Aylesford to Hollingbourne Walk
Join a series of five one-day guided walks which link together to form a pilgrimage from Aylesford to Dover, part of the Kent Pilgrims' Festival.
- 21 Sep 2022
- 9am - 5:30pm
- £22.15
- Aylesford
21st September 2022
A 13-mile (20.5km) walk from Aylesford to Hollingbourne
As part of the Kent Pilgrims’ Festival there is a series of five one-day guided walks which link together to form a pilgrimage from Aylesford to Dover. They are suitable for people of any faith, or none. Participants can book onto as many or few as they choose.
This is the first walk, starting from Aylesford, site of a Carmelite priory since 1242, and follows the North Downs Way past Kits Coty, a megalithic structure thought to be the entrance to a long barrow. Continuing on past Detling, and the remains of Thurnham Castle, we descend to Hollingbourne.
This walk covers a challenging distance, and includes several steep sections as we go up and down the chalk escarpment of the North Downs several times. It is therefore suitable for able-bodied walkers with some experience.
Distance 13 miles, 20.5km
This walk links to the Hollingbourne to Wye walk the following day.
What To Bring
Hiking boots, packed lunch, snacks and water. Come prepared for whatever the forecast suggests, but remember this is England and conditions can be variable. If it has rained lately it may be slippery underfoot. The paths on the top of the downs are often on clay soil so we may alter the route if necessary and take the lower route.
Where to Meet
We meet at 09:00 outside Aylesford Railway Station on the main road. (What three words: ///ending.momentous.longingly) What used to be the ticket hall is now Melad Tandoori so we can meet there. There is a shelter on the nearby platform if it is raining. We will finish at Hollingbourne rail station, aiming for between 17:30 and 18:00. Trains back to Aylesford involve a change in Maidstone with a short walk from Maidstone East to the Maidstone Barracks.
Walk leaders: Mike Evans and Matthew King
