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
SWC: 51: A
relaxed sun day 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
Difficulty: 5 out of 10
Transport: Take the 10:37 AM Dover train from London
St. Pancras (10:44 Stratford International),
changing in Ashford (arrive 11:14; depart 11:37) arriving in Sandling at 11:48.
Return trains from Folkestone are on the
hour and from Dover at 49 past the preceding hour – same train passes through
both stations.
So, as it happens, we have two walks that cover
the ground from Sandling to Folkestone….both with their own charms…..One takes 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 seafront at Sandgate 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 (with detailed instructions).
Lunch: Probably
best to bring a picnic – but both options do have lunch recommendations in the
walk notes….
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 whichever you choose!
T=swc.93
2 comments:
n=12 at Sandling split into 9 for the Low Road and an intrepid 3 for the High Road. A steep climb up Tolsford Hill by the 3 in w=very-hot-and-sunny- weather was rewarded with a cooling breeze and a beautiful hilltop walk (with one other steep climb) interrupted by an alfresco lunch. We walked along the top of the Downs all the way to the Valiant Sailor with great views over Folkestone and the Channel Tunnel terminus. After a welcome drink, 1 elected to carry on to Dover, the other 2 took a bus down to Folkestone, 1 to rejoin the Low Roaders, the other to catch a train. A great day.
To add from the low-roaders, I think most headed for the coast along this varied (and blessedly somewhat sheltered) route with one thought in mind given the temperatures....breaking up into smaller groups along the way...
Upon arrival at Sandgate, one went to the pub, one carried directly on to Folkestone and most others found their way to the beach and were welcomed with a very high tide of clear, cooling water with gentle swells....some had lunch, some had another swim and some had both....During all this activity, we were joined by two others for a swim...
We eventually managed to pull ourselves from the beach and carried along towards Folkestone -- some headed straight there, some had tea at the Mermaid cafe and some had a swim at the mermaid beach...Back in Folkestone, one regrouped with a "high roader" for a final swim and little jaunt around the harbour arm before catching the 19:00....
10 swimmers in total....not sure how many total swims....but quite a few....
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