South East
Take a Look At Our Fantastic Selection of Routes
It’s possible to walk or cycle in either direction on this route and it is completely accessible to wheelchair users.Folkestone’s famous Lower Leas has undergone an extensive regeneration project by Shepway District Council, to form the new Coastal Leisure Park, a linear section of land between Folkestone and Sandgate. The park is divided into 3 zones – Wild Zone with picnic tables; Fun Zone with an adventure playground; Formal Zone with planted gardens. The village of Sandgate is rich in military and smuggling history, dating back nearly 500 years. The High Street just behind the sea wall has several interesting antique shops so take a look and see if you can find any hidden gems! The remains of Henry V111’s Sandgate Castle, now a private residence on the edge of the beach, served as one of the 74 Martello Towers that were constructed along the southern coast of England as defence against the Napoleonic threat. Beyond Sandgate the path joins the road for a short distance and then the wide promenade which leads to Hythe
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Follow the Saxon Shore Way markers from the town centre along Faversham Creek to the Swale Estuary. Look out for the traditional Thames Barges! Faversham, a Fair Trade Town, has the longest preserved street; the oldest brewery and the oldest gunpowder mill in the country so a great place to explore while you are in the area! Whitstable, sometimes called The Pearl of Kent, is famous for its oyster beds and the Oyster Festival which takes place every July. Along the walk you will see the 30 turbines of the Kentish Flats Wind Farm which are clearly visible off shore. If you are looking for a bit more adventure during the walk, then there are boat trips from Whitstable to view the wind farm, or seal colonies.
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From Whitstable’s shingle beach you can enjoy some stunning views over the sea – perhaps while supping a pint at the Old Neptune pub, one of few in the country actually on the water’s edge. The way marked Saxon Shore Way follows the sea wall for the length of this section up to Herne Bay. Once you arrive at the bay, you’ll fall in love with the British seaside all over again. With its innate charm and superb coastline, the town offers a treat for the senses. Candyfloss and coffee shops compete for your attention against the timeless wonder of the sea. Whether you relax on the beach with a picnic or take a dip in the inviting water, Herne Bay will take you back to the holidays of your childhood. And you can be safe in the knowledge that Herne Bay’s beaches are among the best. Children can create their own magic memories in a safe environment while being inspired by the jet-skiers and sailing boats that take to the waves.
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The Saxon Shore is clearly waymarked along this section. Herne Bay is a popular seaside resort which has 19th century origins and the 30 turbines of the Kentish Flats Wind Farm are clearly visible off shore. For those in search of traditional seaside magic, you will find it in Herne Bay. Two miles of splendid seafront offer seaside favourites in the shape of candyfloss, ice cream parlours, cafés, friendly pubs and fish and chip bars. From Bishopstone Glen to Reculver a path option along the undercliff allows good views of the geological layers that have been revealed by constant erosion. On reaching Reculver, the ruined church sits on a prominent headland that is now a Country Park, managed in partnership by Canterbury City Council, English Heritage and Kent Wildlife Trust. A byname for the towers of the ruined church is the "Twin Sisters" and they are Reculver's most dominant features so be sure to get us a picture!
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The ruined church at Reculver sits on a prominent headland that is now a Country Park, managed in partnership by Canterbury City Council, English Heritage and Kent Wildlife Trust. At Reculver, the Saxon Shore Way leaves the coast to make its way inland, following the shoreline of the old Wantsum Channel that once separated the Isle of Thanet from mainland Kent. A concrete track along the top of the sea defences provides a bracing walk and cycle route to Minnis Bay. The modern day coast path continues along the sea wall and is way marked Thanet Coast Path, and Wantsum Walk. Minnis Bay is a long sandy bay on the outskirts of Birchington with rocky and shingle areas, promenade and paddling pool – the perfect place to let the kids run around!
