Riverside walks in Kent

What is it about water? Super tranquil, it can wash away the stress. As you relax, discover a canal that doesn’t go anywhere or enjoy a pint and the views.

Appledore 5 miles (8km) and West Hythe to Hythe 1.9 and 4 miles (3 and 6.4 km)

These walks both take you beside the Royal Canal, built as a front-line defence against the French in Napoleonic times. It helps drain farmland, and provides a perfect place to watch wildlife. Nearby attractions include the lonely churches of Romney Marsh, their communities long-since departed, Rye, and Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.

Horton Kirby walk

The route takes you along a picturesque stretch of the River Darent.  Don’t miss the Mill House, across the road from the Lion Hotel in Horton Kirby, a white weather boarded former watermill. Captain Bligh who was in command of The HMS Bounty when the notorious mutiny occurred in 1789 once lived here.

Yalding to Nettlestead walk 6 miles (9.5km)

Cross the longest medieval bridge in Kent, the scene of a battle between the Roundheads and Cavaliers in 1643. On this route you pass Nettlestead Place, and its 10-acre garden, which opens to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme on special days in the summer.If you have time after your walk, visit the potter at Teapot Island in Yalding.

West Farleigh river walk

This walk starts by the river, then heads up a fairly steep hill to give excellent views of the Medway Valley. It can easily be linked to the Teston walk to create a longer route.

Look out for Kettle Bridge - otherwise known as Barming Bridge. There has been a crossing at St Helens Lane since before the Roman times. There was a ford here which the Romans put down cobbles on. It is said if you dive down to the bottom of the river you can still see the cobbles.

East Peckham river walk

An excellent walk starting and finishing in the village, taking you along a quiet stretch of the River Medway.

One of the tributaries to the River Medway, the River Bourne, joins the River Medway along this walk. The Bourne was once a productive river and used to power many mills. It is unsurprising given the name - that a Mill used to exist at Little Mill on the Bourne. Now part of the building is demolished and part is converted.

Kent was the most successful area in the UK for hop farming.The walk takes you by the back of the Hop Farm Country Park which hosts the largest group of Victorian Oast Houses in the world.

Teston river walk

This walk is always a favourite with good views of the Medway Valley. It takes you through a variety of wooded and grassland areas and can also be easily linked to the West Farleigh walk if you would like a longer walk. This walk takes you through Teston Bridge Country Park, where you can enjoy the open grassland and mix of riverside vegetation. Kingfishers can often be spotted long this stretch, as can Common Ternin the Summer.

Faversham walks

There are 4 fantastic walks in Faversham which follow rivers. These guides are full of interesting facts and places to visit including England’s oldest brewery when you return to Faversham after a relaxing walk.

Find out more about all the walks which follow rivers:

Earth Wind and Water, A Walk on the Wild Side, First Fruit, The Two Creeks walk.

Royal Military Canal walk

This long distance 28 mile (45km) walk can be broken into smaller walks along the route. The canal was built to protect England from the possible invasion of Napoleon's troops, with construction of the canal beginning in 1804. Today, the canal is a great place to walk and enjoy the surrounding scenery and wildlife.