Stour Valley Walk

Location: Kent

OS Maps: Explorer 137, 150

The Stour Valley Walk will give you the opportunity of enjoying a valley walk across east Kent from the source of the River Stour at Lenham to the sea at Pegwell Bay near Sandwich. The 83km route, which passes through Ashford and Canterbury, is of interest for its landscape and history, and for its archaeological, historical and architectural features.

The walk passes through a varied landscape of downland, woodland, orchards, hop gardens and farmland; lakes, dykes and marshland; unspoilt villages and hamlets; and historic towns. Linking all these features in a thread-like pattern is the meandering Kentish Stour, the major watercourse in east Kent. 'Major' is relative however, as upstream from Ashford the river is under 4.5m wide. Near the end of the walk a visit to the ruins of Richborough Castle is worthwhile. This Roman fort was an important stronghold, guarding the Saxon shore end of the Wantsum Channel.

	Guide Book:
	Stour Valley Walk by Kent County council This guide is exceptionally well researched and produced. There are many colour photographs illustrating the informative background essays on the region. The central section gives route information and excellent maps printed on waterproof paper. [Click for further information or to purchase]