At the end of a very long, very straight, very hot, very noisy and very boring walk, I reached the outskirts of Sandwich. In fact, this is a replica of a Viking ship, The Hugin that landed here from Denmark, in 1949, to mark the 1500 year anniversary of another Viking landing that led to the establishment of a Saxon kingdom in Kent. The Mary Towneley Loop, Trail talk: Wainwrights Coast to Coast- a new National Trail, Trail talk: dry stone walls on the Pennine Bridleway, Trail talk: Pennine Bridleway. So when the option came to walk up onto the clifftop I took it. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. As a way to avoid the long stretch on the A256, I followed the Saxon Shore Way out of Sandwich, picking up the west bank of the Stour. Nice coastal walking opportunities - Review of Sandwich - Tripadvisor One of the most attractive circular leisure cycle routes in Kent, covering 32 miles (51.4km), taking in the coast of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate before heading inland through the surrounding villages. There is no bridge any more in Sandwich. While some were covered by scrub, the majority were poking out, many still with a coil of metal in the top through which barbed wire would have been passed. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. They seemed very young, very excitable and very lost. On this bank holiday Saturday, lots of people are out and, although I enjoy the company, this must be an awe-inspiring walk if you are alone with rocky shoreline, cliffs above, and no development to spoil the view. Use the links below to see details of the Secretary of States decision to approve Natural Englands proposals and for guidance on your rights and responsibilities if the ECP passes through your land. Yes, Im going to head down there to investigate so that I can update the route accordingly. While walking to the gatehouse, the man from the car rejoined me, explaining he had better escort me as *** gets a bit worked up over unexpected visitors occasionally. Best Time for a Margate to Ramsgate Coastal Walk Even more fun fact: Ramsgate has its own meridian line. I only saw it from above two days ago, but the Great Wall seemed to have a few gaps. Your email address will not be published. Walking - Visit Ramsgate Saxon brothers Hengist and Horsa in 449AD and Augustine of Canterbury in 579AD, who converted much of England to Christianity. I got off and switched to the Ramsgate train. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. You will be blessed indeed! The train berth returned to similar military use during the following World War. It travels northwards along Kent's coastline, passing spectacular chalk cliffs, sandy beaches, bays and rock pools to reach Reculver. There remains many hundreds of miles of this path for me to walk elsewhere in England, and it is doubtful that I ever will walk it all as some sections do not particularly attract me. I attempt it but soon find I am splashing through water. Will you follow in their footsteps? Theres an artist fairly local to me whose work I sometimes see when I do the Hampshire Artists Trail each August who paints industrial structures. I stop at a cafe and sit outside for lunch, enjoying fish cakes and dry cider. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Dover Place That hut is empty today.. If the bridge is up and the footbridge is not accessible, the trail is approximately 2 miles, taking around 60 minutes to complete. All painted different colours, lining the beach at the bottom of the cliffs. This is Bleak House of Dickens fame. Ramsgate to Margate via Broadstairs and Botany Bay walk Thank you. After climbing over a stile, I continued along the path and rounded a corner to find. Never in my life has this happened. Have you ever witnessed Seals in their natural habitat? This resulted in many of the towns streets being named in commemoration of that history. That peculiar British invention had evolved into the largest car carrying hovercaft in history, and they ran from here. Just a replica. Also, I didnt start my tracker from Ramsgate station, but rather from the coast. A pill box and many pyramidal anti-tank pimples survived beside my path, along with a long line of some 300 anti-tank cyclinders. The next section is a bit boring. All had that old world feeling but in their own very unique way. The plant closed in the nineties and the cooling towers pulled down in 2012. But by the time I thought all this through, it was too late. The Secretary of State also approved modifications to the original proposals. Fun fact: Broadstairs was a favourite holiday spot for Charles Dickens. England Coast Path - Kent - Explore Kent The port included a large hoverport terminal building, maintenance workshops, offices, all now gone, as well as hovercraft landing pad, access road and parking areas, the only remaining features. Coastalwalker.co.uk walking around the British coastline, very SLOWLY. This section of the walk from Broadstairs to Ramsgate, on the cliff top, was a lot prettier. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. (fyi. Ramsgate to Margate Hike. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. There are maps of the stretch in the original report on the Natural England website in the National Archives. From Folkestone through to Dover ramblers can take in the stunning sight of the white cliffs. The beach huts are old and slightly shabby, the houses are Victorian. It's an 8ish mile section of the England Coast path and is also part of the Viking coast trail. Sandwich to Deal to St Margarets atCliffe, Stage 42. Thank you so much for letting me know! 36 stunning Kent parks and green spaces so beautiful they've been awarded a Green Flag. Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, England Coast Path: manage your land in the coastal margin, Coastal access: Section 52 notice for Ramsgate to Folkestone, Coastal Access in Kent: Folkestone to Ramsgate, all stretches in preparation around Englands coast, southeastcoastalaccess@naturalengland.org.uk, England Coast Path in the south east of England, England Coast Path from Hunstanton to Sutton Bridge: comment on proposals, Coastal access in Cornwall: plan of the Penzance to St Mawes stretch, England Coast Path: Shoreham-by-Sea to Eastbourne, England Coast Path: plan of the Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth stretch. We did the walk this week and can concur with most of what you say. But I like Broadstairs. The land itself was leased from Thanet District Council who still own it. The path aims to stay as close to the coast as possible. Looking at a satellite image of Pegwell Bay today not only shows the surviving approach roads and parking, but also the concrete passenger loading and unloading on the aprons, layout of the hoverport buildings and the shaped profile of two hovercraft bays where servicing was undertaken. Finnish word 'mittari', from meter/gauge/indicator, or device for measuring. Scuba Diving Training, kayaking tours, Air gun and Air rifle cylinder fills, Paddle Boarding, Kite Surfing coming soon. I dont know. Or you can complete the entire gorgeous walk in sections, stopping for an overnight stay along the way and really taking in the beauty of Kent. They stand and argue. Do I know the way to Dover? The Ramblers' Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Indeed, Richborough cooling towers are gone and the vast old Pfizer site, which I had to visit on business a few days before the walk, is now a mass of biotech start-ups. I reckon those steps you walked down to the beach just before Broadstairs could well have been the steps made famous bu the book the 39 Steps! Sadly, early media forecasts that the hovercraft services from the Kent coast to France were here to stay were wrong. Slightly further north there is Faversham to Whitstable, and Whitstable to Herne Bay. John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich did not have time to sit for a meal due to his gambling habits, his valet was ordered to bring him meat tucked between two pieces of bread. The Kentish coastline is probably one of our county's greatest and most famous features. Surviving colour footage is fascinating. Embarkation and disembarkation was swift as hovercraft could be boarded from the rear and exited from the front. Margate had a sort of retro feel to it, as I walked to the beach passing by a place called Dreamland, an old amusement park.something I will be coming back for. It hadnt been the prettiest of walks today either. More visible than this however, for many years the most noticeable sight on this stretch of coastline were the Richborough Cooling Towers. There appears to be a path through the reeds. Trail talk: A coastal walk in the wake of vikings and hovercraft I plan to walk to Margate day one, then Deal day 2. Short ladders are propped up against the concrete of the promenade, giving access to the beach. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Thank you, Zoe, for your blog. It can be surprising how much weight a cable can add to electronics carried on trail. The track narrows and becomes a path. You will walk on a mix of asphalt and walking trails. I feel oddly embarrassed as I confess to the sunbathing man I cant find a way through. We detoured to see the seals basking in the headland of the River Stour and at another point followed a very overgrown path that led us through the Ford parking lot (massive) where we were kindly and politely escorted to the last 3 mile walk into Sandwich. If you like to keep your feet firmly on the ground start with a round of golf or hit a few balls down at the golf range, finished off with a round or two in the 19th hole of course! Yes the stalker was unexpected. No one really knows what ships from the 5th century looked like. An alternative route along Ramsgate Road, Sandwich is for use when the Wharf and an area north of Kingfisher Sluice are being used for commercial purposes incompatible with public access. Sandwich is a lovely place I always try to give it a visit if Im in the area. So I tried to lose him, then got on a train back to London. Despite the Secretary of State approving a coastal route, a land owner altered his use of Richborough Quay and the coastal route was subsequently diverted inland along a horrible length of the fast and noisy A256. The power station was originally coal powered, converted to oil in 1971, then to a particularly polluting fuel- orimulsion. Further development increased their carrying capacity. By using our site you agree to our use of cookies. I will tell you now, this was not my favourite coastline walk (due to the last 3miles walking next to the road), but it has definitely been the most dramatic. You can contact the group or leader if in doubt. Floor 9, International House Coastal access rights came into force along this stretch of coast on 19. Passenger coach services to France operated direct from London. Length 7.8 miElevation gain 938 ftRoute type Loop. Can be challenging if the wind is against you. The route, known as the Beach Roamer, is 11 kilometres. Its quite funny that this day, of all days is when it had to happen (it was a false alarm btw). In some places the path heads inland, usually only for short distances. They cant stand still long enough to pay much attention to the map and cycle off, pedalling madly. I reached the nature reserve and passed a couple of birdwatchers standing beside their scopes. