Rochester, Downs, Wouldham Common, Burham Marshes and River Medway
Walks in South East England
The walk over the downs provides a wonderful contrast of chalk pebble fields and calm woodlands. After dropping into Burham there is some interesting exploring to be done, but be warned that the riverbank becomes very tiring to walk as the ground has a bouncy and sponge-like character which is able to sap energy out of you. Still, this is a very pretty area and provides a lovely day's hiking around one of the twee-er parts of the Medway. (For a shorter variation consider walking to the Robin Hood Inn and heading back through Monk Wood).
Story by Steven Spall
Statistics and Files
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000):
163 Gravesend, Rochester and Hoo Peninsula
The Walk
From central Rochester we headed down to the river beside the Rochester Pier and along the Esplanade. The 0.03 km (0.0186 mile) pier — or if counting the pontoon, 0.21 km (0.13 mile) pier — is certainly a short pier, but makes up for this with some lovely views of the river and castle. Although long gone, this route leads past the old Shorts flying boat works and the remains of the slipway are still present and can be seen not long before Baty's Marsh.
Staying close to the river we headed in front of the marina but behind the local houses, emerging at the impressive Medway Bridges. From here an unmarked trail leads up the side of the bank to Borstal, or alternatively the river can be followed along to Wouldham if doing the walk in reverse. Staying between the road and rail bridges a small road leads to a walking route crossing HS1 after Nashenden Farm and taking you onto the very scenic route over the downs.
Following the route the agricultural landscape becomes a tree-lined wood which after the Robin Hood Inn slowly becomes a road. If followed the trail will lead onto a car park with a pleasant view out to Aylesford. Heading down the woods there are a choice of trails that lead to Burham where after passing the school a small walking path leads to a woodland next to a reservoir. Continuing on this trail past the water works it should now be possible to walk along the edge of the river where some interesting industrial archaeology can be seen on the Wouldham Marshes. At Wouldham the river can be rejoined or alternatively, a path up the hill leads back to Nashenden Down.
Pictures courtesy of Kate Cash.