sign in sign up
<<
Home , Beachborough, Bishopsbourne, Folkestone, Frogholt, Lyminge, Patrixbourne

The Way

www..gov.uk/explorekent About the Elham Valley Way

A walk filled with history, nature and stunning scenery.

The Elham valley is the setting for most of this walk which will take you through some of the most enchanting countryside Kent has to offer.

Fields with poppies, From the seaside bustle of the south coast, through to the historic city of , the Elham Valley Way meanders through ancient woodlands, secret byways and charming, unspoilt villages.

Much of the walk passes through the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with many breathtaking panoramas, a wide variety of pastures, orchards, woods and parklands to enjoy. Chalk downlands, streams, ancient hedgerows and trees are a haven for wildlife. A rich history offers you a myraid of archaelogy, quaint churches and imposing country houses and castles.

Starting in the coastal town of Hythe, you can expereince the timeless enjoyment of a seaside town, take a ride on a steam train, visit ancient churches before moving on to relax in beautiful country parks, enjoy wildlife reserves, and discover remains of a once well used railway line. Stop off at museums, country and end the walk in the Cathedral , a Mock-Tudor house, Patrixbourne haven for lovers of history, culture and shopping!

www.kentselhamvalley.co.uk brings together all the businesses that serve visitors to the Valley, you can find information on what do do and where to stay, as well as events .

Both Elham and Deal are part of the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ scheme, a community led scheme to help promote towns with well maintained facilities for walkers. www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk

Red Lion Inn, Bridge Geography of the Elham Valley Way

Lovers of nature will enjoy the varied landscape of the Elham Valley.

The chalk outcrop of the Kent Downs forms part of the horseshoe of chalk which crosses south-east , originally laid down in a shallow sea 60-120 million years ago. The great uplift which produced the Alps in Europe 25 million years ago also created the geological Patrixbourne dome of south-east England.

Layers of sedimentary deposits built up across Kent over time covering the sandstone, before extensive earth movements exposed the sandstone once again. Weathering and erosion removed younger and softer rocks, leaving the horseshoe-shaped ridge we have today.

The soils, ideal for various agriculture meant that for many centuries, sheep rearing provided a staple industry, with small villages and towns flourishing in medieval and Tudor times. Various crops including cereals, maize and Chalk Clay Greensand Gravel hops along with orchards are a tradional part of the landscape. Thames basin North Greensand Central South Downs Downs Ridge Weald There are many areas of ancient downland you can see which have never been managed Patrixbourne other than natural grazing. This has allowed hundreds of varieties of wild flowers to flourish. North Kent/ South Reproduced by permission of the British Geological Survey. ©NERC. All rights reserved. 2010 Plants which are still common on the downs include the cowslip in spring, along with milkwort, scented wild thyme, majorma and salad burnet. The summer ends with hare bells, scabacious and autum genrain. Orchids are more plentiful on the downs than anywhere else in Britain. The best known downland wildlife are insects and butterflies, including the beautiful Adonis Blue. About half of the 60 species of butterfly found in the whole of Britain have been recorded on the Downs.

Barham Guide Information

Maps The route maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Explorer Series and are of a scale no smaller than 1:20,000.

All sections of the walk follow legally defined rights of way unless otherwise indicated on route maps. Before using the route guide, walkers are advised to study the key to the route Bourne Park, Bridge maps and map symbols. It is also recommended that you take an OS Explorer Map with you.

Distances and times The distances in the guidebook are given in metres and kilometres. The exact conversion of miles to kilometres is 1 mile to 1.6093km. For convenience the approximate conversion is 1 mile to 1.6 km.

Waymarking The route is waymarked by circular waymark discs with a depiction of the valley and spire in the centre of the directional arrow. These are yellow for a public footpath, blue for a public bridleway and red for a public byway.

You will see the waymarkers fixed to posts, or gates or stiles. The walk has been waymarked Patrixbourne in such a way that it is possible to walk the route in either direction.

Link Routes that connect the path with towns and train staions are also waymarked with the Elham Way logo, which features an artistic interpretation of the Elham valley and church spires which are prominent along the way.

