Walks

Background.

Linda Harrison originally organised the ‘Guided Health Walks’ starting from Faversham Library every Wednesday together with ‘U3A walks’ plus arranging and leading walks for Faversham Footpaths Group as well. We are pleased that although Linda was unwell a year or so ago, and stood back for a time, she has been back leading walks with us again.

All walks are open to members, their friends, relatives and others who may be interested in becoming a member of the Group.

Faversham Town Council Active Travel Walks

Faversham Town Council Walks

The Town Council has organised the last of these walks which are being led by Cllr Julian Saunders for a couple of week-ends starting at Standard Quay and going around the creek finally onto the walkways in front of Faversham Reach and Waterside Close. The walks are linked to the ambitions in the current Creek Plan and the Draft Neighbourhood Plan to have a continuous creek-side path and will look at progress in opening up Creekside access and what still needs to be carried out.

Cllr Saunders did agree with the Town Clerk to postpone again these walks and to arrange some Autumn dates. You may recall these revised dates were brought about because of the General Election and recent Priory Ward By-election Campaigns.

Julian apologises this is turning into a bit of a saga and he will let us know as soon as fresh dates are scheduled. For these last two walks you will still need to sign up for the Town Council walks by visiting this page :- https://favershamtowncouncil.gov.uk/active-travel-month-june-2024/ .

FFG Organised Walk to Whitstable from Seasalter on Sunday 20th October 2024

The weather was disappointing yesterday morning, but didn’t dampen the Group’s spirits. The rain held off until we left the Seasalter Levels, and didn’t stop until we returned to the car park, and the winds were strong, especially towards the end of the walk. But it was surprising how many people were out and about braving the elements who cheerfully said hello to us.

The 714 acres of the Levels have been managed for wildlife since 2007, but a large part remained in poor condition. The RSPB, Natural England, Canterbury City Council, Environment Agency and Swale Borough Council, have worked hard to develop a nature reserve that benefits wildlife and encourages biodiversity. This is being done by installing new wetland features, including banks, sluices and pools, and by introducing grazing by cattle. When complete this will transform Seasalter into a wetland nature reserve for many rare bird species such as lapwing, redshank and curlew, plus other wildlife such as water voles and dragonflies.

We continued along the beach as far as Whitstable, where we took a path across Whitstable Golf Course which led us into Prospect Field, where we had planned to stop for a break so we could admire the sea views, but with the weather worsening, we decided to carry on.

We walked back along the beach watching the incoming tide, and although we arrived at our cars very wet, we all agreed that it had been an enjoyable morning .

The next Planned ‘regular’ FFG Sunday Walk will be on 24th November 2024 and will be from Selling to Sheldwich

Our next walk will start from the car park next to Selling Primary School at 10.00am on Sunday 24 November, and will take us through a mixture of fields, orchards, woodlands, pasture, and quiet country lanes, out of Selling to South Street, Gushmere, towards Sheldwich and back to our starting point via St Mary’s Church.

Many of the footpaths on this walk are good concrete farm tracks, but there will also be some short sections through woodlands that are steep, and a few flights of steps to negotiate. There is a good network of footpaths in the Selling area, and although one or two may seem familiar, we will also be walking along new ones, some of which have nice views across to The Blean.

Dogs on leads are always welcome on our walks, but we would ask you to be aware that we will be walking through a field of sheep towards the end of the walk.

Please allow up to three hours for the walk, which is 4.3 miles long.

Future FFG Walks

More 2024 walks will be announced when known.

The Walk between Seasalter and Whitstable on Sunday 20th October 2024

General Walking Routes in the Faversham area

A good place to start online is: www.explorekent.org/walking. Eight circular walks, showcasing the best of local Kent produce – the Faversham Food Trails – can be downloaded from www.visitfaversham.org

If you’re interested in Faversham’s fascinating history, why not join one of the Faversham Society’s Town History Walks? Details are available on www.favershamtownwalks.org.uk

The Kent Ramblers website also has lots of information about walks and guides: www.kentramblers.org.uk

If walks from and to local pubs appeals, there are some excellent guides at www.shepherdneame.co.uk/walks