Charles Dickens and Higham walk
Walk
summary:
6.6 miles (10.6km). Approx. Allow 3.5 hours.
Maps and guides:
Route:
About the walk:
Charles John Huffam Dickens was born
in Portsmouth on the 7th of
February 1812 to John and Elizabeth
Dickens, the 2nd of 8 children. John was a pay clerk in the Royal
Navy and the family moved with his job, coming to Chatham when
Charles was 5 years old.
Dickens was so inspired by what he
found in Kent that he returned here for the last years of his life.
Many people and places in his novels have Kentish roots. The
marshland around this area lent itself to the vivid opening of
Great Expectations.
Dickens was a dedicated walker. 12
miles was an average daily walk. He would walk in all weathers,
turning ideas over in his mind. This walk covers 6.6 miles and
includes places & landmarks that Dickens would have known
well.
Useful information:
Weather near start point
This Weather Widget is provided by the Met Office
How to get there
Postcode starting
point: ME3 7JQ
By car: Leave the M2 at
Junction 1 north along the A289. Take the first exit on to the A226
to Higham. Follow signs into Higham and to the Train Station
Parking: There is limited parking at Higham
station and some on road parking around the village.
Train: Nearest station: Higham
National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950.
Bus: 136 (Medway Towns – Higham - Gravesend)
Traveline: 0871 200 22 33.
Terrain: A mixture of cross field and
road, some long but gentle slopes.
Start/end point:Higham Train
Station
For more literary walks why not try Jane Austen or Christopher Marlowe.
If you need to report a problem on this route
please call 0845 345 0210 or use the online
reporting tool. You can then choose to receive regular updates
about the progress of your report.