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I continued along the one that looked the most official. The lake has a reputation for large carp, including Big Girl, a Mirror Carp weighing around 39lb that gets caught a couple of times each year. Once you reach the end, follow the path right and take the first left into a park. Today we have part thirty two of the Kent Coast Walk!On this walk we walk from Ramsgate to Sandwich! Deal and Sandwich are the next destinations where you can view the immense birdlife of the Sandwich Flats. Perched a mile or two out of Ramsgate, on the coast road towards Sandwich, this Shepherd Neame pub, which dates back to the early 18th century, boasts a destination selling point: a vast sunset . Photos (400) Directions. If you fancy something which also features a sandy beach and Medieval town then I recommend Rye to Camber Sands. From Victoria, it is slightly longer. The Walk From Margate To Ramsgate Via Broadstairs - England Coast Path and your old railway bridge was apparently actually over one of the hoverports roads. This was not something I wasnt expecting. The gate on the E side is spiky and cant be climbed, but the lattice side of the bridge has such big openings that you can step through and slither down an embankment to a dirt track which leads in a minute, with no further obstacle, to a public recycling centre that exit sto the A256, about a mile S of the roundabout where the Pegwell Bay Road goes off. Visit the Old Lighthouse and take a ride along the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway. Travel restrictions meant I could not travel far but exercise was permissable. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. They look a bit odd like bollards you get in a roadway to deter traffic. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. I have 9 days free to walk so may carry on into Sussex And thank you for your kind words about my blog. Im redoing Kent. Kent Coast Walk - Ramsgate to Sandwich! (Pegwell Bay) I followed this river in to Sandwich when I completed the Saxon Shore Way in 2020. Or if you want cliffy with more of a challenge, I would recommend the Seven Sisters walk, or the walk from Folkestone to Dover. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Ramsgate to Margate via Broadstairs and Botany Bay walk Easy coastal walk with fine cliff top views, 3 classic seaside resorts, and a number of stunning sandy bays and coves that make it a great swimming walk CoastEasyKentMy FavouritesSwimmingTop 10 walks in South East England Botany Bay 31-Aug-18 Saturdaywalker on Flickr A great idea. They could be seen from miles away across the flat landscape. Some sections follow long established coastal walks, and may be signed for these walks. I follow the A256, heading for Sandwich. If you want more cliffy type walks, you could try walking from Newhaven to Brighton which also has an under cliff path. He was right, the man in charge at the gatehouse was a bit arsey with me and demanded my personal details. I cant seem to find this anywhere on other sites either (maybe Ive not looked long enough) but how long is the walk from Ramsgate to Sandwich? Along the way walkers should look for the National Trail Acorn logo or signs for the England Coast Path. (LogOut/ I smiled, politely said Hi, ducked under the barrier and walked out and up the short feeder road, returning to the alternative official route along the main road. Maybe there was a caravan park here? Narrow lanes, historic architecture, cute cafes, modern restaurants,1950s ice cream parlours. There werent many people around but when someone did come round the corner their footsteps were magnified. Looking for a little rejuvenation with a heady dash of inspiration? Walkers then continue their journey to St Margarets at Cliffe with its Pine Calyx and beautiful bay. They looked frozen. Its challenging, its rewarding and its a lot more than you can possibly imagine. Well, we all have our quirks, he says, smiles at me, and moves on. So lets say its 8 ish miles. Here is one of the lightest alternatives available. This was where the first international hoverport used to be situated. They are talking in an Eastern European language and look confused at finding themselves on this promenade. But the beauty of the walk is that you pick it up from any starting position you like. A bit of magic that you can believe in? Nearby an inscribed stone informed me that: This stone set down and inscribed by the Corporation of Ramsgate was unveiled by H.H. As I approach the end of the nature reserve, I see some posts in a curving line. The trail begins at the Jacobs Ladder Steps (used by Vincent van Gogh during his short stay in Ramsgate back in 1876) and takes you on a journey around the inner and outer marina, ending at the Royal Harbour Brasserie, with its unrivalled views of the harbour and channel. Remarkably, the rotting and rusting remains are still poking from the mud a hundred years after it was built. I am thinking of walking the Kent coastal path starting in Whitstable, does