Extra Walk 330 – Aylesford to Maidstone
Length: 19 km (11.8 miles). Toughness: 5/10
09:55 Faversham train from St Pancras International (Stratford 10:02), changing at Strood (arr 10:28, dep 10:34) for the Maidstone West train from Platform 3, arriving Aylesford at 10:50. Buy a return to Maidstone stations.
There are direct trains back to Victoria from Maidstone East at xx:04 & xx:29. Alternatively, you can travel back via Strood to St Pancras from M.West at xx:03 & xx:33 (or M.Barracks two minutes later). It's just over an hour on both routes.
The Medway Valley between Rochester and Maidstone bears the scars of its industrial past and is rather hemmed in by main roads, but if you can blot these out there are some interesting sights dotted around to make this new walk worthwhile: a restored priory and medieval churches, a vineyard, a panoramic view from Blue Bell Hill, “Kent's Stonehenge”, a pleasant riverside stretch and two attractive country parks.
You should reach the suggested lunch place in Burham around 12:30-12:45, or half an hour later if you do the morning's optional extension. The Butcher's Block is an up-market restaurant/bar, so call ahead if you want to be sure of a table. There are a couple of alternative places further on (though one requires a short detour) and other places where you can stop for some mid-afternoon refreshment. At the end of the walk you'll have rather too much choice if you venture into Maidstone's town centre before heading for one of its stations, so do let us know if you find somewhere particularly appealing.
You'll need to bring the walk directions from the Aylesford to Maidstone walk page. T=swc.330
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2 comments:
N=10, W=cloudy_then_sunny, Interesting and varied walk from the Medway riverside in Aylesbury up on to the North downs. The Butchers Block bar and restaurant in Burham was welcoming, provided good food and is not too expensive. In the afternoon there were panoramic views across Kent and the impressive remains of a long barrow. The tea room in Cobtree Manor Park stays open until 17:00 for tea and cake. Six went on to Maidstone for real ale at the Flower Pot while the rest of us walked back along the river to Aylesford. All agreed this is an enjoyable new walk.
Aylesford not Aylesbury
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