Barham Contents EXPLORER MAP 138

Chapter 1

Hythe to Peene WHISTABLE Chapter 2

FAVERSHAM Peene to North KENT CANTERBURY Chapter 3

North Lyminge to North Elham Bridge Chapter 4 AONB Kingston EXPLORER MAP 150 North Elham to Covert Wood

Chapter 5

Covert Wood to Kingston Elham Lyminge Chapter 6 ASHFORD

Kingston to Bifrons Park Peene FOLKESTONE Chapter 7 HYTHE 0510 Kilometres Bifrons Park to Canterbury 0 Miles 02.55

Elham Valley Way Link Route Symbols Key

 Parking  Picnic site  Fishing Bus stop  Information Centre ' Walks/Trails  Theme/ pleasure park Train station = Visitor Centre % Cycle trail  Catherdral/ Abbey Stile PC Public Convenience + Horse riding  Museum Viewpoint  Forestry Comission  Public house  Castle/ Fort Gate  Public Telephone  Viewpoint  Building of historic interest Hazards/ Take care Camp site  Country Park Q English Heritage Caravan site  Garden K National Trust Camp/caravan site  Nature reseve ! Other tourist feature  Leisure centre Water activities Golf course  Slipway

© Crown Copyright and database right 2012. Ordnance Survey 100019238

Order maps by calling : 08458 247 600 (Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm)

( Top : Bridge, centre and bottom: Patrixbourne. Useful information

Plan ahead for your walk. Take all the information you require with you. Find tips for planning your walk on www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent

Be safe, plan ahead and If you experience a problem on a follow any signs. Leave gates public right of way, please contact as you find them. Protect Kent County Council: plants and animals, and take your litter home. Keep dogs www.kent.gov.uk/countryside access under close control. email: [email protected] call: 08453 450 210 For further information visit: www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk

For other useful information visit the Signage on public rights of way Long Distance Walkers Association website: www.ldwa.org.uk

Footpath To plan your journey using public transport you can find travel Bridleway information and advice, by calling Traveline on:

0871 200 22 33 Byway

Available from 8am until 8pm Calls charged at the national rate. Restricted Byway Church of St. John the Baptist, Barham 3 miles (4.8 km) around 6000 steps, 1. Hythe to Peene allow 2 hours

1 5 9 14 Romney Hythe and Rail- Scene Wood. Walk quietly through Pound Farm. The farm is named after Dismantled railway. The overgrown way. Miniature steam engines pull this ancient coppiced woodland and the Kentish ragstone pound where trackbed of the disused branch line the carriages on this tiny railway. You you may well be rewarded by straying livestock were kept until the between Sandling and Hythe. may ride the 14 miles from Hythe sight - or sound - of birds and small owner paid the fine. The footpath to to on the 15 inch gauge animals. There are many different the west leads to Hollow 15 track. flowers and ferns to enjoy as well. and the Seabrook Stream. tunnel. Compare the method of constructing this 19th- 2 6 10 century tunnel with its newer The was Dibgate Camp. This area has been Barley Mow. Can you find the cot- neighbour. The mounds of earth still built between 1804 and 1809 as used for military purposes since the tage once known as Barley Mow? discernible along its length were a defence against French invasion 18th century. Take care when walk- It was a beer-house, licensed to sell laboriously hoisted by hand through during the Napoleonic Wars. The ing across the camp, especially if you the local brew from Mackcsons of the verticle ventilation shafts. regular changes in alignment have children with you. The area is Hythe. allowed gun emplacemenrs to cover still in regular use by the military. 16 each length. Please stay on the rights of way. 11 Summerhouse Hill. This conical Railway Museum. The Elham Valley hill was even more of a landmark 3 7 Line trust has a good collection of until the grand gazebo atop it suc- Town Hall. This 18th-century build- Seabrook valley. The Seabrook local railway memorabilia, equip- cumbed to fire on Guy Fawkes night, ing is easy to identify, with its impos- Stream once powered several corn ment and working models. 1935. Views from the hill include ing white portico and large clock. mills. Newington Mill had to make Temple Pond. The ground floor provided shelter way for the terminal. 12 for an open market. The stream forms part of a Site of Sandling station. The South Eastern Special Scientific lnterest. Railway’s station, opened in 1888, 4 was the junction with the Hythe and St Leonards’ Church. The cathedral- 8 Sandgate branch, which was expect- like parish church was built in Nor- Church of St Nicholas, Newington. ed to run through to Folkestone man times. The tower is 18th centu- This little church has stood here harbour. But this was not to be. ry, rebuilt after collapsing during an since Norman times. Call in and see earthquake. An outside entrance the 15th-century pulpit and the win- 13 leads you to a vault containing dow showing why St Nicholas is the Brockhill Country Park. The 54-acre thousands of skulls and thigh bones. patron saint of youth! country park was once part of Brock- hill Park, an estate dating back to Norman times. R Royal Military Canal © Crown Copyright and database right 2012. Ordnance Survey 100019238 Section 1, Hythe Peene to www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Also use Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 138 Survey Map: Explorer Also use Ordnance Elham Valley WayElham Valley Link route Interesting feature Interesting 1 0. 5 0. 5 0.2 5 i l es i l o m etres M K 0 ± 3.7 miles (5.95 km) 2. Peene to North Lyminge around 7,400 steps, allow 2 hours

