DAYSOUT
WALK THE RUGGED COASTLINE OF KENT
THE ENGLAND COAST PATH WINDS ITS WAY ALONG THE KENT COAST FROM CAMBER IN EAST SUSSEX THROUGH TO RAMSGATE . WHATEVER BRINGS YOU TO THE COAST PATH , WHETHER IT ’ S THE OUTSTANDING WALKING OR THE BEAUTIFUL SEA VIEWS THAT ACCOMPANY YOU AS YOU WALK , YOU CAN BE SURE OF AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE . BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE COAST PATH ON THE NATIONAL TRAILS WEBSITE AND DISCOVER THE ACCOMMODATION AND ATTRACTIONS FOUND ALONG THE ROUTE .
Setting off from the sand dunes of Camber , you ’ ll be completely forgiven for delaying the start of your walk to spend time on these sands kite flying , paddling or relaxing . Leaving Camber , you ’ ll find yourself walking through the wild landscape of Romney Marsh , with sheep happily grazing in the patchwork fields .
Visit Dungeness with its unique shingle landscape , home to three lighthouses , one of which is open as a visitor attraction . Ride on the Romney , Hythe and Dymchurch railway , a delightful miniature railway which takes you via Dymchurch into the beautiful market town of Hythe .
Dymchurch is a great place to take a break and visit the small amusement park and beach that make this a quintessential seaside town . Here you can also discover an interesting collection of Martello towers , small defensive forts built across Britain in the 19th century .
If you fancy browsing some antique shops , then the you ’ ll love Hythe and its fabulous High Street . Be sure to visit the Royal Military Canal while here and see the bronze statue commemorating the men who dug the canal to prevent invasion by Napoleon ’ s army .
Pass through more stunning landscapes , including the Lower Leas Coastal Park in
Folkestone , which is split into three recreational zones . Heading towards Dover you will see Samphire Hoe , a man-made nature reserve created from material dug out from the construction of the channel tunnel .
Dover offers many amazing reasons for walkers to pay a visit . See Shakespeare ’ s Cliff , which gets its name from its association with William Shakespeare ’ s King Lear on the stretch of shingle beach approaching Dover ’ s harbour . A passage from King Lear refers to the cliff . Dover is also the official starting point of the North Downs Way . With some wonderful places to stay and eat , Dover makes a perfect overnight stay .
Walk across the cliff tops through the South Foreland valley , a haven for rare wildlife and habitats . Both Langton Bay and Fan Bay have an interesting military history with concrete remnants of cross channel gun positions and observation posts from World War II still visible in the undergrowth when Nazi invaders were just 20 miles away . Fan Bay Deep shelter , a network of recently discovered wartime underground tunnels , is now in the care of the National Trust and open to the public .
Visit the South Foreland lighthouse , also a National Trust attraction , where the Knott family once lived as lighthouse keepers , then on to St Margaret ’ s Bay , a wonderful place to go rock pooling , fossil hunting or to admire the former home of Ian Fleming , the creator of James Bond .
Pass through stunning White Cliffs countryside to Deal , where you can visit the English Heritage operated Deal Castle built by Henry VIII , one of three defence forts built in the area .
A little further on is Walmer Castle , also in the care of English Heritage and open to the public , this is another defence fort built by Henry VIII .
Head out across the Sandwich Bay flats , taking in the sight of some of Britain ’ s rarest birds , which can be found wading on the mudflats when the tide is out . The medieval town of Sandwich is home to quaint side streets which are worthy of stopping to explore .
The walk ends at the vibrant seaside town of Ramsgate , home to a range of traditional seaside amusements , regency architecture and a Royal harbour !
This walk can be completed in either direction and would make an excellent walking holiday where you could walk both ways , making the most of the wonderful attractions that can be found throughout the route .
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