Stour Valley Walk

The Stour Valley Walk will give you the opportunity of enjoying a valley walk across east Kent from the source of the River Stour at Lenham to the sea at Pegwell Bay near Sandwich. The 83km route, which passes through Ashford and Canterbury, is of interest for its landscape and history, and for its archaeological, historical and architectural features.

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. Linking all these features in a thread-like pattern is the meandering Kentish Stour, the major watercourse in east Kent. 'Major' is relative however, as upstream from Ashford the river is under 4.5m wide. Near the end of the walk a visit to the ruins of Richborough Castle is worthwhile. This Roman fort was an important stronghold, guarding the Saxon shore end of the Wantsum Channel.

The time required to complete this walk comfortably, allowing for some sightseeing, is four or five days. Overnight stops can be planned without too much difficulty as there are frequent towns and villages along the route. There are also public transport links with many places. Full details of all the options are given in the guidebook which is also crammed with information about the Stour Valley.

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