17 21 century addition from the original 29 Pilgrims’ Way. Like many other tracks Disused railway track. The path part of the building? St Ethelburga’s Well. This crystal clear leading eventually to Canterbury, follows the disused Elham Valley spring may well be the main source this ancient path is now named for Railway line which once linked Can- 26 of the Nailbourne. The canopy and those who journeyed in hope to the terbury and Folkestone. The bridges Tolsford Hill. At 181 metres, you chain pump date from 1898. shrine of Thomas Becket. allowed farm stock to pass safely are standing on one of the highest underneath. points of the area. Modern man uses 18 the height for a telecommunication The Park. The 18th-cen- 22 mast to relay signals across the Eng- tury mansion, seat of the Brockman Seabrook Stream. A small stream lish Channel. Ancient Britons valued Along the Elham Valley Way, you family, was completely burnt down which rises at Etchinghill, flows such places too; see the burial will see many features of the dis- soon after the Great War. The attrac- through Ashley Wood and meets the mounds around you. used railway line which connect- tive dower house across the road sea between Hythe and Sandgate. ed Folkestone to Canterbury. survives. 27 23 East Brook. This stream, a major Construction began in 1884 and 19 Spoil bank. The railway embank- tributary of the Nailbourne, appar- was challenging to objections and Peene quar- ment you see from here was built up ently shrank with the construction of from landowners, one example ry. The chalk grassland on Folke- with spoil from the Erchinghill tun- the Elham valley line. The deep of which led to the construction stone Downs provides a wealth of nel to the north-west. The excess soil cuttings are said to have drained of Bourne Park Tunnel instead of wild flowers, insects and bird life, was dumped, forming a spoil bank. off the underground water feeding two bridges. best in spring and summer. Look the spring which is its source. especially for cowslips, orchids 24 The line was operational be- and butterflies. The disused Peene Etchinghill railway tunnel and cut- 28 tween 1887 and 1947, and quarry is a good access point. You ting. Eighty feet below Etchinghill Church of St Mary and St Ethelburga. during the Wold Wars was taken will get excellent views from there. and hidden in a tunnel and deep St Dunstan of Canterbury rebuilt this over by the army. During WW2 it cuttings runs the trackbed of the ancient church in 965. You can still was home to a huge railway gun 20 former Elham valley line. make out part of the even earlier which could fire 1.4 ton shells 12 Ashley Wood. Parts of this ancient building in the stone wall. The early miles. woodland are still managed by cop- 25 church was part of the nunnery and picing, to the benefit of wildflowers The New Inn, an 18th-century monastery founded in the 7th After the war, the road network growing under the trees. You can amalgamation of two 15th century century by Ethelburga, daughter overtook the railway and passen- find evidence of the regularly cut cottages, replaced an old alehouse of King Ethelbert of Kent. ger numbers fell and the railway stumps regrowing after the wood is further down the road, hence the was closed forever. harvested in the traditional way. name. Can you distinguish the 18th- © Crown Copyright and data base right 2012. Ordnance Survey 100019238 www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Section 2, Peene to North to Section Lyminge 2, Peene Also use Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 138 Survey Map: Explorer Also use Ordnance Elham Valley Way Elham Valley Interesting feature Interesting 1 0. 5 0. 5 0.2 5 i l es i l o m etres M K 0 ± 2.9 miles (4.7 km) 3. North Lyminge to North Elham around 5,800 steps, allow 1 hour 45 mins

