Stour Valley Walk


The Stour Valley Walk is a recreational walking route that follows the River Stour, through the Low Weald and Kent Downs, from its source at Lenham to its estuary at Pegwell Bay.
The walk passes through some of Kent's finest landscapes, most important nature sites and most historic, unspoilt villages. The walk is signed with the of a heron, a bird occasionally seen in the area.
The route is of interest for its landscape and history, and for its archaeological, historical and architectural features. Part of the Pilgrims' Way followed the river valley from Wye to Canterbury after the North Downs.
The walk passes through a varied landscape of downland, woodland, orchards, hop gardens and farmland; lakes, dykes and marshland; unspoilt villages and hamlets, and historic towns.
It is possible to reach the walk from Maidstone via the 12 kilometre long Len Valley Walk.

The route

Lenham to Little chart

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Little Chart to Ashford

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Ashford to Wye

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Wye to Chilham

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Chilham to Canterbury

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Canterbury to Upstreet

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Upstreet to Sandwich

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At Upstreet the path joins the Saxon Shore Way heading towards Sandwich.

Sandwich to Pegwell Bay

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