The Rural Community Council For Kent and Medway
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Walking in Swale and the Medway Valley
Whether you want beautiful countryside, coastal scenery, industrial archaeology or military history, you can access them all via the Medway Valley Line and Swalerail. And what better way to explore than to follow one of the walks listed below.
Click onto the leaflet covers against each walk to download a copy of the leaflet describing the walk and what can be seen.
The Community Rail Partnership has (in partnership with Valley of Visions Countryside Project) produced a pack of 13 walks - one from each station along the Medway Valley Line.
"Knights & Fishers" "Coppice & Corncockle" "Farming & Ferries"
Strood Cuxton Halling
A 4.7 mile circular walk from A 5 mile circular walk through A 6.2 mile walk from Halling
Strood along the river Medway, stunning chalk downland and to Cuxton station through
past historic landmarks and farmland of Ranscombe Farm, marshland, rare beech and
through pockets of stunning past the impressive Darnley yew woodland on the top of the
countryside nestled in the Mausoleum and through the Downs and attractive farmland
suburbs of Strood. and through Cuxton village. in the lower valley
"Farms & Downs" "Lakes & Marshes" "Pits & Pilgrims"
Snodland New Hythe Aylesford
A 4.5 mile circular route (with A 2.9 mile walk (with optional A 7.1 mile circular walk through
optional 2.6 mile extension) loop of 1.4 miles) from New the beautiful landscape of the
through farmland and Hythe to Snodland station Kent Downs, with remnants of a
woodland with stunning views taking in fantastic scenery and rich Neolithic and industrial past
across the valley below. wildlife in the wetland areas of dotted along the way.
Leybourne Lakes, Holborough
Marshes and the River Medway.
"Reptiles & Rebellions" "West to East" "Kettles & Crossings"
Maidstone Barracks Maidstone West East Farleigh
A 4 mile circular route from A 4.2 mile walk from Maidstone A 2.7 mile circular route through
the middle of Maidstone West to East Farleigh station orchards with beautiful views of
through the town centre, along the beautiful River Medway. the surrounding countryside.
Vinters Valley Nature Reserve
and woodland.
"The River & Yew" "Hills & Hoppers" "Hops & Locks"
Wateringbury Yalding Beltring
A 1.8 mile circular walk (with A 6.2 mile walk (with optional A 4 mile walk to Yalding station
optional 2.9 mile extension) 3.1 mile extension) to through countryside, orchards
through the delightful Wateringbury station through and wetland.
countryside of Nettlestead. stunning farmland and woodland.
"Oasts & Orchards" Rail Trails Survey
Paddock Wood We'd like to hear your thoughts
A 5.3 mile circular route through on the rail trail pack and the
the town, beautiful farmland and specific trail(s) you have
woodland. completed. Please click on
the survey form above to complete
an online survey. It should take no
more than 5 minutes. Thank you.
The Rail Partnership is working with the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership to encourage access to the local countryside, particularly by train. Several new walk leaflets have been published and describe walks that can be easily reached from Medway Valley Line stations. You can download the leaflets of some of the walks below, together with leaflets aimed at youngsters to help them spot local wildlife and features.
- Walk: Wateringbury Station to Teston Bridge and return.
- Walk: Yalding Station circular walk via Nettlestead Green
- Spotters Leaflet: Wildlife
- Spotters Leaflet: Heritage
For more information on the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership click here.
The North Downs Way Lost Landscapes Project has also produced a very informative leaflet describing a circular walk starting from Cuxton Station. You can download this Local Heritage leaflet here.
"Valley of Visions" is a landscape partnership scheme that aims to conserve and enhance the heritage landscapes and biodiversity of the Medway Gap - the area of the Medway Valley from Allington Lock to the mouth of the river.
With five Medway Valley Line stations within the area, the Community Rail Partnership is working with "Valley of Visions" to help promote sustainable access to the local countryside.
Valley of Visions are producing a series of "Community Trails in the Medway Gap leaflets that describe walks in their area. Several of these include walks that go by Medway Valley Line stations. Click on the images below to download the Community Trails leaflets for Strood, Snodland and Aylesford.
A 5 mile trail around Strood A 3 mile walk around the A 6 mile walk around Aylesford
taking in its streets, green historic centre ofSnodland, and the surrounding countryside
spaces and riverside exploring its rich heritage and plus other, shorter walks
heritage. admiring its historic buildings. exploring Eccles, Blue Bell Hill and Walderslade.
Click on www.valleyofvisions.org.uk to go to the "Valley of Visions" website.
Swalerail
Walks in Swale will be added as soon as possible.
For more information about the Medway Valley Line Community Rail Partnership, please contact either Nigel Whitburn or Ian Paterson on 01303 813790.