30 during its heyday as a coach staging Signs of the railway. The Way here post. A magistrates’ court was once Elham follows both the Nailbourne and the held regularly upstairs. ploughed-over railway line. You may The origin of the name of the spot old rail posts in the fences, and 35 village is subject to much de- the culverts where the line once The Square. In 1251 Elham was bate. Some claim it relates to the criss-crossed the stream. granted a royal charter to hold a number of eels once found in market. the Nailbourne river centuries 31 ago. Railway bridge. Once trains stopped 36 for farm produce in a siding immedi- King Post. The buildings round The Others say it is connected with ately north of this bridge. There are Square vary in age and architecture. Ula, a former Saxon inhabitatnt. two former railway cottages to the Inside, King Post is a medieval hall The suffix ‘ham’ is derived from east. house with fine oak beams; outside, the German word for ‘heim’, you see the facelift it was given in meaning ‘home’ - leading to 32 Georgian times. the assumption ‘Ulaham’ is the Hillock. Ancient burial mound or homestead of Ula. 19th-century spoil heap? Decide for 37 yourself which of the suggested St Mary’s Church. The 13th-century The discovery of Neolithic axes is explanations for the odd hillock church has also been altered and evidence of the earliest human beside the line you prefer. extended in succeeding ages. Lean activity. Many Roman artifacts back against the plant-studded flim have also been found, including 33 walls of the churchyard and admire a silver coin of Hadrian found in Abbots Fireside. The Duke of Wel- the 14th-century spire. the vicarage garden. A beauti- lington may have briefly set up ful brooch with the inscription headquarters here when invasion 38 ‘Amor Vincit Fortitvdinem’ - love threatened. The carved fireplace Old level crossing. Many of the overcomes force - was also from which the house gains its name houses and bridges hereabouts found in Elham. is hidden inside but you can see were built with bricks fired in the the fine carving on the exterior. Elham Valley Company kilns on the In the 19th century, the village eastern side of the old railway cross- was home to a brickworks, due 34 ing . The hump in the road is all that to a plentiful supply of clay in the Rose and Crown. This inn still has remains of the crossing, you may area. the large yard and stables it needed spot a brick or two stamped EVC. © Crown Copyright and databas e right 2012. Ordnance Survey 100019238 www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Section 3, North Lyminge to North Elham Section North 3, North to Elham Lyminge Also use Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 138 Survey Map: Explorer Also use Ordnance Elham Valley Way Elham Valley Interesting feature Interesting 1 0. 5 0. 5 0.2 5 i l es i l o m etres M K 0 ± 3.3 miles (5.31 km) 4. North Elham to Covert Wood around 6,600 steps, allow 2 hours

39 over many centuries. The gnarled Rural Heritage Centre. The centre at trunks of some of the hedgerow Elham Vinyards Parsonage Farm has displays on all trees document their age too. facets of rural history. The hedgelay- Since 1979 the Elham Valley Vin- ing and coppicing you see along the 44 yard has been growing grapes Way are just two of the rural crafts Elham Valley Vineyards. Established and making wine. featured. in 1979, the vineyard has produced award winning wines. You can sam- Since the vines were planted, 40 ple their wares, by the glass, bottle 4000 bottles of wine were pro- Hall Downs. The down land here is or cask. duced annually, including light an excellent example of how appro- white and sparkling varieties. priately grazed chalk grassland can 45 produce wildflowers in spring and Baldock Downs. Contrast this down- In 2010 the health of the vines summer. land with Hall Downs. Lack of graz- declines, and 1600 new vines ing lets scrub plants like dogwood were planted, including a red 41 and hawthorn take over from variety Pinot Noir. Seyval Blanc Wingmore bridge. Looking north, flowers. This area, though under- was also chosen because of its can you make out the bridge over grazed, is by far the better piece resistance to the main problem the old railway below you? Yester- of downland and has never been for English vineyards, mildew. day’s walkers must have sat here improved. Different plants appear watching the steam trains puffing with the soil change from dry and The first wines from this new their way through the landscape, a alkaline chalk to moisture-holding crop will be made from the Sum- slight hint of smoke drifting up to acid clay as the path heads west. mer of 2013. join the perfume of the chalk flow- ers. The vineyards are open 7 days a week and are also home to a 42 garden centre and Tea shop. Thomas Acre Wood. Sights and sounds again in this ancient wood- There is also a popular day land. Insects, birds, plants. centre for adults with learning difficulties, some of whom make 43 tend the vines and craft items for Old hollow lane. Wheels, feet and the gift shop. water have hollowed out this lane © Crown Copyright and database right 2012. Ordnance Survey 100019238 www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Section 4, North Elham to Covert Wood SectionWood 4, North Covert Elham to Also use Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 138 Survey Map: Explorer Also use Ordnance Elham Valley Way Elham Valley Interesting feature Interesting 1 0. 5 0. 5 0.2 5 i l es i l o m etres M K 0 ± 2.6 miles (4.18 km) 5. Covert Wood to Kingston around 5,200 steps, allow 1 hour 30 mins

