Gilque two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Gilque here.

This route avoids trying to cross a ford on Sheppey that 2/3 reviewers couldn't even get close to, because the field around was flooded. Although a third reviewer could remove their shoes and paddle through. The end section, between Kingsferry Bridge and Queenborough, could be used by any of the SitQue or QueFav routes which also use the same footpath. Locals appear to use other informal paths but luckily a brand new section of the England Coastal Path has just opened just there.

It is in three distinct sections:

Section 1 between Gillingham and Rainham is largely along a wide and popular footpath right next to the coastline of the Medway estuary, with great views almost all the time. This section was changed a little to be step free and use light-controlled road crossings.

Section 2 between Rainham and the Kingsferry Bridge is along field paths and a few quiet lanes. The land is generally higher, with some views inland or across the estuary. This section is changed to avoid the problematic road-walking noted in Steve P’s review of GilSit 1.

There are a couple of points where it strays from OS mapped rights of way. Beside Lower Rainham Road, near Otterham Quay, it keeps off the busy, non-pavemented road using an informal but well-used permissive path through a pear orchard, then a diagonal public footpath. A new estate just opposite will have an alternative way looping south when it’s complete. Just northeast of Iwade there is another permissive path replacing a public right of way blocked by a thicket of young trees. It leaves the road through a gate a few metres closer to the village, follows two field edges and rejoins the footpath after crossing a small ditch.

Section 3 is on the Isle of Sheppey, after crossing the Swale over Kingsferry Bridge. It uses a freshly minted section of the England Coastal Path to Rushenden. Unfortunately the wooden waymarkers didn’t have the small arrows attached yet when it was tested, so please use them if this route doesn’t match up. Between the bridge and the sewage works I think the ECP will be along the bottom of the sea wall, perhaps to avoid disturbing nesting birds, which is easier going as the deep ruts (dirt bike scarring?) are hard to see under the long grass. The route comes off the ECP early because a large and permanent pool of water blocks the other end.

This might be a good accessible Slow Way if it ended at Rainham. To get to the station from the Country Park exit at TQ 8212 6728 head straight across through Berengrave Nature Reserve (inside the western edge), Then along Chalky Bank Road and a short bit on Station Road, over the level crossing or footbridge.

Break points: There are public toilets and a cafe at the Strand in Gillingham, and again in Riverside Country Park. There are 2 pubs on Lower Rainham Road, and about a mile south of the route in the main part of Rainham is a station (the main trainline) buses and places to get food. Lower Halstow has another pub and a shop. Iwade has a pub, bus stops, and hidden inside a courtyard behind a chippy is a cafe, convenience shop and pharmacy. The same bus goes over the Kingsferry Bridge where there is also the unmanned Swale station on the five-station Sheppey line

This route avoids trying to cross a ford on Sheppey that 2/3 reviewers couldn't even get close to, because the field around was flooded. Although a third reviewer could remove their shoes and paddle through. The end section, between Kingsferry Bridge and Queenborough, could be used by any of the SitQue or QueFav routes which also use the same footpath. Locals appear to use other informal paths but luckily a brand new section of the England Coastal Path has just opened just there.

It is in three distinct sections:

Section 1 between Gillingham and Rainham is largely along a wide and popular footpath right next to the coastline of the Medway estuary, with great views almost all the time. This section was changed a little to be step free and use light-controlled road crossings.

Section 2 between Rainham and the Kingsferry Bridge is along field paths and a few quiet lanes. The land is generally higher, with some views inland or across the estuary. This section is changed to avoid the problematic road-walking noted in Steve P’s review of GilSit 1.

There are a couple of points where it strays from OS mapped rights of way. Beside Lower Rainham Road, near Otterham Quay, it keeps off the busy, non-pavemented road using an informal but well-used permissive path through a pear orchard, then a diagonal public footpath. A new estate just opposite will have an alternative way looping south when it’s complete. Just northeast of Iwade there is another permissive path replacing a public right of way blocked by a thicket of young trees. It leaves the road through a gate a few metres closer to the village, follows two field edges and rejoins the footpath after crossing a small ditch.

Section 3 is on the Isle of Sheppey, after crossing the Swale over Kingsferry Bridge. It uses a freshly minted section of the England Coastal Path to Rushenden. Unfortunately the wooden waymarkers didn’t have the small arrows attached yet when it was tested, so please use them if this route doesn’t match up. Between the bridge and the sewage works I think the ECP will be along the bottom of the sea wall, perhaps to avoid disturbing nesting birds, which is easier going as the deep ruts (dirt bike scarring?) are hard to see under the long grass. The route comes off the ECP early because a large and permanent pool of water blocks the other end.

This might be a good accessible Slow Way if it ended at Rainham. To get to the station from the Country Park exit at TQ 8212 6728 head straight across through Berengrave Nature Reserve (inside the western edge), Then along Chalky Bank Road and a short bit on Station Road, over the level crossing or footbridge.

Break points: There are public toilets and a cafe at the Strand in Gillingham, and again in Riverside Country Park. There are 2 pubs on Lower Rainham Road, and about a mile south of the route in the main part of Rainham is a station (the main trainline) buses and places to get food. Lower Halstow has another pub and a shop. Iwade has a pub, bus stops, and hidden inside a courtyard behind a chippy is a cafe, convenience shop and pharmacy. The same bus goes over the Kingsferry Bridge where there is also the unmanned Swale station on the five-station Sheppey line