Walks With North Downs Way Ambassadors

If you are interested in history, mythology, flora, fauna or folklore, there is an ambassador for you. Kent Downs AONB trained North downs Way ambassadors are eager to share their top tips, fascinating facts, and local knowledge.

Heart of Kent Walking Festival 

North Downs Way Ambassador: Laura Dickson

Location: Maidstone, Kent

About: Laura is the Visitor Economy & Events Manager for Visit Maidstone, and is especially interested in promoting the area for walking and cycling. As a keen walker who lives in a village within the Kent Downs AONB, it is a personal passion as well as a professional one.

Activities offered: Laura is leading walks as part of the Heart of Kent Walking Festival. Take a look at our events page to find these walks taking place between 24th March – 2nd April.

Boots on Adventures

North Downs Way Ambassador: Ian Henderson

Location: Kent & Surrey

About: Ian co-founded ‘Boots On Adventures Ltd’ over a year ago after observing a need for sustainable outdoors tourism in Kent. The company has developed organically from an already-popular local walking group formed in 2019 and its founders are keen to share their passion for the countryside and all of its inhabitants.

Activities offered: Scenic and informative walks, weekend walking breaks, foraging trips and other such outdoor experiences in and around the North Downs Way.

the Way you walk 

North Downs Way Ambassador: Michael Harden

Location: Charing to Folkestone

About: Michael is a creative writer and mental health advocate with a passion for writing and the great outdoors. Michael became a North Downs Way ambassador to combine his expertise in mental health, love of the outdoors and words to encourage and enable people to enjoy nature and the natural environment, and in the longer term to improve mental well-being.

Activities offered: Wellbeing walks.

Wild with Wheels

North Downs Way Ambassador: Gini Mitchell

Location: Folkestone and Dover

About: Gini is a Disabled Rambler and nature lover, passionate about access to the natural world and advocate for disabled and inclusive access in the Kent Countryside and coast. Gini has enjoyed spending time in the local Kent countryside including the Kent Downs AONB since early childhood, and loves studying native wildlife, identifying wild flowers and plants as well as appreciating the creatures living amongst them.

Activities offered: Gini brings a Forest School ethos to interactive walks whilst connecting therapeutically with the natural surroundings.

History Hikers

North Downs Way Ambassador: Ildi Pelikan

Location: Kent and Surrey

About: Ildi is a London Blue Badge Tourist Guide also qualified to guide in Dover Castle and Canterbury. Ildi has completed the Silver National Navigation Award, is a wilderness first aider and is a Hill and Mooreland Leader trainee.

Activities offered: Multi-lingual guided walks, history walks, wine tours, tours of Dover Castle and Canterbury.

Kent Community Rail Partnership

North Downs Way Ambassador: Gary Outram

Location: West Kent; Cuxton, Halling, Ranscombe Farm

About: Gary is a volunteer for Sustrans with great knowledge of sections of the North Downs Way trail that correspond with the Pilgrims Cycle Trail.

Activities offered: Guided linear walks between train stations.

There are so many walks and experiences to discover along the North Downs Way. Take a look below at some of the amazing outdoor activities you can explore such as walking the new North Downs Way Riders’ Route and exploring The Great ARTDOORS.