Walking holidays in Kent, Walking Weekend Breaks in Kent, Walking Breaks in Kent

Tuesday 6 - Thursday 8 July 2010

Friday 9 - Sunday 11 July 2010

(2 nights: easy ‘B’ grade; 4-9 miles daily)

A wonderful escape combining unspoilt rolling

green hills, ancient villages and breathtaking coastal

landscapes with considerable historical and literary interest.

Flexible routes

White Cliffs Hotel

Itinerary

Friday

A welcome meeting followed by dinner in the hotel’s acclaimed and award-winning Bay Restaurant.

Saturday

The Vale of Elham awaits us, one of the loveliest of vales, set in the unspoilt East Kent hills, an area of outstanding beauty with sweeping downland slopes and extensive views. Here we have centred our two loop walks around the delightful downland village of Elham itself, lined with wonderful old timber-framed buildings; this enables us to lunch at a remarkable 15th C Inn, once the HQ of the Duke of Wellington and a refuge for King Charles II. Our first 4-mile loop takes us to the east of the village through a landscape that is shallow, green and gentle, the Nailbourne stream intermittently flowing through it. Then, after an excellent lunch we explore the western side of the valley with its coombes, ancient hamlets and farmsteads and little valleys moulded from the downs themselves. (easy B grade: 4-8 miles)

Sunday

The White Cliffs of Dover, gateway to England, an iconic image maybe, but did you know that this heritage coastline has some of the best coastal cliff walking imaginable. In July we’ll see clouds of butterflies dancing over a multi-coloured carpet of flowers while skylarks sing overhead and Exmoor ponies graze freely. We’ll see the distant port of Dover and a seascape dotted with ferries, cargo ships, fishing boats, pleasure craft and, on the horizon, we even see France, only 21 miles away! We visit the lighthouse for more spectacular views, perhaps stop at the Bluebird Cafe for refreshment. And there’s more to come: the beautiful Pines Garden complete with lakes and waterfalls, a fascinating little museum and poignant Dover Patrol Memorial. An ancient church, the homes of Noel Coward and Ian Fleming: all packed into this one wonderful day out. Today’s walks are also arranged as two loops, both starting from St Margaret’s, providing an option if required to participate in just one loop. (easy B grade: 4-9 miles)

Travel Information
By rail: From London Victoria to Dover Priory, one train an hour (journey time 1 hour, 34 minutes) or two trains an hour from London Charing Cross to Dover Priory (journey time 1 hour 50 minutes) with onward travel by taxi (4 miles). By road: total mileage from central London: 76 miles (1.45 hours). Ample car parking at the hotel. We can arrange car-sharing or taxi-sharing if required.

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The White Cliffs Hotel, St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe

The White Cliffs Hotel, originally an historic Kentish weather-boarded inn, nestles in the heart of St Margaret’s village, a short distance from the sea and 4 miles North-East of Dover. The restaurant has been awarded an AA rosette for its cuisine and the hotel is recommended by Johansens, Best Loved and Alastair Sawday. It has a stylish contemporary relaxed feel and in July you will be able to relax in the sun in the rose-filled walled garden. You can enjoy the spa facilities at Wallett’s Court (1 mile away): indoor pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, fitness studio and pre-bookable treatment and massage therapies.

Price per person for 2 nights: £261 midweek, £282 weekend for singles (2 only), double and twin occupancy; (£10 per night supplement for single occupancy of double rooms)

Price includes:

q En-suite accommodation

q 3-course dinners

q Full English breakfasts

q Two full-day guided walks

q Mini-bus or taxis where necessary

q Two guide-hosts providing commentaries on features of

historical and general interest along the way

Price excludes:

q Pub lunches

q Optional teas

q Drinks and items of a personal nature