Distance: 11.1 miles/17.9 km to Folkestone OR 13 Miles/21 km to Dover
Difficulty: 7 out of 10 to
Folkestone OR 8 out of 10 to Dover
OR t=swc.93
SWC 51: A
relaxed sunny Sunday by the sea
Distance:
8.3 miles/13.4 km to
Folkestone, which can be reduced to 7/11.2 if not going into Folkestone Harbour
OR extended to 13.5 or 14.1 miles/21.7 or 22.7 km by adding the Folkstone
Circular (SWC) as suggested in the walk instructions
Difficulty: 5 out of 10
Transport: Take either the 9:43 AM Dover train
from London Charing Cross (9:50 London Bridge) (no change) OR the 10:12 AM Dover train from London St. Pancras (10:19 Stratford International),
changing in Ashford onto the Charing Cross train (arrive 10:50 depart 11:05) arriving
in Sandling at 11:16. Return trains from Folkestone
are on the hour and from Dover at 49 past the preceding hour for the fast train
(and 11 past the hour in Folkestone and on the hour from Dover for the slow
train).
So, as it happens, we have two walks that cover
the ground from Sandling to Folkestone….both with their own charms…..One take
the high road on the dramatic downs along the North Downs Way and the
other a more relaxed route across some downland with nice views before dropping
to the sea front for loads of swimming opportunities….The two routes
share just a brief outbound stretch….but you could always reconnect in
Folkestone….
In Folkestone, it is well worth exploring the harbour
arm – in particular, the Gormley sculpture on the lower deck. For
the more energetic, you can carry along into Dover past a number of interesting
WW2 installations – this option is easier on the high road, as you will already
be on the ridge….
More information on SWC 93 can be found here.
As the instructions are sparse, it may be useful to print the map and/or
download the GPX file. More information on SWC 51 can be found here and
its extension around Folkstone on the Folkestone Circular with SWC 13 here.
Lunch: On the high road: The Gatekeeper
Inn in Etchinghill (about 5.5 km/4 miles into the walk), food served
Sunday 12-3pm. Booking advised!
On the low road: Earl of Clarendon on
steps leading to the sea or about half a mile further on the Ship Inn on
Sandgate high street/sea promenade.
Tea: Plenty of options in Folkestone…..the refurbished
harbour arm in particular has a number of interesting hostelries…Fewer options
in Dover, but there are a number of cafes and pubs speckled around….
Enjoy the walk and/or swim whichever you choose!
1 comment:
A select n=6 alighted from the train onto the Sandling platform under w=hot-sun. It only took us a minute or 2 to determine we were all keen for a day of swimming in the sea, rather than an arduous walk along the North Downs, so we all set off on the low road...Approaching Sandgate was like being transported to the south of France...blue sea, tropical plants, tiled villas....In fact, the air was soooo clear, you actually could see details of the French country side across the channel...really stunning...Down the steps to the sea we went desperate to take that first plunge into the sea...and magical it was....cooling and calming....five had lengthy swims followed by a stint lying on hot shingle -- almost like a hot stone massage, while one went ahead and secured a table at the Ship Inn....Eventually we dragged ourselves from the beach to join our companion for a very tasty meal, most continuing with the French fantasy by having moules.....After lunch, we lost one to the beach at Sandgate....the other 5 carried on to the Mermaid beach where 4 had a second lengthy swim and one carried on to Folkestone....The final four did a circuit around the Folkestone pier arm, impressed with further new tasteful development before heading for the 7pm train....3 had planned to take the fast train but 2 of those found the hordes spiling into an already busy 6 coach train untenable...so opted to join our slow train companion 10 minutes later on the rather civilized slow coach. A great day at the seaside in good company!
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