Length: 17.7 km (11 miles) Options to go longer or shorter (see the Directions)
Toughness: 6 out of 10
London St Pancras: 10-12 hrs Southeastern high speed to Margate
Arrive Ashford International: 10-50 hrs Change trains
Leave Ashford International: 11-05 hrs Southeastern stopping service from Victoria to Ramsgate
Arrive Wye: 11-11 hrs
Note: The Southeastern stopping service to Ramsgate leaves London Victoria at 09-25 hrs, before Senior Railcards come into play, but this service is good for those joining this train at Bromley South at 09-42 hrs. You stay on the train at Ashford International as it continues on to Wye
Return
Chilham to St Pancras: 11 mins past the hour, changing at Ashford International
Chilham to Victoria: as above, but stay on train at Ashford International as it continues on to Bromley South and Victoria
Rail ticket: Buy a day return to Chilham. You will need to pay the high speed supplement between St Pancras and Ashford International, and return.
Of our "mix and match" walks, today's combination is arguably one of the best as it incorporates the better (morning) leg of the Wye Circular walk with the delightful afternoon leg of the Chilham Circular walk. If you haven't tried this combination before I recommend it to you.
Leaving Wye railway station you cross the River Great Stour before walking along some residential streets which take you to Wye School. From here you take the North Downs Way (NDW) up through woodland onto Crundale Downs with its Crown Memorial, to enjoy some fine views. You stay on top of the downs in the open for a while before you leave the NDW, crossing over a field to take a track which takes you down to the hamlet of Crundale. Its Church of St Mary is worth a visit. From here its road walking up a steep hill to the village of Sole Street. The village pub - The Compasses Inn - is in fact an award-winning gourmet restaurant and to have lunch here you need to book ahead some days before. They do not usually accept walk-ins, although you are welcome to try. They will serve drinks, though, either for you to consume in their small bar area or in their extensive gardens. As this is the only eatery on today's posted walk I suggest everyone brings a picnic.
From Sole Street we switch walks, from the Book 1 walk to SWC 138. After a short woodland section you come out onto open hillside, for more lovely views. You eventually drop down to a quiet country road which takes you to the A28 road, which you cross with care. You are now in Godmersham Park, which you walk through to eventually rejoin the NDW . You walk alongside the high brick wall of Chilham Castle then up into the picturesque village. I believe what was the de rigueur tea place - Shelley's Tea Room - remains closed and up for sale, but there are two pubs nearby, one in the village centre and the other on the route to Chilham railway station. Allow at least twenty five minutes from the village centre to the railway station.
Recommended !
T=1.53
1 comment:
#9 disembarked at Wye along with about 15 women from a London based French group who also walk every Wednesday. Conditions started sunny, but clouded over as the day progressed and it was chilly at times. After a stiff climb up to Wye Crown millennium stone we regrouped and made our way to the church at Crundale where we had a picnic lunch. We enjoyed a pleasant afternoon stroll over to Chilam, where most of the group caught the 16.12 train back to Ashford, with a couple stopping for a drink at The White Horse.
As always,thanks to Marcus for posting.
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