Thursday, 20 February, 2025 – Selstead via Covert Wood

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:

Wednesday Walk – 19 February, 2025

Meet up at the usual place and time on Wednesday, the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am.

A good weather forecast for the walk, bright sunshine and gentle breeze.

The walk will follow the Crab and Winkle line to Tyler Hill and cross the main road to the recreation ground. We’ll probably take the path next to Alcroft Grange then cross the field to Hales Place and return to the city via St Stephens.

The pic taken on the walk last week was taken by the small church on Brett’s private land near Milton Manor farm.

SSS 377 – Tuesday 18 February, 2025 – Reverse The Golf Walk

Meet outside 25 St. Augustine’s Road at 8:00 am

Spring Lane and past Little Barton Farmhouse.  We take the Public Footpath, which runs parallel to the railway line, along to Bekesbourne Road, further along we take the footpath, on the left, which runs alongside Palmstead Wood then Firdown Wood.  We cross A257 and walk along Swanton Lane till we get to the site of the old dump, then take the footpath through to Moat Lane/Stodmarsh Road junction.  We cross the road and take the footpath to Scotland Hill, across the Golf Course and then the footpath that runs behind the old barracks, later cutting down to the SVW, which leads us to St. Martin’s Church where the walk ends. 6 miles. 

Last week’s Reverse Toddler’s Coves Walk:

Thursday – 13 February, 2025 @ 8:30 Canterbury to Elham (Huw’s Way)

**Packed Lunch**
This one starts at 8:30am outside 25 St Augustine’s Road and takes the Francigena to Patrixbourne, then to Bridge via Bifrons Park, later we take a path crossing the Nailbourne to Crows Camp Hill just above Bishopsbourne.  We take a footpath from here and then a sharp left into Charlton Wood and then on to Heart’s delight via Marley.
We now follow the Elham Valley Way into Covert Wood, but on leaving the wood we take the road to Bladbean Farm, and then road and paths to Upper Park Gate Farm. From there we descend by road and path into Elham before taking the bus back to Canterbury. About 11 miles.

Buses to Canterbury at 12:50 or 13:50 – journey time 33 mins

Last week’s Woods & Coast Walk to Herne Bay:

Wednesday Walk – 12 February, 2025

An 8:30am start of walk from the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens for the two hours followed by coffee at a city centre cafe.

 Weather forecast for Wednesday is for drizzle and light winds.

The direction of the walk will be decided on the day and will take account of ground conditions as we find them.

The pic from last week is of the Hambrook Stream at the point where it is crossed by the North Downs Way. Not of course to be confused with the mighty Sarre Penn.

SSS376 – Tuesday, 11 February, 2025 – Reverse Toddler’s Coves Walk

Meet at the top of Nunnery Road where it meets Nunnery Fields at 8:00am 

Nunnery Road, Zealand Road, then Lime Kiln Road to footpath, which connects to path behind Wincheap and then to Hollow Lane.  Walk along footpath by side of Hollow Lane (under A2 bridge) and along New House Lane, later take footpath across to Strangers Lane.  Walk down to A28 and cross for footpath, which leads to bridge over the Stour onto the SVW by the turning to Tonford Manor but turn right and walk to Toddler’s Cove, then across the footbridge and under the ring road towards Lansdown Road where the walk finishes. About 6 miles.

Last week’s Reverse The Hospital Walk:

Thursday 6 February 2025 – Woods and coast to Herne Bay

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:


Wednesday Walk – 5 February, 2025

Be at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am for this weeks Wednesday Wander followed by a visit to a city centre cafe.

The walk will take us out along the NDW to Harbledown branching off towards the Vernon Holme School and crossing the road and into Stock Wood. We may return to the city via Rough Common or go onwards returning via the university campus depending on the time.

The weather forecast is looking good with sunny intervals and light winds. Temperatures between four and six degrees.

The attached pic was taken on last week’s walk following a period of very wet weather.