Welcome to Capital Walkers, the friendly London Ramblers group for people aged 40+. We walk every weekend and usually at least once during the week.
Angela K.
This walk offers something for everyone, from the expanse of shingle at Dungeness to beaches, a canal, a castle, views to France if the weather is clear and so much more.
Dungeness is the largest expanse of shingle on the planet and is home to over 600 species of plants, making it a fascinating starting point. Due to its proximity to France, Dungeness was a popular landing for smugglers, with 12,000 gallons of brandy arriving within a week in 1813. The Pilot Inn which was originally built from the wreck of a Spanish Ship, The Alfresia in 1633 is our starting point. Keep an eye open for Hagstones. These stones with a central hole are the source of many legends and theories of their healing powers.
Our walk begins at 10.45 am from the Pilot Inn, Lydd-on-Sea near Dungeness and we follow the King Charles III England Coastal Path to Folkstone Harbour. There are several exit points for those who wish to shorten the walk with regular buses to Folkstone and a train to Hythe.
With extensive views across the Strait of Dover we walk parallel to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, passing through Romney Sands, Littlestone-on-Sea and St Mary’s Bay. Further inland lies Romney Marsh, home to the Romney Sheep breed which are still found commonly in New Zealand having been exported with early settlers to this new land. Passing Martello Towers at Dymchurch we turn inland to avoid the Hythe Ranges, detouring along the Royal Military Canal for a time before returning to the coastline. From here our destination beckons, and we shall soon see Folkstone Harbour Pier and the infamous Folkestone Lighthouse Champagne Bar which may entice some of us.
This is a moderate walk despite the length as it is almost entirely flat. As such I anticipate a speed of at least 2.5 miles an hour, however this will be adapted according to the group. The finish time is an estimate and will be affected by the size and speed of the group, the number of breaks taken and the weather conditions on the day. We will be taking several breaks throughout the day including a lunch stop of 30 minutes. There are cafes available along the way to buy drinks, toilet facilities are available, and there most certainly will be a restorative option at the end of the walk for those who require fortifications before the evening’s merriment.
There are numerous options for early exits from this walk at regular intervals. See travel details for options.
Please bring a picnic lunch. We shall be taking a short (30 minute) lunch break along with several other shorter stops as required by the group. There are numerous coffee/icecream/snack options on our journey.
There are public toilets available at regular intervals along the waterfront.
No booking is required.
Dogs are welcome with considerate owners who respect other walkers, cyclists and the regulations for dogs to be on leads along stretches of our walk imposed by local authorities. There are opportunities for off lead time at regular intervals. During the walk recce several dog water stations were discovered, however these are not guaranteed and dogs are recommended to bring water and snacks.
Travel details:
For those joining us from London take the 08.07 highspeed train from St Pancras London to Folkestone Central arriving at 09.01 or the 07.04 from Charing Cross to Folkestone Central arriving at 08.43am. There is a cafe at Folkestone Station as well as toilets on Platform 1.
Take the 103 bus from Folkestone Central Railway Station, Stop B at 09.35, arriving at the Pilot, Lydd-on-Sea at 10.39.
If you wish to explore Dungeness before the walk, there is a bus at 08.35, arriving at 09.39, which would give you extra time to discover the delights on offer from the desolate beauty of the landscape to birdlife, lighthouse and even a power station. Please be aware that this walk begins at 10.45 am promptly from The Pilot Inn if you take this option.
Return trains are at 00.58 past the hour for the highspeed option to St Pancras and 00.38 to Charing Cross for the regular service.
Exit Points:
There are numerous options for early exits from this walk at regular intervals. It is the responsibility of walkers to organise their own transport if they opt for an early exit. The walk leader is not a tour guide and the options mentioned below are a guide based on the information available at the time of the walk recce and listing.
Possible exit points include St Mary’s Bay (hourly buses to Folkstone at 00.45 past the hour); Hythe (00.09 past the hour), and Battery Point (00.48 past the hour).
The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway is the smallest passenger railway in the world. For those who would like to enjoy a train trip, details including timetables from Dungeness to Hythe are available on the website. https://www.rhdr.org.uk/ This is a dog friendly train.
There is a Fish and Chip Supper Service running on Saturday 7 June. Further details and bookings are available on the RHDR website.
Please note that if you are interested in taking the train it is your responsibility to organise and book this yourself. The walk does not necessarily lineup with the train timetable and adjustments will not be made to do so due to the length of the walk.
Outside The Pilot Hotel, Lydd-on-Sea, Kent, England.
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