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walking cover:Layout 1 24/4/09 11:52 Page 1 Over 100 walks exploring countryside, coast and towns May to June 2009 North Kent Walking Festival 2009 It's time to get out and explore the great outdoors and enjoy some fresh air and fantastic views and find out more about the amazing variety of places to visit in north Kent. There's lots to discover on your doorstep. This year's festival builds on the success of events in previous years, and has expanded to cover the whole of north Kent, from Dartford to Faversham. The walking festival has linked to the Gravesham Heritage Festival in late May, so there are six weeks of walks to enjoy. There are over a hundred walks to choose from, starting in mid May and leading up to the end of June. There are a couple of extra ones squeezed into July too. With guided walks exploring our north Kent towns, coast and countryside, there is something for everyone. You may like to join a guided walk learning about the history of the area (in some cases with costumed walks leaders too). There are walks introducing people to the area's wildlife and landscapes. Walks are a great and economical way to get some exercise and socialise at the same time. The walking festival is delivered by many organisations and groups that want to share in celebrating the great heritage and environment that we have in north Kent. It has been sup- ported this year by Greening the Gateway Kent and Medway, an initiative to promote and improve the quality of the environment for people and wildlife in north Kent. How to book Unless otherwise stated, all places need to be booked in advance, as spaces on many walks are limited. Please do not turn up on the day unless you have pre-booked, as you may be turned away. Booking will close 24 hours before the event. Bookings can be made via: Capstone Farm Country Park, Capstone Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3JG Email: [email protected]. Tel: 01634 338191 (Office open between 10am and 4.30pm) Choosing your walk Key to symbols Walk leader’s Access Limited Break Drink/snack specialist for all mobility during walk at end knowledge Escorted Dogs Suitable for Healthy older welcome pushchairs exercise children What you History Countryside Easy walk can see... Medium difficulty Wildlife Views Built Strenuous walk environment PRINT walks leaflet 2009 SINGLE PAGES.p652 28/04/2009, 14:41 Advice to walkers There is a wide range of walks in the festival, suitable for different interests and abilities. Please use the information provided to judge what suits you best. This includes thinking about the distance that you are comfortable walking. You may also like to decide if you are looking for a walk where you learn lots about the area's history or wildlife, or simply want to enjoy some fresh air and a chance to meet other people. You are welcome to bring your dog on those walks that display the appropriate symbol. Dogs must be kept on a lead and under control at all times. Please ensure that when you book, you indicate that you will be bringing your dog. Some of the walks have been designed to be suitable for people in wheelchairs, or children in pushchairs. These are noted in the summary information for the walk, but you are advised when booking to ask for further information on the route and ground conditions of the walk. Please make sure that you come dressed with appropriate footwear and clothing for the walk. Waterproofs and walking boots are recommended for all guided walks and rambles. You are advised to bring a bottle of water, and on sunny days, sun cream and a hat. Some of the walks will have breaks for snacks and drinks that you have brought with you, or a stop where you may buy some food and drink in a local café or pub. Several walks give the chance for you to enjoy a drink or meal at the end of the ramble. On rare occasions, bad weather may affect an event, but the leader will always be at the starting point to advise of any changes. Travel Parking is available at, or close to, the starting point for the walks. Further details are available on the Walking Festival website at: www.medway.gov.uk. We have tried to make a number of the walks easy to reach by public transport, but this has not always been possible. You can get more information on how to join the walks using public transport in the following ways: For bus and coach information use www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk, www.transportdirect.co.uk or call Traveline on 0871 200 2233. For travel in Medway, you can find details of all bus timetables on the council website at: http:/ /www.medway.gov.uk/publictransport For travel in Dartford, Gravesham and Swale areas, you can find details of timetables on the Kent County Council website: http://www.kent.