Thursday – 3 April, 2025 – Waltham to Elham (via Hastingleigh)

Meet at Canterbury Bus Station  to catch 8.23 Bus 620 (C5) to Waltham Village Hall arriving at 8.59am (cost £3).

The route takes us to Hastingleigh via Grandacre Farm, then bridleway to Whatsole Street and on to Homelands farm, Lymbridge Green, then south to the Highfields Farm, then East across Stone Street, through West Woods to Rhodes Minnis and onwards due east joining the footpath through Tye Wood, then Elham.  This route was worked out by Peter.

Packed lunch recommended or the Cosy Cafe, which may have new management:

https://thecosytearoomsofelham.wordpress.com/about-panel/ or Pub.

Number 17 bust back at 12.50 or 13.50. Length about 10miles of lovely countryside.

Last week’s walk to Wye:

Wednesday Walk – 2 April, 2025

Gather as usual at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am for a two hour walk followed by a visit to a city centre cafe.

The weather for the duration of the walk will be sunny and bright, perfect!

Time to seek out the spring blossom so the walk will take us through the orchards of Harbledown.

Attached pic is of wood anemones taken last week in Homestall Wood.

SSS383 Tuesday, 1 April, 2025 – Reverse The Les Walk (The Hole in the Polo)

Meet at 8:00am outside number 67 St. Augustine’s Road (Les’s House)

NDW through Barton Industrial Estate towards Hode Farm but turning left towards Haystack Wood and Bekesbourne Road then turning left for paths by Palmstead Wood leading to the A257 by Fishpoolhill Wood. Footpath through Polo Farm then directly across Stodmarsh Road where we follow the path by the Golf Course until we come to the footpath by Scotland Hills.  Footpaths to and through Old Park Farm then taking the footpath by the side of the Barracks and Querns Estate, crossing the A257 for the path down Babbs Hill, later the St. Augustine’s Triangle, where the walk finishes. 6 miles.

Last week’s Reverse The Steve’s Walk:

Canterbury to Wye – Thursday, 27 March, 2025 @ 8:30

Packed lunch/elevenses.

Meet at the top of Nunnery Road, at the junction with Nunnery Fields @ 8:30.

Hollow Lane, New House Lane, Kenfield Road – footpath to Garlinge Green then:
Denge Wood, Erringe Wood. We cross Sole Street, heading for Church Wood (possible elevenses break by Crundale Church). We then follow the footpaths, later descending the downs, to Wye. About 11 miles.

Trains back to Canterbury West:

13:02; 14:02; 15:02

Travel time 16 minutes. Cost £4.95 with travel card.

There exists the alternative of walking onwards from Wye to Bilting (45 mins) and catching the 1X to Canterbury Bus Station, travel time 29 minutes, bus times:

12:42; 13:42; 14:42

Last week’s Canterbury to Lydden walk:

Wednesday Walk – 26 March, 2025

Meet at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am for this weeks two hour walk followed by coffee at a city centre cafe.

 Direction of the walk will be decided on the day.

The weather forecast is for sun and light winds. 

The photo of The Wednesday Regulars was taken by Steve in Homestall Wood last week.

SSS382 – Tuesday, 25 March, 2025 – Reverse The Steve’s Walk

Meet at the top of Norman Road 8:00

Norman Road into Oxford Road, footpaths to Wincheap School then onward to A28/A2 Juction and Retail Park, taking pedestrian crossings until the outskirts of Thannington, turn left after A2 exit junction onto footpath leading to Cockering Road.  We proceed along Cockering Road until we get to the footpath, on the left hand side, which leads to St. Augustine’s, Chartham where we turn left across the recreation ground then into the woods coming out by the footpath that parallels New House Lane.  We turn left and return towards Canterbury, taking Hollow Lane down to the Wincheap Orchards and then across to Lime Kiln Road/Zealand Road/Nunnery Road, where the walk ends.

About 6 miles

Last week’s Reverse The Valley Lark Walk:

Thursday 20 March 2025 – Lydden

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:

Wednesday Walk – 19 March, 2025

Gather as usual at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am for a two hour walk followed by coffee at a venue decided on the day.

 
The weather forecast for the walk is bright sunshine and a light wind.
This week we’ll follow the North Downs Way to near Harbledown and then head in the direction of the A2505 crossing into Stock Wood following various paths towards the A290 and the university campus. Big decisions to be made at this point, Gulbenkian cafe or onwards for coffee in the city centre?
The pic from last weeks adventure is of the lads on Barton Down. Yes the shopping trolley is still there but now minus two of its wheels.