The London-based hiking group aimed at people in their 20s - 30s. No need to book, just turn up!
Stuart B.
A brisk and festive (it's never to early to start!) walk that starts along the river stour and then around the rolling hills and woodland to the south of the city of Canterbury, with the added bonus of taking a public footpath through Howletts Wild Animal Park where we should get a good view of the elephants if the weather is not too bad! Bring a packed lunch - the lunch stop will be at around halfway distance at the village of Bridge where there will be a pub stop for drinks only.
Some very mild undulations making up a total ascent of no more than 300 metres. The aim is to walk at a brisk pace (average of around 3.3mph if conditions are dry) so to finish in Canterbury City Centre in good time to be able to spend a couple of hours at the Christmas markets there (they close at 7pm) for those who wish to. The walk is likely to finish in the dark, so please bring a head torch if possible - though the last mile or so will be urban.
Travel: the quicker and slightly later (but a little more expensive) option is the 9:40 high speed from London St Pancras (Stratford International 9:48) arriving at Canterbury West at 10:34. Make sure to puchase a high speed ticket.
The cheaper (but longer and earlier) option is the 8:34 from London Charing Cross (Waterloo East: 8:37, London Bridge 8:43, Sevenoaks: 9:07), arriving at Canterbury West at 10:18.
Buy a return to Canterbury.
Meet just outside the main entrance of Canterbury West station, but please make sure to wait a fair distance away from the doors as it is a busy station.
Canterbury West Station
