This spring, take to Kent’s highways and byways and see the county from a fresh perspective.
A good countryside walk lets you discover hidden spots you will never see from the car and appreciate what a glorious place we call home.
The route takes you alongside the River Stour
This gentle walk of close to five miles allows you to take in the charming countryside and beaches in and around Sandwich.
And if you like a drink and a Kentish pub, even better – as this walk is brought to you by the country’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame.
The route guides you along country footpaths, across gravel beaches and through the golf courses at Royal St George’s and Prince’s. You start and finish in the centre of Sandwich, where you can browse independent shops and peek inside historic buildings before calling in at the Market Inn or the Bell Hotel.
Shepherd Neame’s the Market Inn, Sandwich
THE FACTS
This is an easy walk of 4¾ miles. At its lowest point, you will be 6ft below sea level and at its highest point you will be 28ft above sea level. In total, you will ascend 117ft. Allow roughly two hours.
Starting at the Bell Hotel overlooking the River Stour, and finishing at the Market Inn, this easy walk will take you along roadways, grassy tracks and sandy coastal trails.
THE ROUTE
1 To start at the Bell Hotel, turn right out of the hotel entrance and right again to walk parallel to the river. Continue past the car park and along a Tarmac path through the park until you reach a white footbridge on your left.
2 Cross the footbridge (which is signposted) and follow the signs for the Saxon Shore Way. Continue straight along this route for three-quarters of a mile until you reach a roadway
3 Cross over the road towards the golf course, you will pass the Royal St George’s clubhouse on your right and there will be a golf hole on your left. Please note that you are now walking on a public footpath through Royal St George’s Golf Club and will need to be aware of golf balls. Carefully follow the footpath, avoiding the golf balls until you reach a gateway.
4 Through the gateway turn left, you can now either walk along the pebble beach in front of you or continue along either the Tarmac route or sandy trail.
5 As you pass the public toilets and car park on your right you will see the sign for Princes Golf Club which has a walker’s gate on the left.
6 Head through the gate, taking the footpath just before the lodge. This route goes left, and is sign-posted Stour Walk Way. This route will take you along the Royal St George’s fence line (please be aware that cars also use this route). The footpath will become a grass footpath, taking you through a gate away from the Golf Course and through a second gate heading towards the shipyard.
The pebble beach at Sandwich
Be sure to keep an ear open for shouts of fore
7 At the third and final gate, turn left where you will reach a crossing of footpaths – take the middle track (towards Sandwich Marina) which is sign-posted the England Coast Path. Continue along here to the end of the route and turn right
8 You will find yourself now back at Point 2. Turn right and continue along the pathway. At this point you can go directly to back to the Bell Hotel, following the way you came or you can extend your route and take in the centre of Sandwich and the Market Inn. To extend your walk through the town, turn left before the play-park and past the tennis club on your left. You will now be on Mill Wall and will want to stay on this route for half a mile until you reach Fellowship Walk.
9 At Fellowship Walk, turn right, walking towards the town centre and through the Guildhall car park. Walk through the Guildhall and you will reach the Market Inn on New Street.
10 From the Market Inn, turn down No Name Street, cross Delf Street and continue along Market Street past St Peter’s Church and into Milk Alley. Cross the Road to Seven Post Alley, turn left on the High Street and you will arrive back at the Bell Hotel.
Please note that dogs must be kept under control at all times as livestock may be in fields, and gates should be left as you find them. The public footpaths should remain as published here and are generally marked by small circular markers or signposts. Please take care of passing traffic when walking on country lanes as well as on all footpaths for trip and slip hazards. Please be aware that the landscape is farmed and is subject to change from time to time.
Download a pdf of the route here
The Bell is a grand Edwardian hotel, brimming with character
THE SHEPS PUBS
Overlooking the River Stour, the Bell Hotel has been welcoming guests to the town since Tudor times. Its popular restaurant serves a fine contemporary menu. More details here – www.bellhotelsandwich.co.uk
The Market Inn is a family-friendly pub, offering fine ales, homemade food and a warm welcome. More details here – www.marketinnsandwich.co.uk
The Market Inn is a family-friendly community pub, serving traditional hand-pulled ales and homemade food from a prime spot on the town’s market square
Discover more Shepheard Neame pub walks here