Heart of Kent Walking Festival
The Heart of Kent Walking Festival is running its first full weekend of walks from 30th September to 2nd October 2022. The incredible natural beauty of the varied landscapes of Kent can be enjoyed on a number of walks.
- 30 Sep 2022
| Date | Walk Name | Distance | Time | Led by | Cost |
| 30 Sep | North Downs Way – Charing to Hollingbourne | 10miles/16km | 10.00 -16.00 | Thesese Hammond (Kent Community Rail Partnership) | free |
| 30 Sep | The Medway, Friars and Neolithic Burial Sites History Hike | 10miles/16km | 09.40 – 17.30 | Ildi Pelikan (History Hikers) | £15pp |
| 30 Sep | Maidstone Centre & Vinters Valley | 4 miles/ 6km | 10.00 – 12.00 | Andrea Griffiths (Medway Valley Countryside Partnership) | £5.98pp |
| 1 Oct | A Way with Words | 4 mile8kms / 6km | 10.15 – 14.15 | Michael Harden (North Downs Way Ambassador) | free |
| 1 Oct | Pilgrimage Walk from Aylesford to Thurnham | 9 miles/ 14.5km | 9.00 – 17.00 | Andrew Kelly (Augustine Camino) | Adults £16.76
U18 £5.98 |
| 1 Oct | Historic Maidstone | 2.5miles/ 4km | 09.30 – 11.45 | Ildi Pelikan (History Hikers) | £10pp |
| 2 Oct | Camellia Orchards | 18 miles / 29km | 9.00 – 16.30 | Peter Jul (Long Distance Walkers Association) | free |
| 2 Oct | Medieval Otham | 5 miles/ 8km | 13.30 – 17.00 | Ildi Pelikan (History Hikers) | £10pp |
The North Downs Area
The North Downs and the North Downs National Trail which runs along it are just to the north of Maidstone and provide fantastic views over an ancient landscape of woods and farms to the south. To the north there are orchards and in places you can see the Thames Estuary.
Waterside Walking
Uniquely Maidstone is also able to offer peaceful waterside walking along the River Medway. One of Charles Dicken’s favourite walks was through the valley from Rochester to Maidstone, passing Dingly Dell on the way. The River Valley is full of wildlife and is crossed by a number of Medieval Bridges which enhance both the access and the landscape.
Lesser Known Landscapes
A much less known area is the Greensand Ridge which runs through the heart of Kent offering great views and points of history along the way.
Walking through History
Maidstone which is placed in the heart of Kent was a major crossing point for the River Medway and has been a trading point since Medieval times. It was also a stop on the Pilgrimage route from London to Canterbury. Given this long history our town walks are also very interesting to take part in.
Some other real bonuses for the Heart of Kent Walking Festival. First is that it is also in the Garden of England, so a great opportunity to try some fantastic local produce, travelling very few miles. Secondly the diversity of the landscape allows those less mobile to enjoy a walking festival as well.