North Downs Way – Cuxton to Detling

The Seventh leg of our journey commences in the small village of Cuxton just outside Rochester. Starting from the station, we will rejoin the North Downs Way where we left it in section 6 and walk over the Rochester foot bridge. From there we will before the gradual climb onto the ridge. The route will take us past Bluebell hill with some Neolithic monuments such as Kits Coty, Little Kits Coty and The White Horse Stone. We will also pass a sculpture of a pilgrim making his way to Canterbury (or possibly Rome). This route provides great views across the North downs and Medway valley. We will leave the North Downs Way at Detling.

Those wishing to catch a train back to Cuxton will be led a further 3KM to Bearsead where you can take your return journey by train. As you book onto this walk you will be giving the option to join our WhatsApp lift share group to allow us to lift share between stops.

As this part of the journey is only a single day, we will not be suggesting accommodation for this section. Please let us know if you are running late or not attending otherwise the walk will leave on time. We will be stopping for a bring your own picnic lunch at around mid-day.

Meeting time – 8:15am ready for a 08:30am prompt start (times might slightly change to accommodate train arrivals on the day)

Meeting location – Cuxton train station (ME2 1LF)

Finishing location – Bearsted train station (ME14 4PH) Cuxton is free on street parking (at time of writing), while Beastead is paid through APOCA (parking charges are not included)

Walk type – Linear.

Terrain – One steep incline along an undulating path.

Distance – Cuxton station to Detling village = 11.9 miles / 19.15 km approx. or (15miles / 24km Cuxton station to Bearsted station)

Walking time – 8 hours walking (with a bring-your -own lunch stop)

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We will be stopping for a bring your own picnic lunch at around mid-day. Dogs are welcome if they are friendly and will go on a lead when required such as entering fields of livestock.

If we can ask everyone to bring with them:

A – Suitable footwear (strong shoes or boots preferably walking boots no Flip-flops)

B- A waterproof coat (and waterproof trousers?) in case of rain

C – Drinking water and a packed lunch

D – Personal medication (please make the group leader aware in confidence of any medical condition you have that may affect you in the walk no matter how small)

E- Suitable walking clothing There might only be ‘natural’ toilets along the way (a bush).