anyone have any tips or overnight recommendations? At the end of the wasteland is an area of reeds. It was going to Dover. Cliffs to my right, ocean to my left, uncovering the rocks and seaweed as the tide was pulling out with views ahead of me of the same, and dark cloud looming above. I ask a man, sunbathing on a patch of concrete, if I can walk this way. Later, I have a faltering memory of travelling on one as a teen- the journey was noisy and both exciting and extraordinary. What really interests me is the power station; a tall chimney and three tall, curvaceous towers. We walked from sandwich to Ramsgate today, on the wrong side of the stour got as far as the bridge David referred to but didnt attempt to cross it, Mrs B would never allow that, so we turned back which meant a 5 mile round trip back to Sandwich and then had to walk along the A256 Mrs B was so angry! You can change your cookie settings at any time. Distance:Loop 1 1.4 miles (2.3km) allow 45 minutes;Loop 2 2 miles (3.2km) allow 1 hour. Distance: 6.8 miles (11km) one-way - allow 3.5 to 4 hours. I cant believe we missed them after bothering to read the book. A replica of an 8th century Viking longship was built in 1949 and 53 modern Viking Danes sailed it to the Thanet coast to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the arrival of the two Saxon chieftains, Hengist and Horsa. This was an expensive service to provide however and Hoverlloyd and rival Seaspeed operations working out of Dover merged in 1981 to form Hoverspeed. This part of the walk is very pleasant. So yes, follow the signposts to the coast and turn right. If you have any questions about any of them please feel free to leave a comment on the post or send me an email. Though about all I could see bobbing around were Great Crested Grebes. More nearby walking ideas and full logistical info, including interactive map, will be at the end. Walking around the next cliff corner I found myself at Joss bay. Though shortlived, the Hoverlloyd operations live on, if now just hosted by YouTube. Both estimations allow for time to read the leaflet and enjoy each point listed on the trail. No need for talk of police, nonsense threats that they were. Hello, my name is Zoe and welcome to my blog about walks and hikes in England. Power stations encountered = 1 Stage 42. North Foreland, Broadstairs, Ramsgate to Sandwich The Walk From Margate To Ramsgate Via Broadstairs England Coast Path, 8 Best Surrey Hills Walks: Full Route Guides, Ultimate Seven Sisters Walk Guide: Seaford to Eastbourne, How to walk from Hastings to Rye England, 6 best walks from Brockenhurst in the New Forest, Thors Cave walk: 2 circular route guides, Padley Gorge Walk: Everything you need to know, Osmotherley Circular Walk via Scarth Wood Moor, Scar House Reservoir Walk: Detailed Guide. Also look out for seasonal guided costume walks in Ramsgate, all free of charge, on our Facebook site. Distance: My tracker says 8.7 miles, but I did detour a little bit in Pegwell Bay. But a few minutes after my last sighting of them, I began to worry about them. The whole walk can be done at sea level or on the clifftop, or a bit of both. I mean, it doesnt have to be, but I recommend it. Both those sections are also very different, well, the way I walked them they were anyway. A lot of the walk was on terrain like this. Click on the little box in the corner to follow the trail. Get ready to immerse yourself in nature and culture. The walk from Margate to Broadstairs is much longer than Ramsgate to Broadstairs. I never saw it, but I passed the hamlet of Ebbsfleet, now subsumed by neighbouring village sprawl. Well, I didnt see them. The signs are, strictly speaking, accurate this is not a bridle way or a cycle route and is private property -but make no mention of the fact that this is also a public path. Its a pretty easy walk and each town has a train station so you can easily shorten it if you dont have the time.or just dont want to do all of it. Gear talk: Pad-Pal, the worlds smallest and lightest electric pad inflator is getting smaller and lighter! For more, you could read my post about the best coastal walks near London. Not a real one. I realised that this was the first time in a long time that I had been somewhere like this. Gear talk: cleaning the generator tube on a multi-fuel stove, Gear talk: Arch Angel replacement insoles, Gear talk: looking at canister top stove systems and stability. It takes 45 minutes to walk all the way around, so it's not big but on a nice day it's a lovely diversion for a family . If the lifting bridge is raised, you may be able to use the smaller footbridge but if not, you will have to walk around the inner harbour via Military Road. (I still shudder when I remember it!) They form a line of anti-tank defences, leftover from the second world war. Lost boys seen = 4 After walking around Sandwich for 20min, I realised someone was following me. Check the train times as there are other much slower trains that do the journey, and obviously, you dont want to get those. Much more recently, I confess that my insisting on a particular business journey across the Solent to the Isle of Wight on the last surviving public hovercraft service in the world was purely because I wanted to travel by hovercraft again. Broadstairs is lovely in the sun, with the bay curving round and the town rising up above it. This is very pleasant and I stop to sit on the bank, have a snack, and enjoy the view over Pegwell Bay. I wandered around and over, exploring them for some time. There didnt appear to be a soul about, but just a few decades previous it would have been a very different scene. