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
Transport: Take the 10:09 AM Margate train from London St. Pancras, changing in Ashford (arrive 10:47; depart 11:02) arriving in Sandling at 11:13. Return trains from Folkestone are on the hour and from Dover at 49 past the preceding hour – same train passes through both stations (Dover then Folkestone 11 minutes later).
This walk mostly follows the well way-marked North Downs Way with fine views throughout. For those wanting a shorter walk, you can descend the ridge into Folkestone for a swim or just to explore the harbour arm – the Gormley sculpture on the lower deck of the harbour arm is well worth a look if you have a not already seen it. For the more energetic, you can carry along the ridge past a number of interesting WW2 installations before descending into Dover. More information about the walk and the various routes can be found here. As the instructions are sparse, it may be useful to print the map and/or download the GPX file.
Lunch: The Gatekeeper Inn (01303 864 345) in Etchinghill, (3 miles/5 km into the walk and 5 minutes off route), serves food until 16:00…large groups should call ahead….
Tea: Plenty of options in Folkestone…..the refurbished harbour arm in particular has a number of interesting hostelries (including a champagne bar in the lighthouse at the end)…Fewer options in Dover, but there are a number of cafes and pubs speckled around…so should not die of thirst....
Enjoy the walk!
T=swc.93
1 comment:
n=11 w=sunny-intervals-and-breezy
A very pleasant walk, mostly along the North Downs Way and good views all around. Some thought these were marred in the afternoon by the sight of the Channel tunnel and all its surroundings but if you kept your eyes to the horizon, well there was the sight of the sea stretching to the Dungeness headland to delight you. Lots of blackberries enjoyed en route. Most stopped for a drink or a meal at The Gatekeeper (reported to be good value) and some later stopped again on the ridge above it which made a good picnic spot. When we reached the deciding point for the Dover or Folkestone ending, three turned right to Dover, seven turned left to descend to Sunny Sands Beach and a dip in the sea. One by the way had gone on ahead after lunch and wasn't seen again. The tide was pretty low so it was ideal really for those who like a sandy beach gently shelving. An SWC regular gave us a nice surprise by popping up at the sands with her friend and joining us in the water. We split again at the end: five off to get the 6pm train, and the rest to enjoy the evening on the harbour arm and contemplation of the Gormley statue, and no doubt contemplation of a glass or two.
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