Stour Valley Walk

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This article is about the Stour Valley Walk in Kent, England. For the Way in Dorset see Stour Valley Way. For the Path in East Anglia see Stour Valley Path
File:River Stour Map.jpg
The River Routes

The Stour Valley Walk is a recreational walking route that follows the River Stour, through the Low Weald and Kent Downs, from its source at Lenham to its estuary at Pegwell Bay.

File:Stour Valley Logo.jpg
Stour Valley Signs

The walk passes through some of Kent's finest landscapes, most important nature sites and most historic, un-spoilt villages.[1] The walk is signed with the logo of a heron, occasionally seen in the area.

The 51.5 miles (82.9 km) route is of interest for its landscape and history, and for its archaeological, historical and architectural features. Part of the Pilgrims' Way followed the river valley from Wye to Canterbury after the North Downs.

The walk passes through a varied landscape of downland, woodland, orchards, hop gardens and farmland; lakes, dykes and marshland; unspoilt villages and hamlets; and historic towns.[2]

It is possible to reach the walk from Maidstone via the 12 kilometer long Len Valley Walk (booklet available from Maidstone Council).

The route

  • a) Lenham to Little Chart Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value).
  • b) Little Chart to Ashford Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value).
  • c) Ashford to Wye Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value).
  • d) Wye to Godmersham 5 miles (8.0 km)
  • e) Godmersham to Chilham Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value).
  • f) Chilham to Chartham Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value).
  • g) Chartham to Canterbury 4 miles (6.4 km)
  • h) Canterbury to Sturry Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value).
  • i) Sturry to Upstreet 6 miles (9.7 km)
  • j) Upstreet to East Stourmouth 3 miles (4.8 km)
  • k) East Stourmouth to Sandwich Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value).
  • l) Sandwich to Pegwell Bay Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value). [3]
File:View from Lenham.JPG
From Lenham across the Countryside

Lenham to Little Chart

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Walking south-east from Lenham, across the church yard and then immediately into the countryside, through agricultural fields, gaining a first sighting of a stream running to become part of the River. The route then takes you over a pedestrian crossing of the railway, to Lenham Heath and then over High Speed 1 and the Motorway (M20) to Little Chart where the path joins the Greensand Way.


Little Chart Church

Little Chart to Ashford

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The Stour Valley Walk separates from the Greensand Way at Hothfield Common and merges again at Godinton , heading south to Great Chart, where the Greensand Way continues south, to Kingsnorth and Hamstreet. Our walk follows the now larger upper reaches of the Great Stour eastwards to Singleton Lake and along the Ashford Green Corridor (Local Nature Reserve) into Ashford's centre.
The Ashford Green Corridor web site has a very useful map showing Singleton Lake and other green areas within Ashford and the route of this part of the walk. In this section of the walk kingfishers, grass snakes, damselflies and possibly water voles can be seen.[4]

Ashford to Wye

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The confluence of the East Stour and the Great Stour is at the old mill at the bottom of East Hill in Ashford, and the walk continues from here, heading east to Willesborough Lees and then north to Wye where the Stour Valley Walk crosses the North Downs Way's southerly section.

Wye to Chilham

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There is a slight ascent as you leave Wye, rising from 35 m to 150 m, and some of the paths are narrow containing rabbit holes.
In this stage the Stour Valley Walk follows the path of the Great Stour river as it meanders through the stunning countryside of East Kent. One of the most beautiful sections of this walk can be found between the villages of Wye and Chilham, passing through a rolling landscape with panoramic views. There are regular bus and train links to both Canterbury and Ashford from the start and finish points of this walk.
The Wye Crown
From the station at Wye walk up into the village crossing the river for the first time, and turn left into Church Street. From the church follow the route signs for the North Downs Way and Stour Valley Walk, pass through the college buildings crossing a road and then out into open farmland. Here the Stour Valley Walk and the North Downs Way separate, as the North Downs Way heads east, above the Wye Crown to Dover. Follow the path cutting diagonally left across the field towards woodland.
Once through the woodland the path dips into the valley offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside and then continues through coppiced woodland to open meadow land and the village of Crundale. The path follows an unmade road branching off to the left across farmland leading into dense woodland, where it is lined with yew trees. The walk follows several sections of woodland, and as you approach Chilham, you will see views of the castle. The path then branches to your left over a stile, this link path then takes you back down to the river to the picturesque Chilham mill.
For Chilham village square follow the road from the mill to the A28. The main square boasts timber framed houses, a 13th century church and the impressive castle gateway.
For the railway station turn right at the main road and continue for approximately 150 metres then turn left – the station should be clearly signed.[5]
File:Canterbury - Klein-Venedig am Stour.jpg
The River in Canterbury city centre

Chilham to Canterbury

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Leaving Chilham village, head east across the river to pick up the main Stour Valley Walk, passing the Neolithic long barrow, Julliberrie's Grave and then follow the route north-east to Shalmsford Street, and on towards Thanington Without and Canterbury.

Canterbury to Upstreet

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Upstreet to Sandwich

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Sandwich to Pegwell Bay

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See also

References

  1. Kentish Stour Countryside Project
  2. Kent County Council
  3. Nature Grid
  4. Ashford Green Corridor
  5. BBC Discover Kent

External links

  • Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons

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