WALK 5 St Margaret’s Bay

43 guarding the gateway If can be characterised as ’s frontline county, then nowhere does the “front” come closer to the surface than at St Margaret’s Bay.

explore - the Saxon Shore Way Location: St Margaret’s Bay Distance: 4.7 miles (7.5km) Time: allow 2 hours 45 minutes Explorer Map: 138 Stiles: 1 Parking: car park at St Margaret’s Bay St Margaret’s Bay Margaret’s 5 St St Margaret’s Bay Refreshments and facilities: the Coastguard public house and public

WALK toilets at St Margaret’s beach; tearooms at former Coastguard Station, at the top of the Leas. Public transport: for information about local bus and train services in Kent, contact Traveline tel: 0870 6082608, www.traveline.org.uk Step count: approx 9,400 44 44 © Crown copyright 100019238.

explore - the Saxon Shore Way explore - the Saxon Shore Way This circular walk, much of it along quiet roads where the going is very easy, is dotted with reminders of Britain’s more recent conflicts. The views from the cliff tops of the South Foreland and The Leas, above the Bay, are a reminder of the strategic and economic importance of this busy seaway. The coast of can be seen across the Channel on a clear day.

From the car park, walk past the Coastguard public At the bottom of the valley, the route passes house and back up Bay Hill. Bear left to follow the through the middle of the former gun position of a Saxon Shore Way signs along Beach Road past the high velocity howitzer “Bruce”. popular Pines Gardens and St. Margaret’s Museum. Follow the path uphill again on to The Leas where 4545 The centrepiece of the Pines Gardens is a brooding the former Coastguard Station has been converted statue of Winston Churchill – a reminder in bronze into a welcoming tearoom with excellent Channel of Britain’s darkest days when Nazi invaders were views. just 20 miles (32km) away. The entrance to the St Continue along the clifftops where the Margaret’s Museum is dramatically guarded by two underground military defences are now securely naval cannons. barred to keep people out. This is a good place to The path then leads through Lighthouse Down and look for the tracks and burrows of foxes, badgers past the whitewashed South Foreland Lighthouse. and rabbits. The striking Victorian lighthouse is now conserved At the end of the walk, the shingle beach of St by the National Trust. The concrete remnants of Margaret’s Bay, toilet facilities, The Coastguard cross-Channel gun positions and observation posts public house and car parking, are just a five-minute are still clearly visible in the undergrowth. downhill stroll. Once past the lighthouse, follow the track along The White Cliffs Countryside Project was set up to Lighthouse Road towards the village of St Margaret’s help conserve and enhance the special coast and at Cliffe. Cross the main road and continue along countryside of and Shepway districts, and The Droveway to pick up the footpath heading make it accessible to all. across fields towards the Free Down. (www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk)

explore - the Saxon Shore Way explore - the Saxon Shore Way look out for... • The Pines Gardens did you know? • Statue of Winston Churchill St Margaret’s Museum Marconi conducted experiments in radio • communication at South Foreland lighthouse. St Margaret’s Bay Margaret’s 5 St • South Foreland Lighthouse – National Trust St Margaret’s Bay was a regular landing point for smugglers in East Kent. WALK Ship Spotters • St Margaret’s smock windmill was Cross-Channel gun positions from the • constructed in 1928 to generate power. Second World War - called Winnie & Pooh Dover Patrol Memorial, an impressive needle memorial on The Leas, commemorates the Views of the White Cliffs and the French • heroism of the Royal Navy’s Dover Patrol in two coast World Wars.

Both playwright Noel Coward and author Ian 4646 The Romans placed two lighthouses, known as pharos, to alert seafarers in the treacherous Fleming – creator of James Bond – made their Dover Straits. One was built at nearby Dover home at St Margaret’s Bay. Castle and a second on the Western Heights.

explore - the Saxon Shore Way WALK 5 St Margaret’s Bay

Start/Finish

Open access land - areas of land where you can walk freely and don’t have to stick to public footpaths South Foreland Lighthouse

© Crown copyright 100019238. Saxon Shore Way _ Garden Kilometres 0.5 1 0  Museum p Parking " Public House Miles 0.5 PC Public Convenience Gate Stile explore - the Saxon Shore Way National cycle network Take Care 1