46 50 53 Covert Wood. Conifer and sweet Barham. Two highlights of the Sec- Old hedge. Have you ever tried to Church of St. John chestnut have replaced many of ond World War for Barham were the tell the age of a hedge? Count the the native trees in this 184-hectare crash of a German aircraft on the different types of tree or shrub in a There are many churches along (455-acres) wood. The difference railway line near this bridge (the 30-metre stretch of this very old one; the Elham Valley Way, even it’s between the number of flowering crew were captured by the Home each species adds a 100 years. waymarker logo features a styl- plants under the shady conifers with Guard) and the visit to the Women’s ised spire. the wealth under the native trees is Institute by the wives of Winston 54 noticeable. You may hear the drum- Churchill and President Roosevelt. Railway arch. The stretch of trackbed The Church of St. John the ming call of a woodpecker; each The village school has an from above this beautifully con- Baptist is just one of the many of the three species resident here unusual Gothic bell tower. structed arch to is a churches you could visit. Its ratatats on hollow trees at a different Site of Nature Conservation Interest. charming green copper spire rate. 51 Plants include carline thistle, cowslip is visible on the hillside above Church of St. John the Baptist. The St and hairy violet. On an evening visit, the village of Barham, and has 5 47 George window in the 13th-century you may see glowworms and bats. bells in the tower which ring out Jumping Down. Excellent views church is a memorial to soldiers who across the valley. towards Barham from here. Skylarks camped nearby during the Great 55 frequent these fields in spring and War. Nearby is Barham Court. Local Black Robin. ‘Rigden Dellman ales Mentioned in the Doomsday summer. disputes used to be settled in the are sold where once did live Black Book, the church has a rich histo- annual manorial courts there. Robin bold’. An earlier sign on the ry. The current building is dated 48 One wing of the house is original Black Robin Inn referred to a notori- from the 14th century, with the Redgate Shaw. Shaw is a very early 17th century; the rest was rebuilt ous 18th-century highwayman. south isle added in the 15th cen- word for a small wood like this, in 1735 and enlarged by Lutyens in tury, with other modifications indicating a very long existence. The 1911. 56 completed by the Victorians. number of different trees is another Kingston church. St Giles Church indicator of age - how many can you 52 dates from Saxon times. The wall Two painted glass windows by distinguish? Derringstone. Infilling with houses paintings, font and pulpit are of Martin Tavers dating from 1925 has merged Barham with the once- particular interest. are worth admiring. One depicts 49 separate hamlet of Derringstone. the Virgin Mary holding Christ Heart’s Delight. Heart’s Grief once Don’t look for heathland near and the other in the north west stood near to Heart’s Delight! The Heathfield Way - Station Road was corner of the church commemo- farmhouse is Tudor, the redundant renamed after the last and much- rates the World War 1 losses in oasthouse now a private house. loved station porter, Jack Heathfield. the Signals Regiment. © Crown Copyright and data base right 2012. Ordnance Survey 100019238 www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Section 5, Covert Wood to Kingston Kingston to Wood Section 5, Covert Also use Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 138/150 Survey Map: Explorer Also use Ordnance Elham Valley Way Elham Valley Interesting feature Interesting 1 0. 5 0. 5 0.2 5 i l es i l o m etres M K 0 ± 3 miles (4.82 km) 6. Kingston to Bifrons Park around 6,000 steps, allow 1 hour 45 mins

