The ‘Garden of England’ is a walker’s paradise and this route lets adventurers explore three historic castles in one day
Despite the chilly weather and bare trees, there’s still plenty of beauty to be found in the great outdoors this winter. Kent residents are particularly fortunate, with a wealth of stunning walking routes at their disposal.
As we approach the festive season, filled with indulgent treats and hearty meals, it’s worth planning some physical activity to counterbalance the holiday feasting. Kent is renowned for its picturesque coastline, and one particular walking route allows you to take in three of its most famous landmarks in quick succession.
The trail spans 10 miles – or 16 kilometres – and follows the south-eastern corner of the coast, passing over the iconic White Cliffs of Dover and showcasing not one, but three different castles. The walk from Dover to Deal may be challenging, but the rewards are certainly worth the effort.
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Expect breathtaking sea views, walks across unique chalkland, and fantastic photo opportunities of some of Kent’s most well-known landmarks. Taking approximately three to four hours to complete, this route is perfect for those who are comfortable with longer walks.
This journey can easily fill most of your day, allowing time to explore each castle and perhaps enjoy a picnic along the way – weather permitting – reports Kent Live. Once you reach the end, there’s a regular 20-minute train service between the two towns to save you the walk back.
Begin at the White Cliffs Visitor Centre near Dover Port and head north-east along the coastal path, leaving Dover Castle in your wake. Exit the castle via the north-west exit and follow Castle Road, turning right at the sign for the Bleriot Memorial.
Continue through the woodland before veering left to reach the memorial where you’ll find a granite outline of an aircraft in the grass. This marks the landing spot of Louis Bleriot who made the first flight across the English Channel in 1909.
Follow the path back to the main road, continue along Castle Hill Road and then cross the bridge over the A2. From here, you can glimpse the church of St Mary in Castro within Dover Castle’s grounds.
Continue down the road and enter the White Cliffs of Dover car park to follow the marked England Coast Path. Along this route, you’ll pass the South Foreland Lighthouse and have views across the English Channel.
On a clear day, you might even see France.
From the lighthouse, follow the path next to the landmark heading inland before taking two right turns to join the marked Saxon Shore Path. Continue downhill to St Margaret’s Bay, a hidden gem of a beach that remains stunning throughout the year.
In the quaint village of St Margaret’s at Cliffe, you’ll find the former holiday home of James Bond author Ian Fleming – a charming white building with green shutters. As you pass The Pines Garden Tea Room on your left, continue up Bay Hill through the heart of the village.
Upon reaching a sharp left-hand bend in the road, switch to the footpath through the bushes. This will lead you to a viewpoint overlooking the bay and a kissing gate at the hilltop.
Next, you’ll encounter the towering Dover Patrol Memorial, a Grade-II listed obelisk designed by Sir Aston Webb to commemorate the Dover Patrol of 1914 to 1919 and the lives lost in World War II.
Located roughly halfway along the route, this is a perfect spot for a break and some refreshments. Once rested, continue past the monument through an open-sided gate, returning onto the coastal path.
Proceed past the golf course and beyond the clubhouse to reach Kingsdown seafront, where you can see Deal Pier. Follow the seafront, passing the Zetland Arms until you arrive at Walmer Castle.
Dating back to the reign of Henry VIII, this imposing castle boasts over eight acres of award-winning gardens for you to explore.
Various sections of the castle are open to the public on certain days, and Walmer Castle is hosting a variety of festive events and activities this holiday season. Full details can be found here.
This year, new areas of the castle were opened to the public for the first time, including the private rooms of the Lord Warden and where the Queen Mother stayed during her visits.
The next part of the walk is a simple stroll along the seafront path and through the town of Walmer to reach Deal. The trail ends at the impressive Deal Castle, with its intriguing historic grounds and tunnels well worth a visit if you’re still up for a bit more walking.
Deal train station is less than a 10-minute walk from the castle, providing easy access back to Dover.
Alternatively, the regular 81 Stagecoach bus service operates between the two towns and takes about half an hour to travel from one to the other.
