Walks in East Kent Ages to Take on the Walk Can Be

This circular walk is one of a number of walks produced by Photo Guide Kent County Council. If you liked this walk you can ﬁnd more Walk Overview on the Explore Kent website at www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Distance: 2.2 miles (3.5km) allow 1.5 hours

We welcome any feedback about this walk or the content Start/Finish: Opposite Walmer Castle of the guide. If you know of a good walk and would like to Stiles: 0 share it, please let us know and we may feature it on our website. Gates: 0

1 2 3 4 5 If the route description or pictures are out-of-date please Terrain: Field paths and surfaced paths. e-mail [email protected] Gentle slopes � Please tell us about any problems concerning the paths Views: Some good views using the Kent Report Line 0845 345 0210. Toilets: None on route This guide is available in other formats on request. � Refreshments: Shops� and pub in Walmer FAMILY FUN! Walking is not only a healthy How to get there... activity but it can be fun and � 6 7 8 informative too. Free activity Road Map: worksheets for children of all Multimap website Walks in East Kent ages to take on the walk can be www.multimap.com. ordered by emailing Search for “Walmer”. When you’re out walking [email protected] in the countryside, or calling By Car: From A2 at Dover take please respect the A258 to Walmer/Kingsdown. 08458 247600. Countryside Code. Follow signs to Walmer Castle.

Parking: Parking is available near the castle in Kingsdown 2.2 miles (3.5km) approx. 4,375 steps Road. Allow 1.5 hours 9 • Be safe – plan ahead and follow any arrows or FOOTPATH Train: Nearest station: Walmer (1.5 miles). About the walk... signs This short walk not far from the villages of Walmer and Kingsdown National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950 offers some fine views from Hawkshill Freedown. The Freedown • Leave gates and property is a public area of open grassland offering fine views across the as you find them BRIDLEWAY Bus: 84 (Sandown – Kingsdown). Hourly Mon-Sat. surrounding countryside, the English Channel and on a clear day, Protect plants and Traveline: 0870 6082608 the coast of France. Hawkshill was once a World War I aerodrome • and now the site of a memorial to pilots who flew from here and animals, and take your BYWAY were killed fighting in France. litter home The walk also passes Walmer Castle which dates from the 16th • Keep dogs under close century. The castle formed part of a line of defence along the edge of the downs. Now owned by English Heritage, the castle is home control RESTRICTED to a collection of memorabilia from the Duke of Wellington. • Consider other people BYWAY For guidance only, actual conditions encountered may be different to what is shown depending on weather and time of year. www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent 03/2007 ✓ Walk your way to a a to way your Walk lifestyle healthier virtually for one mile burns “Walking same the it just for one mile, as jogging of calories number longer!” a little takes no special is FREE and requires equipment “Walking comfortable” are as you or clothing – as long heart the risk of helps reduce walking “Regular and diabetes high blood pressure” strokes, disease, At At this point the path opens out into a field. path downhill Follow the towards road. Near the bottom the path takes you through a gap and into an area of woodland. Continue along the woodland path and bear left left at Turn a along large a tree. surfaced alleyway and follow downhill for around 100 metres passing before through cycle barriers and onto Cliff Road, in Kingsdown. Cross road into Boundary Road and head the towards sea front. At the end of Boundary Road, turn left, following signs to join a surfaced Along path on the Way. Saxon Shore this section there are some great sea views and many places to access the beach. Continue following the path along the Saxon the path here changes Way, to Shore become a combined cycle path and Up walkway. ahead, there is an view excellent Walmer of Castle on your left as you retrace your steps back to the car park where you started. 8 9 7 6 out into an area of open access land known turnhere, as From leftHawkshill Freedown. along the boundary on the left hand side following a grassy path. There are numerous opportunities along this stretch to take a rest on one of the benches and are not take in some You great sea views. restricted to follow any particular path across as Hawkshill it Freedown is an area of open access land, so feel free to explore the area. Continue through following waymarker gap, On arrows. your immediate right there is a small war the memorial. Follow enclosed path bordered by hedges. Again, there are good views across the rolling countryside and to the sea beyond. From the From car Castle, follow park Walmer near the path the towards beach and turn right on the surfaced path that runs along the sea front. Castle After Walmer on passing your right, turn right to follow waymarker arrows across a grassy area the towards road. Cross the road and follow footpath up gentle slope, running to side of house. On reaching the end of the path, it opens 5 3 2 1 4 Route Description Description Route

© Crown copyright reserved. Kent County Council licence number 100019238. March 2006 Explorer 138 www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Also use Ordnance Survey Map: Kingsdown & Walmer Circular Walk Circular Walmer & Kingsdown Kingsdown & Circular Walmer Walk 2 9 1 8 � � 6 � 3

View 5 4 � �� Take care Take 1 0.5 0.5 Miles Kilometres 0 N ✓ Walk your way to a a to way your Walk lifestyle healthier virtually for one mile burns “Walking same the it just for one mile, as jogging of calories number longer!” a little takes no special is FREE and requires equipment “Walking comfortable” are as you or clothing – as long heart the risk of helps reduce walking “Regular and diabetes high blood pressure” strokes, disease, At At this point the path opens out into a field. path downhill Follow the towards road. Near the bottom the path takes you through a gap and into an area of woodland. Continue along the woodland path and bear left left at Turn a along large a tree. surfaced alleyway and follow downhill for around 100 metres passing before through cycle barriers and onto Cliff Road, in Kingsdown. Cross road into Boundary Road and head the towards sea front. At the end of Boundary Road, turn left, following signs to join a surfaced Along path on the Way. Saxon Shore this section there are some great sea views and many places to access the beach. Continue following the path along the Saxon the path here changes Way, to Shore become a combined cycle path and Up walkway. ahead, there is an view excellent Walmer of Castle on your left as you retrace your steps back to the car park where you started. 8 9 7 6 out into an area of open access land known turnhere, as From leftHawkshill Freedown. along the boundary on the left hand side following a grassy path. There are numerous opportunities along this stretch to take a rest on one of the benches and are not take in some You great sea views. restricted to follow any particular path across as Hawkshill it Freedown is an area of open access land, so feel free to explore the area. Continue through following waymarker gap, On arrows. your immediate right there is a small war the memorial. Follow enclosed path bordered by hedges. Again, there are good views across the rolling countryside and to the sea beyond. From the From car Castle, follow park Walmer near the path the towards beach and turn right on the surfaced path that runs along the sea front. Castle After Walmer on passing your right, turn right to follow waymarker arrows across a grassy area the towards road. Cross the road and follow footpath up gentle slope, running to side of house. On reaching the end of the path, it opens 5 3 2 1 4 Route Description Description Route

View 5 4 � �� Take care Take 1 0.5 0.5 Miles Kilometres 0 N This circular walk is one of a number of walks produced by Photo Guide Kent County Council. If you liked this walk you can ﬁnd more Walk Overview on the Explore Kent website at www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Distance: 2.2 miles (3.5km) allow 1.5 hours