North Downs Way 11 : Chilham to Canterbury

Walk the hallowed route taken by pilgrims for centuries, from the picturesque village of Chilham to Canterbury Cathedral.

This walk begins in the picturesque medieval village square of Chilham. As you stand and prepare to start walking admire Chilham Castle, a fine example of Jacobean architecture. William Shakespeare is known to have had close connections with the Digges Family who completed Chilham Castle in 1616, the same year Shakespeare died.

The first few miles of this walk will take you through Old Wives Lees and on through surrounding orchards, woodland and farms. Once you have passed through Chartham Hatch you will enter Blean Woods and shortly arrive into No Man’s Orchard. This community orchard was the first orchard to be named a local nature reserve in 2002 and is a beautiful place to sit for a picnic lunch. Admire almost 200 trees which are mostly the Brambley apple variety.

Continue on your walk and you will shortly pass the site of Bigbury Camp which was an Iron Age Hillfort thought to be the site of an attack from Julius Caesar and his Roman army in 54BC.

Arrive into Canterbury to finish your walk through Westgate Towers and arriving at the epic Canterbury Cathedral. This is a breathtaking finale to your journey especially if you have ventured from Surrey. Add a tour around the World Heritage Site to complete the perfect day of exploring!