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/public-transport/ planning-your-journey.htm For trains use the Southeastern website (www.southeasternrailway.co.uk) or UK Railways on the Net (www.rail.co.uk). Both these sites give information about service disruptions. You can also get information from National Rail Enquiries on 0845 748 4950. PRINT walks leaflet 2009 SINGLE PAGES.p653 28/04/2009, 14:41 walking cover:Layout 1 24/4/09 11:52 Page 4 Discover Gravesham - walks organised as part of the Gravesham Heritage Festival WALK Sunday 17 May, 2.30pm and Milton Cemetery. Also learn 1 Guided Historical Walk about its origin as the Victoria Gardens, of Swanscombe a place of entertainment and a prospective tourist attraction. The Join our experienced tour guide venue is the grade II listed chapel Christoph Bull, and discover the formally the concert hall of the gardens. fascinating history of Swanscombe An experienced historian will then guide including information about the visitors on a walk around the grounds industrial revolution, pre-historic which are on the English Heritage human remains, town development as Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. well as more up-to-date information. This humorous tour allows visitors a Location: Meet inside cemetery gates, glimpse into past lives. Old Road West, Gravesend £2 booking fee per person Location: Meet at George and Dragon Places are limited – booking is essential Public House, corner of High Street, via Gravesend Tourist Office Swanscombe (Towncentric) on 01474 337600 Free, no need to book Please note that walking is involved – A fair amount of walking is involved – suitable clothing and footwear is suitable clothing and footwear is required. required. Tuesday 19 May Monday 18 May, WALK WALK Naughty Nuns and 2 2–4pm and 6–8pm 3 Tour of Gravesend Nightingales Coach Tour Cemetery Join the Little Owl Tour Company on a visit to discover the tale of the naughty Listen to a local research group nuns and hear nightingales sing before explaining the history of Gravesend finishing at a country pub for a walking cover:Layout 1 24/4/09 11:52 Page 5 www.towncentric.co.uk/heritagefestival refreshing drink. The tour includes all WALK Wednesday 20 May, transport, light refreshments and a 2-3 5 10.30am–12.30pm hour guided walk across the North Jeskyns Discovery Walk Kent Marshes. Join the Ranger on a guided walk of this new 360 acre Community Location/Pick up times: The Hill, Woodland. Discover how the Forestry Northfleet - 10.00am; Arriva bus Commission has taken inspiration station - 10.05am; Milton Road BP from the past to transform this former Garage - 10.10am; Dickens Road, arable farm into a public space with Gravesend - 10.15am. Drop off: new woodlands, traditional style between 4.00pm and 4.30pm orchards and wildflower meadows. £20 per person For more details and booking please Location: Meet at Jeskyns Community call Carol Donaldson on 07588 Woodland, Cobham 727510. £2 booking fee per person Please bring a packed lunch and Places are limited – booking is suitable clothing including strong essential via Gravesend Tourist Office walking shoes. Walk is mainly flat but (Towncentric) on 01474 337600 includes a number of stiles. Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, dogs welcome but owners WALK Tuesday 19 May, asked to keep under control, children 4 10.30am–1pm must be accompanied by an adult. Historical Walk from There are no toilets on the site. Denton Take in many aspects of river and riverside history, including forgotten ancient inhabited marshland, a murder, naval mutineers, an embarkation hard for D-day, Shornemead Fort and much more. Location: Meet at Riverside path outside Ship and Lobster, Denton £4 adult, £2.50 child/seniors Places are limited – booking is essential via Gravesend Tourist Office (Towncentric) on 01474 337600 There is a lot of walking and some uneven and possibly slippery and muddy surfaces. Gravesham walks walking cover:Layout 1 24/4/09 11:52 Page 6 Gravesham walks WALK Thursday 21 May, Location: Meet at War Memorial, by 6 10am–12noon entrance to Lodge Lane, Cobham. General Gordon Walk Free. Places are limited – booking is Join local Historian Tony Larkin on his essential via Gravesend Tourist Office tour of the town centre, which will also (Towncentric) on 01474 337600 cover the life and influence of General Path may be muddy so suitable Gordon in Gravesend. footwear should be worn. Some steep slopes - not suitable for pushchairs or Location: Meet at Towncentric, Tourist those with limited mobility. Information Centre, 18a St George’s Square, Gravesend. WALK Sunday 24 May, 4pm £4.00 adult, £2.50 child/seniors 9 Tour of Meopham Places are limited – booking is Valley Vineyard essential via Gravesend Tourist Office Enjoy a guided tour of this local (Towncentric) on 01474 337600 organic vineyard, tasting different Please note that a fair amount of wines along the way.