DittonMaidstone

Ditmai one
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By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021


Distance

8km/5mi

Ascent

94m

Descent

82m

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Description

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Ditton and Maidstone.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Ditton and Maidstone.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

Status

This route has been reviewed by 2 people.

There are no issues flagged.

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Information

Not verified

Route status - Live

Reviews - 2

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (2)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 6

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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Ditton
Grid Ref TQ7156357986
Lat / Lon 51.29515° / 0.45936°
Easting / Northing 571,563E / 157,986N
What3Words expert.springing.wired
Maidstone
Grid Ref TQ7590255982
Lat / Lon 51.27583° / 0.52054°
Easting / Northing 575,902E / 155,982N
What3Words rising.barn.pushed

Ditmai One's land is

Arable 0.6%
Pasture 42.3%
Urban 57.1%

Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018

reviews


Daisy C

11 Sep 2023 (edited 17 Mar 2024) Summer

This was a lovely walk, mostly along the River Medway although the northern half mixes in some residential streets, field paths and woodland. The riverside parts are very tranquil especially between Allington Lock and Maidstone where the houseboats also add a bit of colour. There was a footpath diversion near Coldharbour Lane in Sept 2023 but it was well signed and Kent Council's website suggests it has now be reinstated, March 2024. The route was drawn quite roughly, but happily this has little effect in this case, but perhaps take extra care between the M20 footbridge and Alllington Lock, the one place where it is ambiguous and unfortunately where footpath signs were also missing in Sept 2023.

There are several long ramps up to bridges, some steps on earth banks and long metal stairs up to a bridge in Maidstone, plus various gates and stiles. One riverbank path (in Alyesford) had recently been below the high tide level and led on to a woodland path with an exceptional amount of high roots across the path. There was a footpath diversion somewhere between Coldharbour Lane and the M20 footbridge but it was easy to use (and apparently reinstated before this edit in March 2024) and a railway level crossing. There could well be muddy sections between Ditton and Allington Lock but this was not an issue as I was there during a heatwave.

Mid route rest stops.
Aylesford Station is fairly close to the Ditton end point. You could divert into pretty Aylesford Village (just 200m over the Old Bridge) with several pubs, village shop, etc. At Allington Lock there is a cute coffee kiosk in the central island and a large pub/Beefeater on the north bank. There are no handy bus stops but the 101 Maidstone-Gillingham bus route (on the A229) or the 71 Maidstone-Snodland (Coldharbour Roundabout) are within reach and frequent enough to be useful.

I took a look at the alternative suggested in the comments, using more of the River Park on the north/east bank of the Medway. About a mile has been closed since 2020 due to a landslip. Funding grants for £1.5+ million have yet to be applied for! I walked the diversion (busy traffic with HGVs) and a little further along the river (very nice, and maybe it is easier than the south bank). But right now I'd still choose this much more peaceful route despite possible mud.

https://therivermedway.co.uk/tide-times/.


And

30 Apr 2021 Spring

The route starts from Maidstone Museum and goes through Brenchley Gardens to the path by the side of Maidstone East station with good quality surfaces here.
The route dips down on a gradual slope and it is necessary to cross the A229 by the crossing with traffic lights about 150 yards to the left ( or use the rail bridge and come down stairs on far side of bridge )
The route then slopes down to the edge of the river Medway. This section is in good condition with a surface for cycling , wheelchair and prams and reasonable all the way to Allington Locks. There was a temporary repair of the bank and short diversion ( by the first footbridge to Millenium Park. ) . At Allington Locks there were further works but it was straightforward to cross and afterwards had a small climb and sections of the path were gravel and increasingly stoney surface . The footpath goes past the boatyard and then across fields and edge of woods to a level crossing. The path then follows the river bank to Aylesford where there is a short road section and it is necessary to cross the road by Forstal and Station Road at the old Aylesford Bridge. The river bank path then gets increasingly uneven with roots and then becomes quite muddy considering the recent dry weather. The final section was mainly amongst housing and is from Teapot lane up across and into Ditton with pedestrian bridges across the M20 and A20.
Overall it is a reasonable walking route (with limited climbing and some mixed surfaces with some sections suitable for a range of wheeled access ( particularly the riverbank sections apart from the section in Aylesford which was muddy and had many roots. Also it should be noted that there are 3 level crossings which require appropriate care when crossing following warning signage instructions.
Generally ok first route for walkers but probably could be improved regarding directness and access for all potential users by adding some short road sections. ( Also minimising the level crossings would be beneficial)
The other side of the riverbank ( right bank) from Maidstone to Aylesford ( without crossing at the locks) is easier to use without the fields and more rough sections across fields and woods and avoids 2 of the level crossings . This is a suggestion for an amendment to the route.

  • Judie

    Judie

    10 May 2022

    I have walked this route in effect many times as parts of other walks. I totally agree that using the right bank from Maidstone to Aylesford would make it far easier to use for wheeled means of access and would support the suggested amended change.

  • Daisy C

    Daisy C

    06 Sep 2023

    "CLOSURES: The path between Aylesford village and Forstal Road (back of Travis Perkins) is closed due subsidence at the rear of The Cottage Industrial Estate." Apparently that part of the river walk is closed right now. What a shame! No suggestion when it may reopen either. https://www.maidstoneriverpark.co.uk/things-to-do/medway-towpath/

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