Night walk: Whitstable to Margate

This is a collaboration between Capital Walkers and Met Walkers.

Experience the adventure of a coastal walk by the light of a full moon (if it's a clear night!) on this 17 mile walk along the Saxon Shoreline. The walk is reasonably flat with one sharp climb to walk along a wooded clifftop path - before a more gentle descent back to sea level. 

We'll begin to gather on Whitstable beach in front of The Sea Farmer's Dive Taproom (Sea Wall, Whitstable CT5 1BT - near Zizzi) from 7.45pm to watch the sunset at 9.15pm. Should you wish you can get fish and chips to eat on the beach from Ossies Fish Bar (11 High Street) - they are very good, I had them ahead of the night walk last year! Or there are lots of other eateries in Whistable should you wish to get food ahead of the walk.

Please arrive no later than 9.15pm - we will begin walking at 9.45pm. 

We will then follow the coastal path along the Saxon Shore Way - walking in an easterly direction we'll walk into the rising sun, with sunrise at 5.06am. 

After five miles we'll stop briefly at Amy Johnson's statue in Herne Bay (there are also 24 hour loos in Herne Bay). "Lunch" will be at Reculver Towers (nine miles into the walk) - there may be loos open at Reculver but please don't rely on this. From Reculver we'll walk the last eight miles to Margate, stopping for approximately half an hour to watch the sun come up.

Also, I'm going to be quite tight about people not going ahead of me until we get to Reculver - prior to Reculver there are a few twists and turns where it's easy to lose the path and could be dangerous as a result. We will therefore walk as a team at the pace of the slowest walker. After Reculver faster walkers can go ahead should you wish - however after leading this walk last year, it's really nice to all be together to see the sun come up.

I'm trying to book a table for breakfast at 7am at The Brewers Fayre next to Margate Station. I'll keep trying but if you're planning to come on the walk please message me on the below number to let me know if you're interested in breakfast - the cost, including coffee, is £10.99 per person.

You will need warm clothing (including a hat and gloves) and a head torch - a hand held torch is also recommended. Please also bring a waterproof, a picnic and a flask with a hot drink.  Energy snacks are also recommended.

Given this is a night walk and there are no drop out points please do make sure you're comfortable with walking 17 miles. 

And yes, I probably will start singing "It's a marvellous night for a moondance" at some point :-) 

Travel

Outbound Journey: You can take a train from either Victoria or London St Pancras International

Return Journey: 

We should get to Margate by 6.30am-ish. The first train from Margate to London St Pancras International is at 6.46am - the first direct train is at 7.49am. NOTE: there are no trains running from Margate to Victoria on 21st July - however direct trains are running on both the high speed line and from Victoria on 20th July.

Please make sure when purchasing your tickets that you have the right ticket for the train you wish to catch back.

Meeting point / time

9.15pm at Sea Wall, Whitstable CT5 1BT.

We'll begin to gather on Whitstable beach in front of The Sea Farmer's Dive Taproom (Sea Wall, Whitstable CT5 1BT - near Zizzi) If you are at Zizzi turn left along the sea wall and the Sea Farmers Dive is the land side of the Sea Wall about 30 seconds from Zizzi.