Start with a loop around Ham Marshes, an isolated area between two creeks. After a lunch stop in either Hollowshore or Oare, continue to Oare Gunpowder Works, where remains of that industry can be seen in what is now a country park. Its Visitor Centre explains more and details the local wildlife.
Then, a quiet country lane leads to the hamlet of Luddenham, and its medieval church, where, you have a choice of endings. The longer one takes you on a circuit of Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, the shorter one doesn't. Both endings return through Oare and Faversham.
There are plenty of opportunities for bird-watching so bring your bins. (Last year, the Oare Marsh contingent reported seeing avocets, egrets, and a seal).
Finally, Faversham is an attractive market town with many historic buildings. Check out this history trail to find a few.
Trains:
The cheaper, slower option from Victoria is recommended, the 09:40 Ramsgate train, arriving Faversham at 10:51.
You could get the 9:20 from St Pancras (09:27 Stratford Int.) arriving Faversham 10:26, but it is only marginally quicker, and costs more. And you’d have to wait half an hour for the others.
Trains return at xx:37 and xx:44 to Victoria, and xx:00 to St Pancras. You need a Highspeed ticket or supplement for St Pancras.
Lunch:
First up, the remote, tumbledown, Shipwright's Arms (01795-590088) in Hollowshore. Oldie worldie, like something out of Dickens, it has a limited menu (burgers, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, etc.) but it does have an interesting range of real ales and the like. It doesn’t take bookings, being purely walk-in.
Twenty minutes further, in the village of Oare, there’s the Castle (01795-533674) a traditional pub, and the more upmarket Three Mariners (01795-533633). There’s also The Cafe by the Creek (01795-537985). Advisable to book for any of these.
For DIY blow-outs, there is a picnic area in the Gunpowder Works.
Tea:
There are many possible refreshment places in Faversham (see notes). Most tea shops close at 4 on Sunday, but Café Guild at 48 Court Street (01795-590077) is open to 5.
Nearby is Faversham's oldest surviving pub, the Bear with its quaint old corridor.
On the way to the station, there's a Wetherspoon's, the Leading Light (01795-535075) and the Railway Hotel (01795-501550).
Directions: here T=swc.420
2 comments:
N=6 on a day that w=started-hot-got-cloudier-and-breezier 5 absolute legends. did the whole shebang - Ham Marshes, Gunpowder Works, Oare Marshes. 1, almost as legendary, did the shorter finish from Luddenham. Not only that, we all took the longer route round Ham Marsh to Hollowshore.
We stopped at the dimly lit “Dickensian” Shipwright's which lived up to its description by declaring modern technology to be ‘crap’. (A card machine played up). A pleasant stay in their garden was made even pleasanter when a kindly benefactor bought Mr Tiger a second pint and let him have a few chips. Magic!
Then on to the Gunpowder Works past some mean looking cows (they weren’t).
Luddenham Church, which has been open in recent years, was closed with a “ by appointment only” sign on the door.
An overgrown section led to Oare Marshes where we didn’t see any seals. A promising lump in the distance turned out to be a bit of wood. There were however plenty of egrets and some furry caterpillars. And lapwings. And other birds.
By now a strong breeze.had developed and you could almost forget it was hot.
2 stopped at the Castle for a restorative. (No prizes for guessing one of them), then made their way to the Leading Light to catch up with the others. More alcohol was consumed there. It was hot, right?
So ended another grand day out.
It was a very convivial day with excellent company! The chance to sit in the bird hide in the afternoon was much appreciated, as was the chance to do some birding. Snape were spotted. Very good sandwiches at the first pub apparently, hot food, not so much.
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