Circular & Linear Walks

A great circular walk from Eastbourne taking in the famous Beachy Head, Britains highest chalk cliff.

The walk is 5 miles / 8.1km and should take around 3.5 hours to walk. to the village of East Dean where bus services run every 10 minutes back t the start. An optional walking return route adds 2 miles/ 3.4 km.

Refreshments are available from Eastbourne and Beachy Head, Birling Gap and East Dean.

Begin your journey in the heart of this historic maritime town and unveil its importance in history. This circular walk starts at Gravesend Town Pier, which was once the lively main port of embarkation for the passenger steamer to and from London. Pass by remains of historical interest, The Blockhouse which are foundations of an artillery fortification constructed as part of Henry VIII’s Device plan of 1539, in response to fears of an invasion of England by European countries. It was built here, at a strategic point along the River Thames. Milton Chantry, the oldest building in Gravesend and all that remains of a leper hospital built in 1322. Stroll along the promenade, stop and take a rest here, grab a drink at the cafe and gaze across the River Thames to Tilbury where cruise ships will be docked and picking up passengers. Leave the bustling town behind and join the Saxon Shore Way path. Now with the River Thames on one side and wildlife filled marshes on the other. Pass by  Shorne Marshes first, an old firing range featuring 700 ponds formed as the result of bomb craters. Spot breeding Lapwings and Redshanks here. Look out for grazing horses along this route too. Soon this route will take you inland and towards some train tracks and back towards Gravesend along the canal and National Cycle Network Route 1.

Despite being just 30 miles downriver from the capital, the Hoo Peninsula is a little visited area of North Kent. It’s a fairly isolated place, sandwiched between the lower reaches of the Thames to the north and the meandering Medway to the south. Hoo’s isolated position encouraged the development of industry, its marshlands attracted writers like Dickens and painters including Turner and Hogarth. With water on either side, Hoo has long been a strategic location for defence. Today this is a quiet place, yet its decommissioned power stations and derelict military forts tell stories of more turbulent times. On this short trail from the pretty village of Upnor, you’ll see the changing face of the river then go inland for a different perspective of scattered farmsteads and rolling fields.

The Kingsdown to Walmer walk ambles along the King Charles III England Coast Path, leaving Deal behind. This walk creates a great afternoon out with pubs, tearooms and Walmer Castle to visit along the way. Walmer is thought to be the site of Julius Caesar’s landing in Kent in 54 and 55 BC. Walmer Castle, built in the shape of the tudor rose by Henry VIII is now conserved by English Heritage. The official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in the 18th century, the Duke of Wellington resided here for 23 years, where he later died. You can see his original wellington boots if you decide to visit the castle. The Kingsdown to Walmer walk leads you on a path heads up the slopes of the Downs to Hawkshill Freedown. This  public area of open grassland with outstanding views across the surrounding countryside and the English Channel. On a clear day, you can clearly see the French coast. Hawkshill was once a World War I aerodrome and there is a memorial to the brave pilots who flew from here and were killed fighting in the skies over France.

This is an easy access walk, suitable for buggies and wheelchairs using the path along the sea wall with opportunities to take in wonderful sea views of the Thanet Coast. The entire length of the route is flat, a great route for all the family.  The highlight of this walk is the imposing towers of Reculver sometimes referred to as the Two Sisters or simply Reculver Towers.  The towers are the remains of a monastic church and sit within a Roman Fort, most of the fort and church itself have been washed out to sea, however, the towers and ruins are a fascinating place to explore. The grounds of Reculver are a perfect spot for a picnic and have wonderful views of the sea and surrounding coastline.  There are also benches along the route near the start in Minnis Bay. The walk follows the Viking Coastal Trail, and mainly uses the concrete surfaced sea-wall.  There will be lots of opportunity to spot bird life along the walk so don’t forget your binoculars! The Viking Coastal Trail is a multi-user route meaning cyclists can also use the trail.  Please be considerate to other trail users. This linear walk of 3.7 miles (6km) one-way, or 7.4 miles (12km) returning to the start. You can walk this route back from whence you came from Reculver to Minnis Bay, or if you prefer, or use public transport to return to your starting point.  Kent Connected can help you with directions by public transport.

