Colin S's Aylesford River and Downs Circular

Ca. 12 miles, including parts of the Medway Valley Walk (MVW) and North Downs Way (NDW) and passing many historical sites.  (Likely to be very muddy in places - Walking Boots + Walking Poles if available strongly recommended!).

We start by heading north, crossing the ancient bridge (with parts dating back to C14th) over the Medway and heading via Eccles and Burham Church to the Memorial to the Battle of the Medway (43AD), where we will have a short stop (for a snack).  Soon after we ascend 160m up the North Downs to join the NDW, after which we briefly split for a choice of 2 lunch stops (after ca. 6 miles) - either The Robin Hood Pub (www.robinhood-pub.co.uk) or after another ca. 0.5 miles a picnic at The Air Ambulance Memorial / Viewpoint on Blue Bell Hill. 

After lunch we gently descend along the NDW past Kit's Coty House (a megalithic 'dolmen' burial chamber) and White Horse Stone (a sarsen megalith), after which we continue along the Pilgrim's Way for a short while before descending through part of the largest vineyard in the UK and close to the remains of Boxley Abbey to rejoin the MVW opposite Allington Castle.  We then return to Aylesford via Allington Lock (limit of Tidal reach of the Medway), where there is the option to end at the Malta Inn (www.beefeater.co.uk/en-gb/locations/kent/malta-inn) about 1 mile from the finish (easy to self navigate afterwards - even after a few drinks!).