ACTIVITIES VISIT KENT
Book your short break to Kent now at www.visitkent.co.uk 41
T
he county has miles of walking routes, along
the coast or in the countryside, and there are
plenty of guided and independent walks
available. From the beginning of April 2010, a new
Explore Kent database of guided walks will be
available. You will be able to search for and book
any guided walk in Kent that meets your needs
and interests � and many of them are free too
(www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent). A range of self-
guided walking itineraries can be downloaded
from www.visitkent.co.uk
The Saxon Shore Way offers the long distance
walker a 160-mile route from the bustling port of
Gravesend, in North Kent, to the popular seaside
town of Hastings, in East Sussex. The route
features a breathtaking range of landscapes and
scenery, as well as points of cultural and historic interest. Another walk, the
Green Sand Way from Haslemere, in Surrey, through to Hamstreet, in Kent,
takes in the Kent Downs, an officially designated Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty. The Kent Downs AONB has recently been "highly
commended" by the Responsible Tourism Awards as a responsible tourism
destination so you really will be upping your green credentials whilst you're
in the area!
Kent has a number of country parks, such as Haysden and Knole Park; nature
reserves, such as Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve; lakes, such as Bewl Water, and
valleys, which offer fine walking opportunities. Follow the Wealdway or the
Darent Valley along the banks of the River Thames, or take the Eden Valley
walks along the banks of the Rivers Eden and Medway, through woodlands
and open fields, whilst discovering the history of the area. You can even
follow walking routes in towns and villages, such as the Turner and Dickens
Walk connecting Margate and Broadstairs and the towns' two most
celebrated visitors and the Jane Austin walk through Tonbridge.
New for 2010 is the Kent Walking Festival. This special event aims to encourage
everyone to enjoy Kent's countryside and coast. Some highlights of the Festival
include: the Thanet Walking Festival (2nd-8th May); the Gravesham Heritage
Festival (15th-30th May) and the North Kent Walking Festival (1st-30th June).
If you want to get on your bike, then you will find that cycling is well
catered for here.
The Crab and Winkle Way is a terrific 7 1/2 mile mainly traffic-free route
between Canterbury and Whitstable and the Viking Coastal Trail offers 29
miles of stunning cycling on the Isle of Thanet peninsula, the point where
Vikings first landed in Britain. The coastal section, from Pegwell Bay to
Reculver, winds its way past sandy beaches and bays, often against a
backdrop of spectacular chalk cliffs. The Heron Trail is a lovely 18-mile
circular route on the Hoo Peninsula, bounded by two great rivers, the
Thames to the North and the Medway to the South. And the Tonbridge to
Penshurst cycle path offers great family cycling (and discounted entry to
Penshurst place to those arriving by bike). Walkers and cyclists can both
enjoy the 28-mile long path that runs along the Royal Military Canal, from
Seabrook in Kent to Cliff End in East Sussex, through Romney Marsh. For
mountain bikers there is Bedgebury Forest with 7 1/2 miles of dedicated
single track mountain biking, as well as over 6 miles of family trails around
the beautiful 2,000-acre forest.
PICTURED:
Above: Country walk
Left: Cycling at
Botany Bay

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