Kent Weald Downs Countryside Walking Cycling Golf Kent UK

Kent Low & High Weald

The Weald countryside of Kent and Sussex is the area between the North and South Downs AONB. In Kent this includes the stunning High Weald to the centre west from Tunbridge Wells to Tenterden which is also a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Low Weald around Maidstone. The term Weald has origins in the Germanic word 'wald' meaning forest or wilderness. The High Weald Area, especially between Tunbridge Wells and Tenterden, is the most popular area of the Weald and it's here you'll find the 'Seven Wonders of the Weald' which include attractions Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Lamberhurst Vineyard, Scotney and Royal Tunbridge Wells.

The High Weald remains much the same as it was in the medieval period, with its distinctive landscape of woodland, rolling hills, gills or steep-sided ravines, sandstone outcrops transgressed by streams and sections of heathland. The High Weald Country Tour from Tenterden to Tunbridge Wells is one of Kent's top natural highlights. The drive is stunning and attractions are numerous including historic homes, castles and gardens, a choice of Kent vineyards and two heritage steam railways - the Spa Valley Railway and the Kent and East Sussex Railway. The latter is best boarded at Tenterden. For more information on the landscape and attractions in the High Weald see the High Weald webguide links right.

Maidstone and around makes for a perfect location from which to explore the Low Weald area distinctive for its wooded scarp, hedge, hedgerow and small pasture landscape.

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Tenterden Jewel of the High Weald

South west of Ashford via the A28 sees you pushing into Kent's High Weald territory to discover some of the county's most attractive towns and villages. Tenterden stands as the High Weald's 'Jewel', with its stunning market town centre, delightful High Street with enviable specialist arts and crafts shops mixing with modern retail names, and a fine show of Georgian architecture within this Kent town which has largely escaped the throws of modern development.

The history of the town is a fascinating one. Tenterden's heritage as a medieval wooltown around the 13th century is linked to the sea, with which it once had direct access via the Smallhythe port. This was when the whole of the Romney Marsh area was underwater! Tenterden's surrounds couldn't be more attractive, and a delightful way to explore the area is via the Kent & East Sussex Railway. You're only a hop and skip away from the Sussex border based here at Tenterden too, with easy access to beautiful Rye, Winchelsea and nearby Bodiam Castle.

Tenterden Tourist Information Office (seasonal only), The Town Hall, High Street, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6AN. Tel. 01580 763572.

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Blean Woodlands & The Elham Valley Way

North of Canterbury the ancient woodlands of the Blean (see webguide right) push up towards the coast. Incorporated within the Blean woodlands area, currently receiving much attention and tourist focus, are cycle and walking paths, woodland walks, charming country pubs and villages and a host of wildlife waiting to be discovered.

The relatively new Crab and Winkle cycle path is the main cycle path in the area, accessed direct from Canterbury centre. Checkout Downland Cycle Hire (webguide right) for details on hiring bikes in Canterbury. Downland suggest a number of cycle routes and trails in the Canterbury area on their superb website, including a short cycle route around the city of Canterbury. For Cycle Hire contact Downland Cycles, Cycle Hire Canterbury, The Malthouse, St. Stephens Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7JA. Tel. 01227 479643.

The stunning Elham Valley Way walking route pushes all the way up from Hythe to Canterbury tracing in large part the course of the Nait Bourne River through pretty villages such as Elham. A number of historic churches sit around the Elham area.The Elham Valley Trail pushes up and on towards Canterbury via Barham into the North Downs and ancient woodland (see Barham Village webguide for details of surrounding area attractions). Folkestone makes for the perfect base for walking the Elham Valley Trail.

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Romney Marsh Wildlife, Cycling & Walking

Romney Marsh is gaining a reputation as a cycling mecca, particularly for family cycling holidays. The superb Romney Marsh Meanders cycle pack (see the Romney Marsh Countryside Projects' webguide right to download a sample) gives details of 5 self guided cycle rounts around the stunning flat lanes of the Romney Marsh. Leisurely flat cycling, perfect for family cycle holidays, is on the menu here. The national Cycle Network (Sustrans) Route 2 weaves into the Romney Marsh for a stretch, and you can undertake longer cycle runs all the way to pretty Rye in Sussex if you're seeking a more demanding challenge. The annual Shepway Cyclethon takes place in June.

Miles and miles of footpaths criss-cross the Romney Marsh across farmland. For remote and peaceful walking, Romney Marsh is one of the best spots in the country. Walking the marshes is one of the best ways to discover the areas wildlife, from leaping marsh frogs to reed warblers. Birdwatchers will spot species such as skylarks, yellowhammers and corn buntings, before making a beeline to the RSPB reserve at Dungeness. A walking pack has been put together by the Romney Marsh Countryside Project called 'The Magic of Romney Marsh'. Contact them via the website for details and download a sample of the pack from their website.

