The North Downs Way

After the enjoyment of the Pennine Way I was keen to do another long distance walk but wanted to tackle something from home, in short trips or day hikes, rather than the multi-week adventure of the Pennine Way. This would be something I could do throughout the winter when my mood or the weather allowed.

There were three obvious contenders; The Greensand Way, The Pilgrims Way or The North Downs Way. Each of these I was aware of and familiar with where they pass through my local patch. Top of my initial wish list was The Pilgrims Way because of its historical interest. Pilgrims travelled from Winchester to Canterbury, from the shrine of St Swithun to the shrine of St Thomas Becket. However, it turns out that the Pilgrim's Way as a coherent footpath / walking route does not exist, as much of the old Pilgrim's route has been taken over by roads or disappeared under farmland over the centuries. The North Downs Way and St Swithuns Way is as close as you can get today in following the Pilgrims Way from Winchester to Canterbury. The Greensand Way is not a designated National Trail and the guidebook, for Kent at least, is out of print. The North Downs Way therefore seemed to have the most to offer and there is a 2016 updated guidebook.

The North  Downs Way runs for 144 miles from Farnham in Surrey to Dover on the Kent coast and via a loop through Canterbury if you wish to take it. Several sections I can do as day hikes using trains to / from the start / finish points. For other sections, the support team of Catherine and Gloria can be deployed where necessary. I already have a cunning plan for the walk into Canterbury, subject to support team approval.

So, I don't have an end to end, fixed date, day by day, plan. I have more of a broad plan of which sections I will do by train and which I will require the support team for. I intend to do the walk in 11 sections, in guide book order, starting at Farnham, via Canterbury, ending in Dover.

It would be good to complete the walk over this coming winter; lets say by the end of March 2017.

I will keep you posted.