Explore this tranquil nature reserve managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust on this North Kent circular walk. It is an area of over 200 acres, with freshwater dykes, open water ‘scrapes’, sea-wall and saltmarshes. It is part of the Swale Site of Special Scientific Interest and is an internationally important wetland because of the migratory, overwintering and breeding wetland birds it supports. Begin this short walk in the quaint village of Oare, where boatbuilding and fishing have been a way of life for centuries. As you follow the creek as it twists and turns towards the coast you will pass by small shipwrecks and mudflats. Continue further to enter the wildlife reserve and discover the true wildness of the marshes. Reach the conveniently placed Sea Wall Hide on the corner of the marshes. Take some time to rest, be still and peer out of the hide out onto the sea to spot migrating sea birds. Carry on walking with water on one side and the marshes on the other. Pass by the artesian well, one of several drilled for the explosives factories. The water, naturally filtered through chalk, is cool, delicious and highly refreshing for the weary walker. The next part of this walk takes you inland and through green fields and little country lanes. Arrive at Luddenham Church, A 12th Century church now disused. Make your way across farming fields to finally come full circle and arrive back in Oare. Why not quench your walker’s thirst with a well deserved stop in one of the freehouses – The Three Mariners or The Castle Inn.

There can be few more beautiful places to start a coastal walk than the 700 berth Royal Harbour Marina. Just 35 miles from the French coast and a skip and a hop away from attractions like the Sailor’s Church, Jacob’s Ladder in Military Road, the RNLI Lifeboat Station and the Royal Temple Yacht Club, almost everything you want to see is within easy reach. Some of the cosmopolitan attractions lining the picturesque waterfront are also Active Ramsgate partners with a range of exclusive offers and discounts. Enjoy cafes like the unfailingly warm and stylish Miles Bar on the harbour front and the aptly named Nice Things bijou gallery, craft and gift shop, inside The Custom House on the harbour side Broadstairs Cafe. But don’t get too comfortable because there’s a lot to enjoy and see as you pick up the Thanet Coastal Path, pass the Royal Victoria Pavilion and Ramsgate Sands and (at high tide) head on to King George VI Memorial Park. Large, grassy, and much beloved by dogs and their walkers, this all season attraction (originally the site of Sir Moses Montefiore’s home, East Cliff Lodge), can give a sense of wonderful seclusion, despite being only a few minutes gentle amble from the harbour. On your right, the channel and (on a good day!) a truly spectacular view of the French coastline. Depending on the tide, you can either follow the route up on to the cliff top or down on to the beach at Dumpton Gap where you will be rewarded with some stunning views – and a refreshing drink from a seasonal kiosk.

The Contra Trail – a gentle 6.1 mile (9.8km) walk that leads past the hustle and bustle of modern Ramsgate, down the gently undulating Isle of Thanet Coastal path and into the natural peace and tranquillity of Pegwell Bay, is everything a walk should be, and much more besides. And thanks to the wonderfully diverse range of pubs, restaurants and local attractions on the route, it’s one you can enjoy with a full belly and a spring in your step.

Your walk begins in the heart of the only British harbour that can claim to be ‘Royal’ – a unique honour that followed a visit to Ramsgate in 1820 by King George IV, who was so moved by the warmth and hospitality he received from his commoners, that he officially decreed the harbour to be ‘Royal’.

It will introduce you to a vibrant, modern town steeped in history at every turn. Elegant Georgian houses, traditional fishermen’s cottages, stylish terraced restaurants and busy pubs such as the Churchill Tavern, a local inn with an authentic country atmosphere, a wide-ranging selection of quality real ales and a complimentary starter or dessert with any main meal for all Active Ramsgate walkers.

Along the way you will pass the beautiful marina with its array of boats and yachts… with the start of the walk just a stone’s throw from the best chip shop in Britain. It’s official! A wealth of sights, old and new, all help create a perfect backdrop to this perfectly British walk.

Savour every moment though, because you will soon be leaving the hustle and bustle of this extraordinary harbour town behind as you make your way to the seclusion of the cliff top and begin the second stage of this inspired route into a wetland haven for birds.