The Kent Wildlife administered Romney Marsh visitor centre sits near New Romney at Romney Warren (on the A259 to Dymchurch/turn left just before New Romney). The centre sits within 11 hectares on a site of national importance specifically for its population of great crested newts, alongside other important species here such as great diving beetles, small red-eyed damselfly and tree sparrows. The acid grassland plants are also of national importance and distinctive in the wetlands. Toilets and a gift shop are on-site, with hot drinks and tourist information available on the Romney Marsh. It's well worth calling into the Romney Marsh visitor centre for details leaflets, maps and more information on the marshes first, before heading in to explore.

Kent Wildlife Trust, Romney Marsh Visitor Centre, Dymchurch Road, New Romney, Kent TN28 8AY. Tel. 01797 369487. Open March to October: Open all week from 11am to 4pm. October to March, open Sundays 11am to 4pm.

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Dungeness Nature Reserve & RSPB Visitor Centre

The Dungeness Nature Reserve is open daily from 9am to 9pm, whilst the RSPB Visitor Centre is open from 10am to 5pm (4pm from November to February). Look to the RSPB Dungeness webguide right for the extensive list of star species you can expect to see in the area including Bitterns, Smew, Weatear and the rare visits of the Slavonian Grebe. Seasonal highlights are also outlined in detail on the RSPB site.

The centre offers a superb listing of events, including guided birdwatching tours, Easter Treasure Trails and exhibitions. Six viewing hides, no less, are within the reserve, with one viewing point within the visitor centre itself. Facilities are excellent for families with on-site refreshments available, shop with stocks of binoculars and telescopes, gifts bird food and books. Also on-site is a picnic area, toilets including disabled toilet, a car park and the site is pushchair friendly. Directions to the visitor centre are on the RSPB Dungeness website.

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Kent Coast Walking - Chalk & Channel Way & Saxon Shore Way

The National Trust cares for around 6 miles of the Dover Cliffs around the Langdon Cliff Stretch. Here sits the Trust's visitor centre, a good starting point for spectacular cliff walking and cross Channel views. White Cliffs Trails run all the way from Dover upto Sandwich. A choice of guided walks along the White Cliffs and inland around Dover are available via the White Cliffs Countryside Project webguide. Walking south of Dover along the Dover to Folkestone stretch is equally spectacular, and there's one feature along this coast that wasn't there when Charles Dickens enjoyed his walking along the cliffs from Dover to Folkstone and that's the Samphire Hoe which jutts out into the sea and was constructed from around five million cubic metres of Chalk Marl produced from the construction of the Channel Tunnel. Wildlife and fauna continues to flourish on this fascinating manmade creation.

The Saxon Shore Way is a long distance Kent walking trail stretching for 160 miles (257km) from Gravesend in North West Kent right around the Kent coast to Hastings in East Sussex. Along the way you can expect to see some of England's finest and most historic coastline, including the designated Heritage Coastal stretch taking in the White Cliffs of Dover towards Folkestone. The Chalk and Channel Way funs along the top of the hertiage White Cliffs Coast from Folkestone to Dover and is both a walking and cycling path. This route is also part of the National Roue 2 with the National Cycle Network. Details are via the White Cliffs Countryside Project. Along the Chalk and Channel Way are a number of artworks including the Sampire Tower at Samphire Hoe.

Kent castles, historic Roman forts (note Reculver east of Herne Bay on the North Kent Coast), Martello towers, defensive castle strongholds, striking chalky cliffs and marshes are just some of the natural and historic features you can expect to see. See Kent County Council's walking guide weblink right for more details on the Saxon Shore Way, the Way's guide book and other walking trails in Kent including The Greensand Way and the North Downs Way.

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Kent Golf

Kent's particular edge regarding its choice of over 100 golf courses is variety. The region boasts a choice of world class links courses particularly around Sandwich Bay and the historic cinque ports. Other Kent golf hotspots are within the Weald - Nick Faldo's famous Chart Hills course is at Biddenden and you'll frind more golf choice around Canterbury and the Thanet coastal resorts of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. Many of Kent's famous historic houses and castles boast outstanding golf courses within their grounds including golf courses at Knole Park and Leeds Castle.

Sandwich and the Cinque Ports coastline is particularly good for golf, with some of the famous golf courses here serving as Open Championship hosts. The three golf courses in the immediate Sandwich area include the Championship Royal Saint George's Golf Course (18 hole), Princes Golf Course (18 hole) and the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Course at Deal (18 hole). Checkout the webguides for all three of these golf courses linked right. Two of these golf courses, The Royal St George's and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs have played host to the Open Championships!

The three golf courses in the immediate Sandwich area include the Championship Royal Saint George's Golf Course (18 hole), Princes Golf Course (18 hole) and the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Course at Deal (18 hole). Checkout the webguides for all three of these golf courses linked right. Two of these golf courses, The Royal St George's and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs have played host to the Open Championships!

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