and Fox’s Cross. Cross Thant Way at Yorkletts bridge. Walk along Seasalter Lane and footpath through Seasalter to the coast, approaching Whitstable by the beach huts and the Neptune.

Regular buses back to Canterbury

Meet 8.30am, top of Nunnery Road

The route is about 14 miles, returning around 1.30pm so bring a packed lunch if required.

Zealand Road, left into Lime Kiln Road, behind Wincheap Primary School and crossing Hollow Lane to take the footpath up to New House Lane, New House Farm and the footpath to the Chartham Downs road. Footpath behind Kenfield Hall to Petham, past the church and footpath to Dane Chantry, cross Stone St and take footpath to Bossingham Church, then to Bossingham, Lynsore and Pett Bottom, returning home through Whitehill Woods and Nackington.

Last week’s walk to Elham: