HYTHE : WALKING

THE SOUND OF SILENCE Jody Vaughan steps out along a tranquil towpath in which offers you the chance to be alone with your thoughts

ent may be one of the most trails is outlined in the Royal Military left down a narrower path (which now densely-populated counties Canal Walks Pack. You need to send off becomes a little more muddy). Very soon in the UK but it contains for this, though, enclosing a cheque for you’ll pass over a dog-friendly stile. swathes of countryside that £3.95 made payable to District Continue along the main track. are surprisingly tranquil. Council, to: Romney Marsh Countryside A little further on, when you see a Indeed,K while walking this route from The Project, Romney Marsh Day Centre, Rolfe 3wooden plank bridge (unsigned) to Club’s Dalearces site, I didn’t see another Lane, , Romney Marsh, your right, turn right to cross over a small soul when I left the towpath alongside the Kent TN28 8JR. dyke. Then veer slightly left across the . This trail is not only field towards a gap in the opposite fence, quiet – from the top of the valley, it also DIRECTIONS to the left of a large tree. Passing to the Landranger Map 189 offers amazing views to the sea and beyond. Leave the site’s main entrance and turn left of this tree, exit the field past a Although this month’s walk takes in 1left down the road (be careful as there’s disused makeshift metal gate. Keep right just a short stretch of the canal, an no pavement). Continue until you reach a to walk down the right side of the next abundance of wildlife and a lack of noise blue cycle path sign, marked with a number field, down a trodden path. may entice you to step out along every ‘2’. Turn right here, down Aldergate Lane Where the field opens out, continue one of its 28 miles (albeit in sections), (marked as a no through road), and continue 4straight ahead down the centre, still from Seabrook in Kent to Cliff End in until you cross the bridge over the canal. following the lightly-trodden/driven track East , via Romney Marsh. Then, immediately, at the crossroads, turn towards a house on the hill in front of Walkers are spoiled for choice here and, left following the green footpath sign (along you. Cross over a stile (small dog for a small cost, you can pick up details of a the ). friendly) on the far left-hand side of few local routes from the reception office When the path forks and the main track the field, turning around to enjoy the at Daleacres. Alternatively, a lovely set of 2goes right through a metal gate, keep views behind you.

September 2013 The Caravan Club Magazine 99 WALKING : HYTHE

INFORMATION Follow the direction of the arrow over keep the fence to your right. As the path 6 a narrow plank bridge towards levels, you’ll see an upright metal girder at another post in front of you (a little the corner of the barbed wire fence – just further up the hill). Follow its direction beyond this is a slightly-overgrown stile. out of the field’s top left-hand corner, Cross over the stile and walk diagonally down a narrow dirt path that goes behind across the next field towards the farmhouse the house gardens (be careful as this could (following the line of the electricity pylons get very slippery in winter). on your left). Cross over a V-stile (most dogs could At the farm buildings, continue 7 jump this) and turn left towards a 10 straight ahead in the direction of cattle grid. Cross another V-stile and the house and pass its right flank. Then follow the direction of the arrow slightly walk down its driveway until you reach right towards another post in front of you. the lane (don’t let dogs off the lead by the Continue ahead at this post, still veering house by request of the owners). Having slightly right, to continue along the line of carefully crossed the cattle grid, turn left a fence on your left towards a lone tree at and you’ll find yourself back on the Club site: Daleacres Caravan Club Site, Lower Wall Road, the base of a small ridge (keeping the military road that runs along the canal. West Hythe, Hythe, Kent CT21 4NW. See p72 of the ridge to your right). You can either use the road or the Sites Directory & Handbook 2013/14for full details. To book, Continue over a slightly-overgrown footpath that runs along the top of the call 01342 327490 or see caravanclub.co.uk/searchandbook. stile and keep ahead on the same bank but, either way, keep the canal to Open: 22 March to 11 November. 8 Distance: 6.7 miles general line (still following that small your right. Terrain/level of difficulty: easy paths, some quiet lanes, ridge on your right). Pass through a metal Where the lane curves sharply to the potentially muddy fields, with one long, hard climb gate and continue ahead at the T-junction 11 left, go straight ahead over a stile (dog Number of stiles: 10 towards another stile (not dog friendly). friendly) and continue along the now grassy Essential equipment: Ordnance Survey Explorer Map No 138 Continue ahead and go straight through path. Pass over another stile and continue (Dover, and Hythe) the centre of the next field. Then, just straight ahead (keeping right) onto a more Refreshments:none Toilets: none past the white house on your right, veer major track, now retracing your steps back left to leave the lightly-marked tractor to the canal bridge. track to walk beneath – and to the left of – At the red-painted barriers marked Continue up the farm track ahead, the electricity pole, towards the far left 12 ‘Welcome to the Royal Military 5roughly keeping to the left side of this corner of the field. Canal’, turn right to return over the field as you pass up the steep hill, until you Cross over the stile (not dog friendly) green railed bridge and up the lane to see a public footpath post in the centre of 9and turn left to walk down the right- the T-junction. Once there, turn left to the field (parallel to some stone ruins). hand side of the next field (ignoring another continue back towards the static caravan Head towards this. stile on your right). As you descend the hill, park and then back to Daleacres Club site.

The Caravan Club Magazine recommends the use of Ordnance Survey maps – your idealnavigating passport to Britain

100 www.caravanclub.co.uk