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From the rural surroundings of Minnis Bay this section follows the Thanet Coastal Path or the Viking Coastal Trail into the heart of the busy seaside town of Margate. Travel on foot or on a bike in either direction, mainly along the promenades, but at West Bay the route follows a cliff top road for a short way. Minnis Bay is a long sandy bay on the outskirts of Birchington, with extensive mussel beds and many of the eight bays along this section hold Seaside or Blue Flag awards, making this the perfect seaside walk with the family! Margate combines traditional and contemporary seaside attractions and amenities along the promenade and around the small harbour, including a an 18 hole mini-golf course right on the promenade. Watch the tides: The idea of walking from one bay to another may be appealing but ensure you don’t get cut off by the tide. High and Low tide information is often written at each beach by the Bay Inspector, or from www.portoframsgate.co.uk
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From the heart of the busy seaside town of Margate this section follows the Thanet Coastal Path or the Viking Coastal Trail around Foreness Point, to North Foreland and Joss Bay.The 100 turbines of the newly constructed Thanet Off-Shore Wind Farm can be seen 12 kilometres off Foreness Point and are quite the sight! http://www.warwickenergy.com/pdf/ThanetNTSlr.pdf. The path takes in many bays, one of which is Walpole Bay which has one of the last Victorian tidal swimming pools to be built – take a dip if you are feeling brave! Continuing along the route you will then pass, Botany Bay has breathtaking chalk features and Kingsgate Bay which has some of the best examples of chalk caves in the country. •
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From Joss Bay this section follows the Thanet Coastal Path or the Viking Coastal Trail around Foreness Point, through the resort of Broadstairs to the outskirts of Ramsgate. Broadstairs, often described as one of the loveliest seaside towns in Britain, is also famous for its connections with Charles Dickens. The Dickens House Museum and Bleak House is right on the coast so pop in for a bit of history. As you make your way up the coast, you will walk by a variety of bays, including Viking Bay which has everything for the traditional seaside holiday, and Stone Bay and Louisa Bay which are great for rockpooling. Dumpton Gap is one of the best low tide walking routes to Ramsgate to view the natural profile of cliff to sea but watch the tides: The idea of walking from one bay to another may be appealing but ensure you don’t get cut off by the tide. High and Low tide information is often written at each beach by the Bay Inspector, or from www.portoframsgate.co.uk . The walk ends at The King George VI Memorial Park which is formed from the clifftop grounds of the demolished East Cliff House.
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This section follows the Thanet Coastal Path or the Viking Coastal Trail from the outskirts of Ramsgate to the clifftop at Pegwell Bay. The King George VI Memorial Park has been formed from the clifftop grounds of East Cliff House, the home for over fifty years of the nineteenth-century philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore, The Italianate Greenhouse has been restored but is not open to the public at the weekends. Pegwell Bay is part of Kent’s largest National Nature Reserve and the unprotected sea cliffs are of great geological interest. The Viking Ship ‘Hugin’, on permanent display on the cliff top at Pegwell Bay is a replica of a Viking ship which sailed from Denmark to Thanet in 1949 to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of the invasion of Britain, the traditional landing of Hengist and Horsa and the bethrothal of Hengist's daughter, Rowena, to King Vortigen of Kent.
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Sandwich, one of the original Cinque Ports, was once the greatest port and fourth largest town in England. The entire town is a conservation area and Strand Street has what is considered to be the longest continuous stretch of timber-framed buildings in the country. Sandwich Bay is an important area of unimproved sand dunes, mudflats, saltmarsh and dune pasture, important for rare plant life and overwintering birds so plenty to keep an eye out for as you walk along. Deal, a Corporate Member of the Cinque Ports, is often referred to as one of the gems of the East Kent coast and it’s attractions include the last remaining public pier in Kent, and Henry V11’s castle! The White Cliffs Country Trail leads from Sandwich Quay to the coast to rejoin the Saxon Shore Way crossing the Royal St Georges Golf Club and later passing the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
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The Saxon Shore Way & White Cliffs Country Trail follow the seafront at Deal, Walmer, and Kingsdown climbing up for a cliff top walk before descending to towards St Margarets Bay. Deal, a Corporate Member [limb] of the Cinque Ports, is often referred to as one of the gems of the East Kent coast and its attractions include the last remaining public pier in Kent, and Henry V11’s castle! Walmer Castle, another of Henry’s castles, is the official residence of The Lord Warden of The Cinque Ports. The Castle and gardens are open to the public until 4pm on Saturdays so do pop in and take a look around. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk. The ‘First Light Coast’ is the name given to the isolated 'island' of countryside and coastline in the which surrounds the lovely seaside village of St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe with it's secluded cove at St. Margaret's Bay. High on the cliffs an obelisk commemorates The Dover Patrol, and a nearby coastguard lookout has been converted to a tearoom with spectacular views
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An exhilarating walk along the top of the famous White Cliffs of Dover, and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The path starts and finishes at sea level with a steep ascent or descent at either end. http://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk . The ‘First Light Coast’ is the name given to the isolated 'island' of countryside and coastline which surrounds the lovely seaside village of St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe with its secluded cove at St. Margaret's Bay. Please stay away from the cliff edge, due to erosion and cliff falls. The path passes high above the busy cross–channel ferry terminal of the Port of Dover. Nearby is Dover Castle, now richly re-furnished as it would have been in the 12th century, in anticipation of a visit by King Henry 11. Visitors to the Castle can also explore the secret World War 11 tunnels deep in the chalk cliffs. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
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Between the centre of Dover and the famous Shakespeare Cliff the Saxon Shore Way is signposted slightly inland rising above the A20 to the Western Heights. A slightly shorter route along the shoreline shingle via the Western Docks is only passable at low tide. Samphire Hoe, beneath the cliffs, is made up from the material dug to create the channel tunnel. The site is visible, but not accessible, from the path, and has been planted with wildflowers and grasses - a stunning view. The Battle of Britain Memorial with its iconic statue of a pilot and memorial wall is a few steps off the path at Capel Le Ferne. http://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org. This is a walk with stunning coastal views – everything you would want a cliff top walk to be!
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