Best walks near Chatham by train
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)
1h direct from Chatham.
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).
Borough Green & Wrotham Station to Sevenoaks Station (Kent)
45m from Chatham, with one change.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
An essential walk! Greensand hills, apple orchards, woodland paths, streams, deer park, open parkland, and historic manor grounds. Mostly secluded. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Ightham Mote (14th century manor; a visit easily fits into a walk schedule), Knole House (enormous aristocratic estate, associated with the Bloomsbury Group; well worth a visit but consumes a day in itself), and Knole Park.
Lunch stops: the Plough (2h–3h in), or Ightham Mote café (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Chequers, the Restoration, or the Sennockian.
Otford Station Circular via the Darent Valley (Kent)
45m from Chatham, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 13km. 4h–6h30.
A rambler favourite! North Downs hills, chalk woodland, bluebell woods, open commons, grassy fields, disused golf course, Darent Valley riverbank, and quaint village. Can be muddy.
Lunch stops in Shoreham (1h30–2h in): the Samuel Palmer, the Kings Arms, or the Mount Vineyard.
End-of-walk rewards: the Crown, the Bull, or the Woodman.
Ramsgate Station to Margate Station (Kent)
1h direct from Chatham.
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.
Chilham Station to Canterbury East Station (Kent)
45m direct from Chatham.
14km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Chilham, Canterbury Cathedral, and Canterbury itself.
Lunch stops in Chilham (30m–1h in): the Chilham Square, or the Star Inn.
End-of-walk rewards: the Monument, the Unicorn Inn, the West Gate Inn, the Carpenters Arms, or the Old Buttermarket.
Stratford Station to Stratford International Station (Essex)
30m direct from Chatham.
Easy: 0km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Victoria Station to Kensington (Olympia) Station (Middlesex)
45m direct from Chatham.
Easy: 5km, flat terrain. 1h30.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Victoria Station to Paddington Station (Middlesex)
45m direct from Chatham.
Easy: 4km, gentle ascents. 1h.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Kings Cross Station to Farringdon Station (Middlesex)
45m from Chatham, with one change.
Easy: 6km, gentle ascents. 1h30.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Kentish Town Station to Gospel Oak Station (Middlesex)
45m from Chatham, with one change.
Easy: 1km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Kentish Town West Station to Kentish Town Station (Middlesex)
45m from Chatham, with one change.
Easy: 0km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Finsbury Park Station to Harringay Green Lanes Station (Middlesex)
1h from Chatham, with one change.
Easy: 1km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Field and woodland paths.