A stunning circular walk that takes in Birling Gap, Seven Sisters and Friston Forest.

This walk is just under 8 miles / 13km in length and should take about 6 hours to walk.

The walk can be started from public transport using bus route 12 / 13 stopping at Exceat (Sieven Sisters Country Park), East Dean Village or Birling Gap.

Parking is available at Seven Sisters Country Park, East Dean or Birling Gap.

Refreshments are available from Birling Gap, East Dean and Seven Sisters Country Park.

Explore this 10km circular cycle route around Sheerness, this route is flat and perfect for families. It is mainly traffic free but with some sections on road. At a moderate speed they can be completed comfortably in under an hour, depending on your fitness, but with young children it will take longer. Why not stop along the way to enjoy the local attractions or spend a whole day exploring the area? Discover the hidden history of Sheerness and why is there a sunken ship just offshore. Stop off at Barton’s Point Coastal Park, a perfect spot to catch your breath, have a drink and snack before completing this route. Close to Barton’s Point Country Park, discover the Queenborough Lines or ‘canal bank’ as it is known locally. It is a mid 19th century ditch and mound fortification built to protect Sheerness Naval Dockyard from attack from inland. More recent concrete gun footings from both world wars can still be seen. Once on the coast path, take the opportunity to gaze out to sea as you may be able to spot the tops of the masts of the SS Richard Montgomery which sank off the Kent coast on its way to France in August of 1944. As you end your ride where you began why not explore the town a little, visit the Heritage Centre or Sheerness Clock Tower.   Please Note: At Neptune Terrace please dismount and use the ramp to wheel your bike down a small flight of steps. Please also take care when crossing Marine Parade to the coastal path. The nearest Station is Sheerness-on-Sea; from here you are signposted onto the route. This route is not suitable for towing children’s trailors due to several stops along the way.

You’ll start the South Foreland Lighthouse walk at the entrance to the White Cliffs visitor centre. Housing a wonderful cafe and information hub,  this clearly marked route along the edge of the North Downs is a great walk whatever the time of year. The South Foreland Lighthouse walk forms part of the King Charles III England Coast Path. It leads around Langdon Hole and Fan Point towards the National Trust’s South Foreland Lighthouse complete with 1950’s tearoom! This section of the cliff tops was an important part of England’s defences in the Second World War, and remnants of gun emplacements and other wartime structures are still visible. Langdon Hole was part of an underground system which also included a radio command centre, the underground tunnels, known as Fan Bay Deep are open for visitors at selected times. The distinctive South Foreland Lighthouse is bright white and was built in 1843, to mark the dangerous offshore banks of the Goodwin Sands. It was used by Guglielmo Marconi for his work with radiowaves and received the first ship-to-shore message from the East Goodwin lightship. It also received the first international radio transmission from Wimereux, in France, in 1899. The lighthouse, which is conserved by the National Trust, is open to the public between April and October. Be sure not to miss out on the wonderful 1950’s Mrs Knott’s tearoom for a slice of cake! Named after the family who used to live here with their 13 children, this vintage experience is a lovely addition to the South Foreland Lighthouse walk.

This walk which heads out from St Margaret's Bay incorporates some stunning cliff top walking with panoramic views of the channel and on a clear day to France. If you like military history, you'll be in for a treat - cross channel gun positions are still visible in the undergrowth, a sure reminder of Britain’s dark days at War. You'll also walk past the entrance of the well-known Pines Calyx the beautiful gardens here house a bronze statue of Winston Churchill as well as some very impressive tea rooms. You'll also see the writer of the well known James Bond books, Ian Fleming’s former home sitting on the cliff edge.  The unusually located white house can be seen from the beach at St Margaret's Bay.  Fleming based many of his stories on the local area which he loved so much. The distinctive whitewashed South Foreland lighthouse, owned by the National Trust is along this trail too. It’s well worth stopping off to discover more about the lighthouse which was home to more than five generations of lighthouse keepers. This easy going walk meanders along country lanes and starts and ends in the pretty St Margaret’s Bay.