Best walks near Canterbury by train
Kent · South East England | Walks by foot
Stations: Canterbury West · Canterbury East
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South East England and plan your next day of green.
Margate Station to Broadstairs Station (Kent)
30m direct from Canterbury West.
11km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
Beginner-friendly: Just keep the sea on your left and follow it to Broadstairs.
Very popular and busy.
Highlights: Margate and Broadstairs.
Lunch stop: the Captain Digby (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Tartar Frigate, the Neptune's Hall, Siam Kitchen, the Magnet Micropub, or the Prince Albert.
Buying train tickets: Buy a return ticket to Margate (it’s fine to embark at Broadstairs for the return journey, because Broadstairs is en route to Margate).
Ramsgate Station to Margate Station (Kent)
30m direct from Canterbury West.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Low chalk cliffs, sandy bays and coves, cliff-top grassland, seaside promenades, and historic coastal towns. Very popular and busy. Check tide timings.
Highlights: Margate and Broadstairs.
Lunch stops: the Royal Victoria Pavilion (30m–1h in), or Forts Café (1h30–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Mechanical Elephant, or the Cinque Ports.
Charing Station to Chilham Station (Kent)
9m direct from Canterbury West.
Tough: 21km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
A rambler favourite! Penultimate section of the Pilgrim's Way to Canterbury.
Highlights: Canterbury and Chilham.
Lunch stops: the Flying Horse (2h–3h in), or Perry Court Tea Room (2h–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Chilham Square, the White Horse, Chilham, or the Woolpack Inn, Chilham.
Winchelsea Station to Hastings Station (Sussex)
45m from Canterbury West, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 18km. 4h–7h.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Hastings.
Lunch stops: the New Beach Club (1h30–2h30 in), or the Cove (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Jolly Fisherman, the Lord Nelson, the Royal Standard, the London Trader, the Hastings Arms, Ye Olde Pumphouse, the Cutter, or the Albion.
Folkestone Central Station Circular via Castle Hill (Kent)
30m from Canterbury West, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 16km. 5h–8h.
A rambler favourite! Verdant coastal cliffs, rolling hills, and suburban streets. Begins, necessarily, with a lengthy suburban segment, but then becomes very beautiful and surprisingly quiet. Particularly lovely on the walk along the cliffs east of Folkestone, where there are also a number of lunch spot choices. The narrow overgrown paths are best. But note that there is a LOT of steep ascents and descents on this walk.
Highlights: Folkestone.
Lunch stops in Capel-le-Ferne (3h–4h30 in): Cliff Top Café, the Royal Oak, or the Cliff Top Café.
End-of-walk rewards: the Royal George, the Harbour Inn, the Kipps' Alehouse, the Samuel Peto, the Pullman, the East Kent Arms, or the Lord Morris.
Stratford Station to Stratford International Station (Essex)
45m direct from Canterbury West.
Easy: 0km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Dover Priory Station to Deal Station (Kent)
30m direct from Canterbury East.
17km.
A rambler favourite! Clifftop chalk paths, two significant climbs, level pebble beach coastpath, open sea views, and historic town. Mobile may switch networks.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Folkestone Central Station to Dover Priory Station (Kent)
30m direct from Canterbury East.
14km.
A rambler favourite! Coastal cliffs, chalk downland, sea defences, wild landslip area, wartime installations, ridge between valley and sea, and town crossing. Cracked sea defences.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Sandling Station to Folkestone Central Station (Kent)
30m from Canterbury West, with one change.
17km.
A rambler favourite! Dismantled railway, chalky escarpment ridge, steep climbs, open downland with Channel views, cliff top promenade, shingle beach, and historic harbour. Steep climbs near start.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Hastings Station to Rye Station (Sussex)
45m from Canterbury West, with one change.
19km. 6h.
A rambler favourite! Clifftop coastal path, steep climbs, remote naturist beach, flat marshland, ancient hilltop towns, and panoramic viewpoints. Crumbly cliff edges.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Chilham Station Circular (Kent)
9m direct from Canterbury West.
15km.
Downland escarpment, upland fields, woods, bluebell woods, country estate, and a hilltop village.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Wye Station Circular via Crown Memorial (Kent)
15m direct from Canterbury West.
17km. 5h.
North Downs escarpments, chalk downland, beech and chestnut woods, open fields, riverbank along Great Stour, churchyard, and farmland. Can be muddy.