57 Archaeologists think there was prob- Charlton Mansion. The Prince Re- ably an important settlement here. 66 Charlton Park gent (later George IV) dallied in (his The white-flowered water crowfoot St Peter’s Church. The Norman Tudor mansion with his mistress, and suitably named amphibious church was extensively restored by Charlton Mansion is seen Lady Elizabeth Conyngham of Bi- bistort are two of the plants you may Gilbert Scott in 1859-61. through the trees to the south- frons. He initiated the 19th-century see in the lake in summer. west as you enjoy this easy to extensions. 67 follow section of the Elham Val- 62 Saxon graveyard. Excavations of Sax- ley Way. 58 Bourne Park. The house is consid- on graves on the downland slopes Charlton Park. New lime trees have ered the finest Queen Anne building discovered skeletons of men over six The building dates from the been planted to replace the many in Kent. feet tall and of women who died in , replacing an earlier parkland trees blown down in the childbirth, their little ones buried house and was greatly extended . 63 with them. in 1810. The interior is furnished Railway tunnel. A tunnel was built with fine pannelling and decora- 59 to avoid trains interrupting the view 68 tions. Oswalds. The author Joseph Conrad from the rear windows of Bourne Bifrons Park. You can work out where spent his last years at Oswalds, the House. The owners also insisted on the Bifrons mansion once stood The parklands were decimated in house next to the church. It later a station being provided at Bishops- by tracing the original lines of the the great storm of 1987 but are became the rectory. bourne. avenues of trees. now well on their way to being re-established. The remaining 60 64 old pollarded trees are havens St Mary’s Church. Thirteenth-century Watling Street. A Roman burial for wildlife. Look out for hole- St Mary’s church and its surrounding ground was unearthed near Bridge. nesting birds and there are am- graveyard is a peaceful place. Medi- The straight road is part of Watling ple quantities of decaying woods eval furnishings and a Burne-Jones/ Street, the Roman road from Canter- for beetles, fungi and lichens. William Morris window are worth bury to Dover. Damp patches encourage many seeing and there are interesting ferns. inscriptions on many of the head- 65 stones. Bridge Place. The surviving wing of The Nailbourne River is also this 17th century mansion is now a easy to spot, the park originally 61 country club. House building is ever featured ornamental lakes for Bourne House lake. Excavations for an expensive hobby - as Dover mer- swans, waterfals and winding the lake in front of Bourne House chant Sir Arnold Braems discovered brooks, although few remain. unearthed Roman pottery and coins. to his cost here. © Crown Copyright and database right 2012. Ordnance Survey 100019238 www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Section 6, Kingston to Bifrons Park Section Park 6, Kingston Bifrons to Also use Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 150 Survey Map: Explorer Also use Ordnance Elham Valley Way Elham Valley Interesting feature Interesting 1 0. 5 0. 5 0.2 5 i l es i l o m etres M K 0 ± 3.6 miles (5.8 km) 7. Bifrons Park to Canterbury around 7,200 steps, allow 2 hours

69 73 and other early archbishops has demolished in 1781, the remaining This Norman church, built of flint St Martin’s Church. This church may been used for a series of abbey tower in 1822. and Caen stone, is renowned for date from Roman times; certainly buildings, each in turn torn down its fine stone carving and exquisite some parts are built of Roman brick. to make way for greater splendours. 82 windows. Do see at least the south It is said that St Augustine wor- Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monas- St George’s Gate. The Gate was a doorway and the rose window at shipped here in 597 soon after his teries finished chat. The ruins of the fortified entry point, similar to West the east end of the chancel. arrival from Rome to convert the various stages are in the care of Gate; it too was demolished, in 1801. English. English Heritage. 70 83 From the alternative route through 74 78 St George’s Church. Only the tower Bifrons Park, you can gaze down Almshouses. You will find the date The late 14th century timber-framed of St George’s Church survived the upon the mossy foundations that of these almshouses incised in the Old Hall is a typical Wealden hall heavy bombing raids on this part of are all that remain of the magnifi- gable end. Twelve poor folk of the house. the city, The playwright Christopher cent mansion once home to ‘Prinny’s’ parish found a free haven here, Marlowe, a contemporary of Shake- mistress, the Mardlioness of Conyn- thanks to the generosity of Mrs Ann 79 speare and a native of Canterbury, gham. Smith. Abbott Fyndon’s Gate, built about was buried in the church. 1300, was the main gateway to the 71 75 Abbey. It’s decorated stonework was 84 Apple Orchards. It is hard to imagine Canterbury Prison was used as such restored after Second World War Tower of St Mary Magdalene. The as you walk through the orchards from 1808 to 1920. It briefly housed bomb damage. elegant 16th-century tower, survi- between here and Canterbury that the archives of the Foreign Office, vor of the 19th-century demolition apples were regarded as a luxury then became a Naval detention 80 of the rest of the church and the right up to Victorian times. Only the Barracks, and a civil prison again in The Roman city walls of brick were bombing, is Perpendicular in style. windfalls and the rejects were 1946. rebuilt in flint by the Normans. The affordable to the common folk. Broad Street section is the best sur- 85 76 viving stretch. You can see a blocked Roman Museum. Perversely, the blitz 72 Barton Court, now a girls’ school, up Roman arch to the left of the was responsible for revealing the Pilgrims Way. East of Canterbury, was built in 1740. Sir John Cecil Rus- square bastion in the Queningate buried remains of a Roman town the path joins the route of the old sell, who led troops to the relief of car park. house in Butchery Lane, with its hy- Pilgrims’ Way from the Kent coast to Rorkes Drift in the Zulu War, was the pocaust and mosaic floor. It is now Canterbury. last private occupant. 81 the centrepiece of a small Roman Burgate. The street takes its name Museum. 77 from the Burgate, or Borough Gate. The burial place of St Augustine Rebuilt in 1475, most of the gate was 7.2 Canterbury