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Our Outreach Officer ran from Sandwich to Ramsgate to speak with Year 7 students from @tcdskent about their future aspirations for University. North Foreland, Broadstairs, Ramsgate toSandwich, http://www.jameshovercraft.co.uk/hover/html/pegwell_bay_hoverport.htm. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Your email address will not be published. Finnish word 'kartta', from Swedish 'karta', meaning map. I find this hard to answer. The road sections had been pretty dire, but there was, and is, some fascinating history to the stretch of coast walked. Im hopeless at identifying birds. Do we ever rid ourselves of the inner schoolkid? Along the shore, there are some derelict shelters - with murals painted on them - with peeling paint and no sign of the seats they once contained. Karttamittari, Gear talk: sodium acetate crystallisation-type heat-pads. I suffered multiple serious injuries: fractures to neck, pelvis, arms, ribs and internal damage. Time: 3h 30min (for the full route) Difficulty: Easy in theory. Youve probably come to recognise them yourself in the meantime, but the seagulls youve pictured are in fact more noble, strictly pescatarian Fulmars. Ah. but nothing to say private. In these areas you will usually be following local signs, but you should also see signs telling you that the route is part of the England Coast Path. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. I leave the port behind and now walk along the high ground, above a beach. Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve: Nice coastal walking opportunities - See 178 traveler reviews, 40 candid photos, and great deals for Ramsgate, UK, at Tripadvisor. So it was a long walk to find how to get to the other side of the river. See the resident seal colony,. Did I know there was a caterpillar on my hat? Joss Bay looks lovely this morning. So this is replica of a replica. A full 66 miles in length, its certainly not over in the blink of an eye, and its not always a stroll in the park, but as the thousands of people who have already completed it will testify it is truly exceptional. Settle to The Street, Ravenstonedale, Trail talk: Pennine Bridleway. I realise this is more to do with staking claim to a patch of sand, then it is to do with erecting shelter from the non-existent wind. This includes stops top take photos and I did walk back on myself twice, so it is possible to do it in a shorter time. Theres a mysterious sign to No naked flames (zinc cant ignite, surely?) Hi Annie, I think its 9-10 miles. Just under 3 miles along a main road. Excited children, arriving for a day on the beach, run down towards the sea and then stop, shrieking, as cold water splashes against their ankles. This occasionally requires internal carbon deposits removing. The maps also show the coastal margin. Reaching Pegwell Bay, the path joined a cycle way and I passed a Rowe type Sustrans Millennium Milepost from which a third arm pointed toward Rome. There is an old-fashioned air to the place. In case you dont know, bulls are not allowed to be kept where there are walking trails. This inventive twin-trail from Active Ramsgate will lead you through a labyrinth of quiet streets, alleyways and a Royal Harbour, past historic buildings, monuments and landmarks shaped by 300 years of history, around a town packed with contradictions and (last but definitely not least) to an eclectic mix of bars and cafs where you can stop off for a well-earned top up. Wish Id stopped and taken more photographs. To me, the structures are beautiful and powerful, towering above the natural contours of the bay. This months measure is a simple brass 'Karttamittari' produced and sold by Uittokalusto O.Y. They are aged around 12 or 13, sweating and in a state of high excitement. They were more gracious than I was and I saw a lot of bowing going on. With safe and sheltered landing opportunity, this site was chosen for three arrivals that changed the course of English history. If you continue south, you will walk the Ramsgate to Sandwich section of the coast, and then after that you have Deal to Sandwich. You could try the sections before and after this one, Margate to Ramsgate, and Deal to Sandwich. He tells me there are steps leading up to the road. You can also download the Explore Kent App for free, available from the App Store. I walk down, heading for Pegwell Bay. But today the tide is out and the walk is lovely. Flowery in style, this provides striking example of both the promenading elite and others that could muster the fare to this far corner of Thanet in its Victorian heyday. The Walk From Ramsgate To Sandwich Via Pegwell Bay, 8 Best Surrey Hills Walks: Full Route Guides, Ultimate Seven Sisters Walk Guide: Seaford to Eastbourne, How to walk from Hastings to Rye England, 6 best walks from Brockenhurst in the New Forest, Thors Cave walk: 2 circular route guides, Padley Gorge Walk: Everything you need to know, Osmotherley Circular Walk via Scarth Wood Moor, Scar House Reservoir Walk: Detailed Guide. Walking on ground that is under the sea for half of the day was quite interesting.and deserted. You will now be walking in Stonelees Nature Reserve. It led straight through the complex to Sandwich. And when you reach the gorgeous quaint town of Sandwich you will forget all about the boring road to get there.