As spring finally reaches us with the clocks going forward, we are in for longer days and can enjoy the warmer weather. Canterbury and the surrounding areas have the most beautiful scenery. Go put on your walking shoes and take a break from everyday life, get some fresh air and explore my top 5 places to visit.
Westgate Gardens, Canterbury to Chartham
Westgate Gardens is located in the North-West of Canterbury beside the Westgate Towers. Great Stour River runs through the city and the gardens. You can decide the length of your walk but this path leads up to Chartham. You can see beautiful scenery and it is a nice, calming place with plenty of stops to have a picnic along the way. Along the way is toddlers cove a play park for children where they could burn off some energy. It does not matter how long you have as you can spend as little or as long as your like. When you reach Chartham, there are public toilets and a play park. If you are a reader, Chartham has an old public phone box that’s been made into a library. You can borrow, exchange or keep any of the books. If you have ones you do not want anymore, you can put them there. (If you do bring food, please take home your rubbish or use the bins provided).
Blean Woods, Harbledown and Rough Common
Blean woods is a designated National Nature Reserve that stretches over 1.257 acres. While there is plenty of different walking trails l you can explore, you can even find a spot to have a picnic. However, have you heard of the tale of the mysterious wall in Blean woods and have you ever seen the wall for yourself. Around a 20-minute walk from the car park and just off the beaten track, you will find what remains of a building with a wall leftover. There are many tales of what happened to the building and what went on in the woods. Have you got your version? (If you do bring food, please take home your rubbish or use bins in the car park).
Crab and Winkle Railway Line, Canterbury to Whitsbale
The track of the original Canterbury to Whitstable harbour railway had run along the southwest side of Beverly Meadow. Known as the Crab and Winkle line, it became the world’s first steam drone passenger railway, which opened in May 1830.
Passengers were carried until 1931, while goods continued transporting until the line closed in 1952.
In 1997, a charity, The Crab and Winkle Line Trust formed to reopen the route as a footpath and cycleway. This 7.5-mile long footpath and cycleway were opened between Canterbury and Whitstable, running along part of the original trackbed.
The Winding Pond, which formerly supplied water for the static winding engine, was incorporated into a picnic and rest area for cyclists and walkers on the route.
Capel-le-Ferne, Folkstone
Located 40 minutes outside of Canterbury, you have Capel-le-Ferne. This village is near Folkstone and is on top of the White Cliffs of Dover. Near the top is a little cafe (cash only), where you can enjoy an ice cream or cold drink while taking in the views. While you can have a walk along the top of the cliffs, some stairs lead into the cliffs. You can explore the woodland areas or make your way down to the beach. Just remember, what goes down must come back up. The Battle of Britain Memorial was opened on 9th July 1993. It is dedicated to those who fought in the battle. The Memorial is built upon part of a former World War II coastal battery (No. 2 and No. 3 guns). The Channel Tunnel runs underneath the northernmost part of the village.
St Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury
St Augustine’s Abbey, which now forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is owned and managed by English Heritage. You are able to stroll St Augustine’s Abbey, which now forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is owned and managed by English Heritage. You can stroll through the remains of the Abbey and it is a lovely spot for a picnic. After they put funding into the excavation of the site, they unearthed the history of the Abbey, which included the former burial place for the Anglo-Saxon Kings of Kent. Shortly founded in AD 597 by St Augustine, this marked the rebirth of Christianity in southern England. Even though little remains of St Augustine’s Abbey today, you can imagine the structure of the buildings as they were before and delve into the history. St Augustine’s has seen a lot over the years, which includes the site of a royal palace, a poorhouse, a goal and a school.
Tips and reminders
- Stay hydrated
- Check the weather forecast (we do live in England afterall)
- Have the apporiate footwear
- Check the opening hours
- If you do have any rubbish, please take it home or use the bins
Emmiesummer x
Emmiesummer 
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