86 suffered the unusual fate of Chequeres of Hope. The overhang- being pelted to death with beef Canterbury Marlowe Circular Walk ing beams and some stone arches bones) is now used as an education are all that remain of a medieval and environmental centre. Canterbury is a historic canthe- Christopher Marlowe was born pilgrims inn, the Chequers of Hope. dral city, with the River Stour in Canterbury in 1564. His 91 running through it’s centre. groundbreaking work arguably 87 The 17th-century Conquest House paved the way for William Shake- Christ Church Gate. The 16th-cen- stands over a 12th-century crypt The city has been inhabited spear. tury Christ Church Gate is, to quote where the four knights are said to since prehistoric times, and has a 17th-century observer, a “very have plotted the death of Thomas a a rich history. Famous most for This walk takes you to many goodly, strong and beautiful struc- Becket. the pilgrims visiting the shrine places of interest which have a ture” and a fitting approach to the of Thomas Becket at Canterbury connection to this great play- cathedral. Cathedral. wright. Including the church he was baptised in, the school he 88 There are many visitor attractions studied in and the markets he Canterbury Cathedral. The cathedral including the ‘Canterbury Tales’ visited. is the main church of English Chris- which give an exciting narra- tendom, seat of the Archbishop of tion to the the tales of Chaucer. Find out about the culture and Canterbury, Primate of All England. You could also visit the Marlowe beliefs of the sixteenth century, William the Conqueror’s powerful theatre to see one of the many such as where the city gaol was Archbishop Lanfranc built the plays on show throughout the located - see where theives and first stone cathedral, but many year. murderes were once held. Mar- alterarions have been made over the lowe himself was once arrested centuries. There are many independent for heresy - holding religious be- shops and restaurants as well as liefs that were not sanctioned by 89 well known brands to enjoy. the state. Government inform- The King’s School, one of the oldest ers claimed that he made jokes in the country, has a fine exterior Canterbury has many parks and about the Bible. Norman staircase. open spaces which make it a great place to wile away time The ‘Christoper Marlowe and 90 on a sunny afternoon with the Canterbury walk’ can be down- Canterbury Urban Studies Centre. backdrop of the River Stour. loaded for free from the Explore The Church of St Alphege (an Kent website. archbishop of Canterbury who © Crown Copyright and data base right 2012. Ordnance Survey 100019238

CB320A 8 www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Section 7, Bifrons Park to Canterbury to Section Park 7, Bifrons

CB327 Also use Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 150 Survey Map: Explorer Also use Ordnance

CC46

6

CC4

CC41 Elham Valley Way Elham Valley Interesting feature Interesting 1 For and enlarged map see page 23 and enlarged For 0. 5 0. 5 0.2 5 i l es i l o m etres M K 0 ± Elham Valley Way Section 7.2, Canterbury ± Interesting feature www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Make the most of your journey

Share your experience with others on our Facebook page or in the comments box on the Elham Valley Way walk page: Sign up to our mailing list for free www.facebook.com/explorekent information about www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent walking, cycling or horse riding in Kent! Upload photos from your journey to our Flickr group: www.flickr.com/groups/explorekent Join online: Follow us on Twitter: www.kent.gov.uk/ www.twitter.com/explorekent explorekent

Why not extend your visit to the Elham Valley and stay for a few days? Visit Kent can help you find accomodation. www.visitkent.co.uk

Walk the entire Elham Valley Way or any of our other long distance routes and you will be awarded a prestigious Explore Kent Challenge Certificate!

Complete our online form at: www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent

Patrixbourne This guidebook is based upon ‘Along and Around the Elham Valley Way’ produced by Kent County Council.