Stour Valley Walk

: "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"

. , occasionally seen in the area.

The 51.5 mile (82.4 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. [ [https://secure3.easyspace.com/www.walkingpages.co.uk/acatalog/Main_Book_Listing_S_44.html Kent County Council] ]

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 6 ¼ miles (10 km)
*b) Little Chart to Ashford 8 ¼ miles (13.2 km)
*c) Ashford to Wye 5 ½ miles (8.8 km)
*d) Wye to Godmersham 5 miles (8 km)
*e) Godmersham to Chilham 3 ¼ miles (6 km)
*f) Chilham to Chartham 3 ½ miles (5.6 km)
*g) Chartham to Canterbury 4 miles (6.4 km)
*h) Canterbury to Sturry 2 ½ miles (4 km)
*i) Sturry to Upstreet 6 miles (9.6 km)
*j) Upstreet to East Stourmouth 3 miles (4.8 km)
*k) East Stourmouth to Sandwich 7 ½ miles (12 km)
*l) Sandwich to Pegwell Bay 3 ½ miles (5.6 km) [ [http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/gtstour/word/sb-stourvalleywalk.doc Nature Grid] ]

Lenham to Little Chart

6 ¼ miles (10 km) - gbmapping|TQ897522 to gbmapping|TQ950460: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 to Ashford

8 ¼ miles (13.2 km) - gbmapping|TQ950460 to gbmapping|TR005425: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 River Upper Great Stour eastwards to Singleton Lake and along the Ashford Green Corridor (Local Nature Reserve) in to Ashford's centre.

:The Ashford Green Corridor web site has a very useful [http://www.ashfordgreencorridor.org.uk/map_main.htm 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. [ [http://www.ashfordgreencorridor.org.uk/intro_main.htm Ashford Green Corridor] ] :

Ashford to Wye

5 ½ miles (8.8 km) - gbmapping|TR005425 to gbmapping|TR053467:The confluence of the River East Stour and the River Upper 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

"'8 ¼ miles (13.2 km) - gbmapping|TR053467 to gbmapping|TR069537: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 River Great Stour 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.

: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. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/discover_kent/walks/stour_valley.shtml BBC Discover Kent] ] :

Chilham to Canterbury

7 ½ miles (12 km) - gbmapping|TR069537 to gbmapping|TR147577: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

8 ½ miles (13.6 km) - gbmapping|TR147577 to gbmapping|TR224629

Upstreet to Sandwich

10 ½ miles (16.8 km) - gbmapping|TR224629 to gbmapping|TR328583At Upstreet the path joins the Saxon Shore Way heading towards Sandwich.

andwich to Pegwell Bay

3 ½ miles (5.6 km) - gbmapping|TR328583 to gbmapping|TR345623

References

ee also

*Long-distance footpaths in the UK