Get the new year off to a memorable start with this month’s bracing winter walk, situated at the foot of Kent’s iconic White Cliffs…
Setting the scene:
If your New Year’s Resolution for 2023 is to increase that daily step count, to spend more time outside in nature, or simply to see more of the glorious Garden of England, today’s circular route will set you up for early accomplishment! Blow away those Christmas cobwebs and head to Kent’s coastline where you’ll find the location for this month’s walk, stunning Samphire Hoe country park.
About Samphire Hoe:
Discover fascinating wildlife, rare plants, the spectacular landscape of the White Cliffs and stunning views over the English Channel. Samphire Hoe, the official nature reserve of Eurotunnel, sits between the well-known coastal towns of Folkestone and Dover, and is an incredible spot for both wildlife to thrive, and people to enjoy. Fascinatingly, this Green-Flag awarded nature reserve is actually the newest part of Kent, with the land having been reclaimed from the sea during the construction of the Channel Tunnel!
Wonderful wildlife to keep an eye out for:
Samphire Hoe is home to between 30 and 80 livestock (sheep and cows) depending on seasons and years, 220 species birds, 30 species of butterflies and 380 moths, 3 species of reptiles and other insects. How many species can you spot on your winter wander?
The route:
● Today’s route commences and concludes from the on-site carpark. From here, take the path signposted “West Shore via the Hoe”.
● You will first walk through a short ‘Picnic Area’ with lots of benches positioned to your right.
● Just ahead you will need to pass through a wooden gateway, leading into the main country park.
● Continue straight ahead, crossing a small wooden pedestrian bridge, to continue on the tarmac pathway.
● Walk straight on this pathway for the full length of the park. It will rise up gently, offering fantastic sweeping views across the coastline, and out towards Folkestone.
● As you walk, look to your right across the lush, green landscape of the country park, keeping an eye out for what livestock may be roaming beside you. Many cows and sheep call Samphire Hoe home!
● Soon the pathway will descend down, wrapping around the right hand side of a pretty stretch of water. Make sure to snap a photo at this point, as the water looks fantastic on camera, and often reveals a pretty reflection of the landscape surrounding it.
● As the path continues, you will cross a second pedestrian bridge across the water, and ascend slightly once again until you reach the end of the country park.
● Here, you may wish to step through the gateway to the shingled beach that sits nestled under the cliffs.
● To close the loop of today’s circular route, step back through the gateway and follow the shingled track on your left as it leads straight back through the country park.
● As you complete the second half of today’s route you will find yourself walking parallel to the trainline, with the imposing White Cliffs that our county is so well known for, sitting just on the other side of the train track.
● The route back towards the car park is much straighter than the first half of today’s route, but offers just as much in terms of incredible landscape to admire along the way!
● Pass through the wooden gate sitting at the end of the track to arrive beside the site’s tea kiosk and information centre, just next to the car park. This is where today’s route concludes.
Steps, stats and stiles:
At just under 1.5 miles (2.4km) in length this month’s route should take you approximately 35 minutes to complete at a steady pace. Ramblers may wish, however, to pause at one of the many benches found beside the main pathway in order to spend a few minutes taking in the marvellous views out to sea! This circuit is considered an easy access trail, with a tarmac path running through the Hoe itself. The route can be lengthened slightly by walking along the sea wall on your return. Please pay close attention to the tides, as this may not be possible on a stormy day, due to the sea wall being closed for safety.
Make a day of it:
Where better to learn all about Kent’s military past than at the remarkable Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne? Dedicated to the heroic and selfless deeds of the men who won the Battle of Britain, this truly important museum sits perched atop the iconic White Cliffs, offering incredible views across the Channel to France. Get hands-on with the museum’s multi-media Scramble Experience which gives visitors a taste of what life was like to be one of the Few in 1940. Alternatively, spend some time paying tribute to the late aircrew at the site’s thought-provoking Memorial Wall.
Refreshments:
Samphire Hoe offers a tea kiosk, located in the main car park, which is open every weekend of the year and most days from Easter to September (but can be weather dependent), from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walkers may wish to pick up a hot drink upon arrival to keep their hands warm while embarking on their walk, or perhaps reward themselves with tea or coffee upon completion!
For those looking for something a little more substantial to fill up post-walk, why not head a few miles along the coast into Dover and settle down for traditional seaside fish & chips at Wheeler’s Fish & Chips, located within the Dover Marina Hotel & Spa? This casual fish & chips restaurant by chef Marco Pierre White is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Parking:
There are plenty of car parking spaces available on-site, on a pay and display basis. Rates are approx. £1 for 2 hours parking, payable via coins or the Ringo parking app.
Route followed:
For today’s walk we followed the Samphire Hoe Country Park Circular Walk route on the AllTrails app.
