tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post2138948257210440062..comments2024-03-28T11:16:38.801+00:00Comments on SWC - This Week's Walks: Sunday New Year's Eve Walk – A Canter from Canterbury to Sturry (or back to Canterbury)Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11395064086819994526noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-46345497417029271572018-01-01T20:04:04.696+00:002018-01-01T20:04:04.696+00:00n=5 w=grey-but-dry-in-morning-turning-to-persisten...n=5 w=grey-but-dry-in-morning-turning-to-persistent-rain-after-lunch<br /><br />5 off the train at Canterbury West for one final walk in 2017. We set out in dry but gloomy conditions and made our way out of Canterbury through some pretty uninspiring residential areas. Once out of the city, the path was clear and easy to follow, large arable fields on either side, but happily, we were walking on tarmac rather than trudging through mud.<br /><br />Tables at the Rose Inn in Wickhambreaux were all reserved save one small table. Three of us managed to squeeze around that and one other was accommodated at the bar, with the one picnicker joining for a drink. It is a very pretty little pub, the food was good, and the staff friendly and accommodating.<br /><br />It was raining as we left the pub and it continued to rain all the way to Sturry. Paths were clear and well-marked, but conditions muddy and slippy. We passed through a farm with what seemed like endless lines of polytunnels, bare of both plastic and plants at this time of year, and on through an apple orchard. The afternoon has some lovely sections through woodland. Two, and possibly a third, finished at Sturry, with the other two continuing on for a Canterbury finish. The rain eased off and we were soon in the outskirts of the city. The return into Canterbury was better than the outward route, through more woods, and eventually along the River Stour with the Cathedral. We could have easily made the 15:25 train, but opted to take tea at Patisserie Valerie (where they'd run out of all cakes except fruit tarts). <br /><br />A not too strenuous walk, with pretty villages and buildings along the way. Might make an interesting day out in summer/early autumn when all the various crops and fruits could be seen.Karennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-28484778196557551602017-12-27T16:41:46.545+00:002017-12-27T16:41:46.545+00:00Be sure to use the pdf directions https://www.walk...Be sure to use the pdf directions https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walk/canterbury-circular/SWC_Walk_121_Canterbury_Circular.pdf<br /><br />Of the three lunch pubs, the Duke William is the largest. The Rose is medium sized, quite popular, but a charming place. The Red Lion in Stodmarsh is small and charming: definitely ring to check they have space before relying on eating there, however.<br /><br />In Fordwich, given that it is winter and you are unlikely to be spending time in the Fordwich Arms' charming riverside garden, the nearby George and Dragon is a better choice for tea: when last I looked it did puddings in the afternoon, while the Fordwich Arms only does hot drinks: it is also a cosy place.<br /><br />Fordwich/Sturry makes a good place to finish. If you want to complete the walk to Canterbury and the light is fading, the cycle path route mentioned in italics is perfectly doable in the dark, I would sayWalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09314024151810191831noreply@blogger.com