Even if you force your way through you end up crossing the A299 near a summit that conceals cars approaching at 70mph or more....

John C

However in a wet early February the river was extremely high and fast, towards Canterbury almost as high as the path....

Daisy C

Lovely walk from Chartham to Barham on a damp day during a wet period. River Stour was extremely high but this part of the river path only had puddles whereas boots and detours were needed closer to Canterbury. When crossing the river you join the Canterbury Outer Ring walk, well waymarked, for about 5km/3mi. Works beyond the river were in progress and the path was fenced off. Didn't see that but later noted that Canterbury Outer Ring Walk (designed recently by locals in 2019) does not take the cut I missed across the southern tip. The apparently moved diagonal path later mentioned by MM does in fact have a farm gate in the position shown as correct on the map but it was locked. As if by magic a man appeared in the next field who gruffly called out to me that the path was in fact down along his side of the field. There were no internal electric fences and the waterlogged hoof prints showed horses had in fact been congregating against the fence right in the new theoretical position of the path. Buses are less frequent and only run until about 7, although waiting in the Duke of Cumberland was lovely or you could walk uphill for later running buses at the A2 junction...

Daisy C

The A2050 underpass isn't fully accessible as there are stairs....

Ricechrisb

There is a little village shop by the green, and a pub further down the road (off the Slow Way). To get on the right track you need to go right on through the zone of trees and scrub and beyond into the next field before turning up the hill as the line of the actual route lies a little to the east of the plotted route (and the right of way marked on the OS map if you are using one). Once out of the wood there is a long, straight, efficient but not particularly exciting walk through highly managed currant and apple plantations and an enclosed bridleway before reaching a short section of road. From there a grassy path leads downhill through a vast, newly planted vineyard to cross a busy B road into a village. One short section of path down through the edge of a wood towards Little Eaton Farm was a tad overgrown (photo 6) but looked to be regularly walked and my suggested route tweak is at Reed Farm (from w3w warbler.poets.drilled to swelling.spite.beginning) where I reckon it is much quicker and easier to go round by the road instead of taking the footpath through the fields. The remainder of the walk crosses two more valleys at Marley and past Heart’s Delight farm, both quiet and lovely. The only less delightful bit was the arable field below Marley Wood where the path is supposed to run along the western edge but was impassably messy with piled farmyard manure and ten metres of recently ploughed ground. The footpath across the last field before the road is marked diagonally from the gateway, but if you head on to the far corner instead, there is a stile and you can walk along the fence line to avoid horses and electric fences....

Mockymock

I walked a different route because so many paths were either unsafe or entirely blocked. You can walk Faversham to Chartham, but not by this route....

Naomi

As you leave the city the path is very clearly marked, you pretty much just follow the river straight to Chartham. Not too muddy and as others mentioned the path is shared with cyclists....

Naomi

Later he couldn't find a path behind Great Bromley Farm, but this was no problem when the fields were down to stubble in February. I did have a problem following the path across the fields south of Wye. There are good views of Chilham Castle from around here too....

Daisy C

Basically you follow the Stour Valley path, so it is the best route for this stretch. Mostly it is easy to follow, using a combination of the SlowWays map and Stour Valley Walk signs but:. Leaving the station, use the SlowWays map to walk past the Stour Centre, and you will then pick up the Stour Valley signs. Then head across the fields to the left as per the SlowWays map - the Stour Valley sign was missing at that point when we did the walk....

James Bradley

However, in the late autumn/winter I have always found this route to be very wet and difficult to traverse in some places (without getting wet feet). Nonetheless, traversable with boots and in all shoe types in spring, summer and early autumn....

ShortLegsLongWalk

Some sheep grids which might impede a wheelchair but this is a surfaced (sand/ gravel and some tarmac stretches near Canterbury and Chartham ) route. It’s popular with runners, cyclists and walkers. Especially recommended early morning when mist often shrouds the water meadows/ marshes and adjacent lakes and river....

[email protected]

You will also find benches along the route including one with a table with animals carved into it. Following the route to Westgate Gardens in Canterbury brings you out at the bottom of the main pedestrian street with access to numerous cafes and tea rooms in addition to Canterbury Cathedral itself....

Dave Hogben

This route follows the Stour Valley Walk and National Cycle Route 18 for almost its entire length (up to Westgate Gardens on the edge of Canterbury City centre), and is well signposted and waymarked. It is almost completely traffic-free, generally on good surfaces, and should be suitable for most users. Flooding may be a problem after heavy rain or when river levels are high....

Andrew

I think this route is very accessible, it follows part of Route 18 of the National Cycle Network....

chrisboucher

Follows much of the Stour Valley Walk from Ashford via Wye, Crundale, Godmersham and Chilham....

DavidT