A circular route, set within the stunning Alkham valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At around 5 miles in length, this route will have you covering some of Kent’s most magnificent countryside, taking in the sights of quaint village houses, ancient ruins, and some pretty special views across the rolling valleys below.
Why spring?
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again! England’s ever-changing seasons never cease to surprise and delight, with a colourful calendar of seasonal flowers changing the landscape with every fresh month. Walkers embarking on today’s route during the spring months will be lucky enough to catch a carpet of cowslips dotting the Kent landscape. At this time of year you may also spy beautiful bluebells within the woodland, which bloom for just a few short weeks each year, offering a time incentive for avid amblers to head out and soak up these seasonal blooms!
Key waypoints to look out for:
• Alkham village: Today’s route starts and ends in Alkham, a pretty village lying deep in a valley between Dover and Folkestone, with a long history behind it. A whopping 1400 years ago when the Anglo Saxons settled in Kent they established several homesteads in the valley, the most important being ‘Ealh-ham’ which meant ‘a settlement beside a heathen temple’. While Alkham (as it was later known) didn’t appear in the Domesday Book, in 1093 it did appear as a subordinate church to Folkestone. Spend some time at the start or end of today’s walk wandering around this quaint village, enjoying the highlights of the old post office building, the village green, and the handsome houses dotted along the way.
• St Radigund’s Abbey: Built in 1191, St Radigund’s Abbey was originally occupied by monks from France. Its wealth and reputation increased in the early years, with Edward I receiving the great seal here in 1302. Over time the buildings here fell into disrepair, with the monastery being fully dissolved in 1538. Some of the buildings remain here today, with the structure of the gatehouse (along with a number of further ruins at this site) providing an incredible sight for walkers. Today’s route leads ramblers to a concrete road, in front of St Radigund’s Abbey’s ruins. We highly recommend snapping a few photos of this historic waypoint while here!
• St Anthony’s Church, Alkham: The structure of St Anthony’s church, positioned in the centre of Alkham village (just behind the Marquis of Granby), is the oldest building in the village. It occupies the site of an earlier structure and was put up in the first part of the thirteenth century, but greatly enlarged not long afterwards. The outside of the church is built from flint and ragstone, with the inside housing a coffin lid bearing one of the oldest inscriptions in Kent. This coffin lid originally came from the coffin of Herbert de Averenches, a monk at St Radigund’s.
• Views across the Alkham valley: Wide open landscape and spectacular views across the Alkham valley are a strong feature of today’s countryside circuit. Considered to be an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Alkham valley is an area of countryside that has been designated for conservation due to its significant landscape value. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across England enjoy higher levels of protection from development, meaning that this month’s walk provides plenty of opportunities to pause and admire the uninterrupted picture of Kent’s rolling countryside that surrounds you!
Make a day of it:
If the impressive history at St Radigund’s Abbey has left you longing to uncover more of Kent’s fascinating past, there’s really nowhere better to make a day of it, than at nearby Dover Castle. Located a short 15 minute drive away from Alkham – atop the iconic White Cliffs of Dover – this impressive medieval castle has long been described as the ‘Key to England’ due to its defence significance throughout history. With recreated rooms in the Great Tower, an impressive exhibition within its Secret Wartime Tunnels, and some of the best views across The Channel, settle in for a fascinating day along Kent’s coastline.
english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/
Perfectly-placed pub:
Shake off the mud from your boots and step over the threshold of The Marquis of Granby, which could not be better located to end today’s route; right in the heart of Alkham village! This awarding-winning pub offers a true countryside retreat. Serving the freshest, locally sourced produce from a team of talented and ambitious staff, the Marquis of Granby provides weary walkers an array of fantastic gastro food with a twist! Settle in beside one of the pub’s cosy fireplaces and reward yourself a glass of something local while taking in this local’s luxurious interiors.
marquisofgranby.co.uk/
Steps, stats & stiles:
At approximately 5 miles (8km) in length, today’s circular route is considered to be quite strenuous, with a number of steep climbs throughout. This circuit covers a number of terrains, including tarmac, grass, and woodland, and includes just one stile. Waterproof shoes are strongly recommended if approaching this walk on a wet day, as some of the landscape can become muddy and slippery during wet weather conditions.
Parking:
Free parking is available for today’s route, in a small carpark positioned opposite Alkham Village Hall (located in Hogbrook Hill Lane). This carpark contains a large information board, which details the fascinating history of Alkham village, along with illustrations of how the village may have looked in the past, and a map noting the areas key waypoints.
Route followed:
For this month’s walk we followed walk number 5 - Alkham - from the walking guide book ‘Kent year round walks’. This guide book provides a full step-by-step guide to complete this walking route, along with a clear map to assist you with your navigation.
