Author Archive: John Pike
SSS381 – Tuesday 18 March, 2025 – Reverse The Valley Lark Walk
Meet @ 8:00 am at the top of Nunnery Road (at the Junction with Nunnery Fields)
Nunnery Road, Zealand Road, Lime Kiln Road and across the fields coming out at Hollow Lane, then onto New House Lane taking the footpath to Cockering Road. We take the footpath though Larkey Valley Wood leaving for footpaths crossing New House Lane and Iffin Lane, then footpath through to Merton Farm, cross A2 bridge – Rugby Club, Langton Path, K & C Hospital where the walk ends. 6 miles.
Last week’s Reverse The Woolton Farm Walk:
Thursday, 13 March, 2025 – The Marley Oval (in reverse)
Packed lunch
Meet at the junction of Stuppington Lane with South Canterbury Road 8:30am
Footpath to the Rugby Club then onward to Nackington, Whitehill Wood and Pett Bottom then to the side of Gorsley Wood towards Westward Farm. We take the footpath to Marley Lane and follow this down to Kingston, then footpath to Bishopsbourne, onwards to Bridge, Patrixbourne and back to Canterbury via the Barton Estate. 12 miles.
Last week’s Canterbury to Herne Walk:
Wednesday Walk – 12 March, 2025
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.
SSS 380 – Tuesday 11 March, 2024 – Reverse The Woolton Farm Walk
Meet outside 25 St. Augustine’s Road at 8:00 am
Spring Lane, the footpath past Little Barton House by the railway line then along Bekesbourne Lane taking the second footpath on the left through Woolton Farm, past Farthings Wood and shortly afterwards taking a left into Court Wood towards Littlebourne Road, at the end of this footpath we take the footpath to the left, towards Firdown Wood but turn right before Palmstead Wood proceeding towards the Hoath Farm (footpath), crossing Bekesbourne Lane then through the former orchards back to Spring Lane (where the walk concludes) via Little Barton House. 6 miles
Last week’s Reverse The Travelling Riverside Blues Walk:
Wednesday Walk – 5 March, 2025
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.
Weather forecast is sunny and gentle breeze with temperatures up to nine degrees, perfect walking weather.
The walk originally planned for last week will take us to Rough Common, New Road, Luckett Farm and cross the A290 next to the public house, The Hare at Blean. We’ll follow the Sarre Penn down stream until we reach Brotherhood Wood returning to the city centre via the university campus.
The pic taken last week is of The Magnificent Seven (one taking the photo) next to the river near where the Beavers roam.
A rare visit from Martin, we were pleased he could join us.

SSS 379 – Tuesday 4 March, 2025 – Reverse Travelling Riverside Blues Walk
Meet outside St. Martin’s Church at 8:00am
We take the SVW path, later joining the cycle path to Fordwich but later cutting through to Dickens Avenue, then South Street, crossing the Sturry Road and heading for ASDA and then the path by the Stour, which we follow to the Miller’s Arms passing Sainsbury’s en route. At this point we make our way to the footpath which parallels North Lane by the side of the other Stour and continue onto Westgate Gardens, then the SVW to the Riverside Retail Park where we weave our way to Wincheap School, crossing the A28 in the process. The walk finishes at the junction of Norman Road with Nunnery Road and Oxford Road.
Last week’s The Omicron Walk:
Thursday, 27 February, 2025 – Canterbury to Sibertswold
Meet outside 25 St Augustine’s Road at 8:30
Elevenses stop (bring a snack/drink if you wish)
North Downs Way to Patrixbourne then alternative route, re-joining NDW at Womenswold.
Train back from Sibertswold £4.45 with Railcard. One train an hour 12:28; 13:28; 14:28. The journey time is 18 mins.
Approx. 10 miles
Last week’s Canterbury to Selsted Walk:
Wednesday Walk – 26 February, 2025
Gather at 8:30am at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens for the weekly two hour walk followed by coffee at a city centre cafe.
The walk will follow the cemetery path to Rough Common where we’ll join New Road. We’ll take a path to the right and join the Whitstable Road near the pub and Sarre Penn. Continuing on to Brotherhood Wood and then onto the university campus returning to the city via St Stephens.
There is rain in the forecast but it should not be a problem before lunch time.
The pic taken on the walk last week is of the lads standing on the bridge near Alcroft Grange watching the Sarre Penn flow beneath them.
