SWC 420: Faversham Circular
Travel: Take the 9:40AM Ramsgate-bound train from London Victoria, arriving Faversham at 10:50. Return trains are at 37 minutes past the hour.
Distance: 12 miles/19km, with a shorter option of 9 miles/14.5km available
Difficulty: 2 out of 10
This walk combines and extends two published walks promoted by Faversham Town Council. The initial leg to Oare is a loop around Ham Marshes, an isolated area hemmed in by Faversham Creek and Oare Creek. After a lunch, it explores Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park, where the remains of its massive structures are scattered around a patch of woodland outside the village. Then, a quiet country lane leads you to the hamlet of Luddenham, with its impressively large medieval church of St Mary now seemingly marooned in a farmyard. The full walk continues through farmland and past Uplees Marshes to the Swale, the tidal channel between the mainland and the Isle of Sheppey and loops around Oare Marshes Nature Reserve. More information on the walk and the instructions and GPX can be found here.
Elevensies and Lunch: First up for elevensies is the recommended, tumbledown Shipwright's Arms (01795-590088) in Hollowshore, like something out of Dickens, it has a limited menu (burgers, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, etc.), but it does have an interesting range of drinks.
Having quenched our thirst, lunch proper can be had twenty minutes later, in Oare at either The Castle (01795-533674) and the more upmarket Three Mariners (01795-533633). Lighter fare is available at The Cafe by the Creek (01795-537985).
Tea: There are many possible refreshment places in Faversham, such as The Refinery at 122 West Street open to 9pm.
Look forward to seeing you on the walk! I have not done it before and it sounds like fun!
#2026-09-27T09:40
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3 comments:
n=5 on this relaxed and enjoyable outing under w=initially-sunny-skies-changing-to-overcast-with-a-few-sprinkles at the end. Group cohesion was not great, early on we seemed to break into a 1, 3 and 1 formation. We did regroup at the very atmospheric Shipwwright's Arms where 3 had elevensies and 2 were quite keen to have lunch with positive views on their home-made offerings. After about 30 minutes we assumed a 3 and 2 formation, with the three having aperitifs setting off for the Castle where they enjoyed their meals on the patio. After lunch, the group of 3 made a thorough exploration of the gunpowder works which were very interesting indeed and also explored a rather derelict-looking Luddenham hamlet with its impressive church. It was here that one who had been mentioning the "s" word on several occasions, finally made a break for it on a more direct route back to Faversham, leaving just 2 to finish the walk through the marshes with a stop at the bird hide. As we were heading back through Faversham for the train a few sprinkles started to fall -- but were hardly worth the effort of a waterproof.... we opted to head straight for the 5:37pm rather than stop in a cafe... A fun relaxed day out!
6 walkers in total. 6th arrived 30 mins late after missing train. Ambled through Faversham (where Bob Geldorf has a large house, it seems), arrived at pubs in Oare, no reports of walkers passing through, did the Oare Marshes walk in reverse, still no walkers coming in opposite direction, only egrets, stopped at Three Mariners on the way back, and then at chaotic secondhand bookshop on road up to the station. An enjoyable day, but a pity about missing the train!
N=6
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