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.
Simon S.
Join us for the first stage of the Wealdway, from Gravesend to Borough Green, embarking on a journey which eventually goes all the way to Eastbourne on the South Coast! The walk will be brisk (2.5-3 miles/hour) and mostly gently undulating, with two sections of quite steep downhill (so you may want to bring poles if you use them).
After a rather uninspiring start making our way out of Gravesend, today's section follows the Wealdway through downland fields and vineyards passing the villages of Sole Street, Luddesdown and Great Buckland, heading up through woodland and down over an escarpment to cross the M20 near Addington and head down through the picturesque village of Platt to reach the station at Borough Green and Wrotham.
We will stop for lunch near Sole Street at about 12:30 - please bring a packed lunch.
Alternatively for those that wish to stay on for a drink, we will stop off at the Robin Hood pub close to Borough Green & Wrotham station.
Exit points: Train back from Sole Street after 4 miles
Travel:
Take the 09:40 train from London Blackfriars, calling at London Bridge at 09:46, arriving Gravesend at 10:46. We will assemble at the station entrance on Rathmore Road (exit via platform 0).
Return trains from Borough Green and Wrotham depart at xx48 and head to London Victoria - I think we should make the 16:48 if we achieve a good pace and the 17:48 comfortably. There are cafes and a pub in Borough Green close to the station so we can keep warm if we need to wait!
I have looked at various ticketing options, and I think you are best to buy two singles - the start and end stations are on different lines and I think trying to buy a return to (say) Rochester will risk that you end up with a ticket not valid for the train you end up travelling on.
Freedom pass and 60+ Oyster card holders, buy a single from end zone 6 to Gravesend and back from Borough Green & Wrotham to end zone 6.
No booking required.
The finishing time is an estimate only and will be dependent on a number of factors, such as, weather, the speed at which the group walks and the number of breaks taken.
Gravesend Railway Station Meet by the station exit on Rathmore Road (exit via platform 0)
Borough Green & Wrotham Railway Station
