Perched right on Kent’s shoreline, it’s probably Walmer’s famous castle and picturesque coast that attracts visitors to the area the most. But, step away from the water’s edge and you’ll soon discover that this charming town has some breathtaking countryside for walkers to explore, too. Starting and ending right outside Walmer’s train station, this 5km out-and-back trail boasts the ideal halfway point for summer strollers to cool down and refuel. Did somebody say ‘perfectly-placed ice cream parlour!?’
The route:
1. This out-and-back trail commences and concludes at Walmer Train Station, making it the ideal route for walkers to access via rail this summer. Starting from the station, turn right out the main entrance and walk along Station Drive, until you join the main road (Station Road).
2. Turn left onto Station Road and walk just over 100 metres, until you see the sign for Millers Road on the opposite side of the road (leading into a new area of housing).
3. Cross Station Road (taking plenty of care, as this route can be busy with traffic) and enter Millers Road. At the first fork in the road, follow the course that leads around to the right, into Mongeham Way.
4. Keep to the pedestrian path on the right that leads through the houses, pass two short rows of terraced homes, and follow the pathway as it leads behind the next row of homes.
5. Soon you will see a track appear up ahead, leading into a field.
6. Walk straight through the middle of this first field, keeping to the well marked pedestrian footpath in the grass. You’ll see a big tree at the end of the field, which you should aim for.
7. At the far end, you will have emerged next to a pedestrian crossing across the train track with a green/right light signalling when it is safe for you to cross.
8. On the other side of the train track you’ll see a sign for Coldblow Farm straight ahead, or a gap in the trees to your left, leading through to a large expanse of open meadow.
9. Here, take the route leading out to your left, and again follow the clearly marked pathway through the grass for approximately 150 metres.
10. Here, the pathway splits out into two directions. Follow the path that curves around to the right-hand side. There will be a few trees, and a hedgerow sitting to your left at first, before these give way to a vast expanse of open meadow.
11. Walk straight ahead, keeping to a marked pathway cutting straight through the middle of this beautiful expanse of landscape.
12. The pathway will lead you very gently uphill, and you will come to a point where, once again, the pathway splits out (either to your right, or straight ahead).
13. Once more, continue straight ahead as the pathway now leads very gently back downhill in front of you.
14. A hedgerow on your right will lead you around a very gentle corner and you will soon see a wooden fence to your right with a camping site on the other side of it. This is Solley’s Farm.
15. Continue straight on the path that you’re already walking, which cuts straight through the middle of this final stretch of meadow. You will see a house sitting up ahead (to your right). Upon reaching the end of this field there will be a wooden kissing gate sitting almost directly in front of you.
16. Rather than heading through the kissing gate, here you should turn right to follow the edge of the meadow boundary for a few metres until you find yourself beside an assortment of farmyard buildings.
17. You have now reached Solley’s Farm, the halfway point for today's walk, and a perfect place to stop for a well deserved drink… along with an ice cold ice cream from Solley’s on-site Ice Cream Parlour. The ideal summer refuel!
18. To find the Ice Cream Parlour at Solley’s Farm, simply continue ahead, and turn left to walk around the farmyard buildings. The Parlour sits just around the other side of these buildings on your left, and ice creams can be enjoyed either inside the Parlour itself, or on one of the wooden picnic tables dotted around the farm.
19. Once you have satisfied your sweet tooth and are ready to set off once again, you simply need to make your way back to the pathway that you arrived from and retrace your steps back exactly.
20. You should reach your original destination of Walmer Station, where this route concludes, in approximately 30 minutes when walking at a steady pace.
Steps, stats & stiles: At 2.5km each way (5km total), this peaceful summer stroll through the open countryside surrounding Walmer should take you approximately 30 minutes to complete each way, and just over an hour in total, without accounting for a halfway stop.
The course encompasses a range of terrains, including both grass and tarmac. Waterproof shoes are recommended if approaching this walk on a wet day, as some of the landscape can become muddy and slippery during wet weather conditions. This route contains no steps or stiles, but does involve some narrow pathways through grass, which would be difficult to complete with a pushchair.
Refreshments:
I scream, you scream, we all scream for… ice cream! Yes, what spot could we possibly recommend refuelling at while completing this month’s route than Solley’s Ice Cream Parlour? With over 20 mouth watering, homemade flavours to choose from, pick your favourites to enjoy hand scooped in a cone, or grab a tub or two to take on the journey home. For those who just can’t choose, Solley’s famous Super Bowl includes 12 scoops of ice cream (yes, 12!) and is perfect for sharing. Breakfast, light lunches and snacks are also available, all made fresh on site, along with hot and cold drinks. The Ice Cream Parlour and farm is open daily 10am – 4pm, between April and August. Seating is available both indoors and outdoors, or feel free to bring your own picnic rug, and spend some time enjoying the sunshine at Solley’s with a delicious cone in hand. Bliss!
Make a day of it:
Covering 383 acres in total, there’s much more than just delicious ice cream flavours to be explored at Solley’s Farm this summer. If visiting on a dry day, tractor rides run each weekend - ideal for giving any young walking companions a rest before your return ramble!
Alternatively, think you’ve got more than a 5km saunter through the fields in you? Open in line with the Ice Cream Parlour opening times and dates, Solley’s marked farm trail takes visitors on a walking journey around the farm for a chance to learn more about how this arable farm works through the seasons, and the abundance of wildlife nearby. Starting from the Ice Cream Parlour, go past the pond and head out across the fields. Solley’s sign boards give more information on what is around at each point, both near and far.
solleys.co.uk
