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This Week's Walks - Archive

Please see the Saturday Walker's Club This Week's Walks page.

This is an archive of walks done by the Saturday Walker's Club. You should only need to use this page if the SWC website is down.

Wednesday 20 January 2016

Midweek day walk - A Chilly constitutional around Chilham

Chilham Circular

A climb into the Kentish Downs and a descent to two historic houses

Book 3* Walk 138  *Online only

Length :  16 km or 10 miles

Toughness :  3 out of 10

Getting there :  Catch the 10:08 am train from London St. Pancras International (10:15 am from Stratford International) to Chilham change at Ashford (platform 5 to 6)

Meeting point :  Chilham Station at 11:15

Tickets :  Buy a cheap day return to Chilham

Brief Description

With the slightly longer days, I thought this was a good time to post something a little bit more adventurous. I was also looking for a walk where the mud quotient might be more manageable. We'll see !
The only Lunch time Pub stop is the lovely family run Compasses Inn. As I understand it, there may have been some friction between some walkers and the owners in the past. So a little bit of tact and diplomacy may come in useful for folks to get fed.  I would suggest someone phones from Chilham before the group sets out to check all is well for a lunchtime meal.

You may find full details of this walk here and a printable PDF here

It may be prudent to bring a torch to cover all eventualities.

Suggested Lunch stop

The Compasses Inn at Crundale t: 01227 700 300

Suggested Tea stops

Shelley's Tea Room t: 01227 730 303 (Open to 4:00 pm on weekdays)

The White Horse t: 01227 730 355 (Might be closed)

The Woolpack Inn t: 01227 730 351

I'd suggest you allow 15 minutes to get from the tea stop to the station.

Map

OS Explorer : 137

Return train times

Trains return from Chilham at 14 minutes past the hour. Change at Ashford for the High Speed train to Stratford and St. Pancras International ( Total journey time 1 hour 9 minutes ) or stay on the train to go to London Victoria ( Total journey time 1 hour 53 minutes)  

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

For less affluent walkers ie those taking the slow option there seems to be a train which goes in aroundabout way to chilham.
It leaves Waterloo East at 9. 16

jfk

Marion said...

Sorry folks but Even with this faster train its 3 hours each way for me so Im out with the Ramblers if the minus 3 temps and fog have improved. Am still recovering from slipping over in the mud last week and gouging my hand and arm on barbed wire! Miraculously my knees were not affected which is a miracle in itself.

Anonymous said...

n=6 plus 1 canine
w=cold-with-sunny-spells

3 arrived by car, 3 by high speed train. Lovely Winter vistas. winding paths through woods and across fields which were not as muddy as on previous walks due to the colder temperatures having solidified the earth. Some cold mists hanging low on the hills just enhanced the views and the weak sunshine was warming. lovely lunch @ the Compasses Inn, they were awarded Good Food award last year. Impressive Chilham castle, less impressive present occupant. Hot drinks and cake at Shelley's tea room which appeared to be a popular place in the upmarket centre of Chilham. Nice walk in lovely company! thanks to AD