Walks you can reach from Kemsley by train

[Gillingham Station](/train-stations/south-west-england/dorset/gillingham) to Sittingbourne Station (Kent)

5m direct from Kemsley.

lovely views out over the marshes. A lovely, varied route through woods, fields, gentle hills, orchards and a river estuary, with small sections of mostly safe road walking. The first half is farmland over very gentle hills; the second follows the Medway estuary on the England Coast Trail, with lovely views over the marshes and mudflats. Quite a lot of tarmac and with some muddy parts and slanted cycle gates. The estuary section is on the England Coast Trail. Optional detour along a causeway to 'Horrid Hill'. Break points at Borden, Newington, Rainham, Riverside Country Park and the Strand leisure area.

20km. Moderate ascents.

Steps, stiles and gates throughout, plus slanted cycle gates along the estuary. A field path beyond Newington was not reinstated across crops. Care crossing main roads.

Lunch: Break points with pubs/shops at Borden, Newington and Rainham; cafes and toilets at Riverside Country Park and the Strand.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Sittingbourne Station to Queenborough Station (Kent)

5m direct from Kemsley.

About 40% off-road on field footpaths, very flat with a few gentle slopes and plus the coastal path on Sheppey and a maze-like path through an orchard. Fields can be soggy or sticky in wet weather but passable; there are kissing gates. Uses the newly opened England Coast Path between Kingsferry Bridge and Rushenden; good views over the Swale from Kingsferry Bridge, where you may see the bridge lift for shipping.

13km. Gentle ascents.

A fair bit of unavoidable road walking on the Isle of Sheppey, some without pavement; a large pool of deep water can block the official England Coast Path entrance north of Rushenden; beware splintered wooden step covers on the coastal section.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Sittingbourne Station to Faversham Station (Kent)

5m direct from Kemsley.

A rural walk on field paths, farm tracks and a few very quiet single-track country lanes outside the two towns and over gently rolling hills. Mostly flat but with many gate stiles; very muddy in wet weather and open to the wind. Good for orchard blossom in late spring (April/May). Maison Dieu at Ospringe is one of several beautiful old buildings along the way.

15km. Moderate ascents.

Lunch: A pub and a cafe in Rodmersham Green about a mile off route; check opening days and kitchen hours.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Lenham Station to Sittingbourne Station (Kent)

5m direct from Kemsley.

16km. Moderate ascents.

There is no public right of way between Highsted Road and Brenchley Road in Sittingbourne despite one being shown on OS maps. Highsted Road south of Sittingbourne looks uncomfortable and possibly unsafe to walk, with bends, hedges and fast traffic.

Lunch: The only place to stop is the Blacksmiths Arms in Wormshill, which has very limited opening hours and food times.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Queenborough Station to Sheerness-on-Sea Station (Kent)

8m direct from Kemsley.

very pretty in places. A quiet, mostly traffic-free and largely off-road route, taking in Queenborough's historic high street and riverside, a shore-line stretch along the Swale and a linear park (The Fleet) beside a reedbed. Short stretches along wide alleys between sea wall and industrial areas. Mostly flat and easy to navigate. Follows a cycle route for much of the way; the coastal section runs right next to the tideline, good for watching feeding birds; public toilets in Sheerness.

Easy: 5km, flat terrain.

Lunch: Queenborough has several places to eat and drink along the High Street.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

[Gillingham Station](/train-stations/south-west-england/dorset/gillingham) to Queenborough Station (Kent)

8m direct from Kemsley.

the close up views of salt marshes and mud flats of the Medway and Swale, made all the more atmospheric by the distant industrial structures. A long, three-part coastal and estuary route: first a wide, popular path right by the Medway estuary coastline with great views; then field paths and quiet lanes on higher ground with views inland and across the estuary; finally a freshly opened section of the England Coast Path on the Isle of Sheppey. Some informal/permissive paths, deep ruts hidden under long grass and possible high-tide flooding. Uses the England Coast Path. Salt marshes and mudflats are important nesting sites for coastal birds and rare plants. Can be broken at Rainham, Lower Halstow, Iwade or Swale station; the Sheppey line has five stations.

Tough: 24km. Gentle ascents.

The England Coast Path section on Sheppey had unfinished waymarkers and crosses ground with deep ruts hidden under long grass. Some high-tide saltmarsh paths may flood.

Lunch: Toilets and cafes at the Strand in Gillingham and in Riverside Country Park; pubs on Lower Rainham Road; pubs and shops at Lower Halstow and Iwade.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Queenborough Station to Faversham Station (Kent)

8m direct from Kemsley.

An unavoidably long route through grazing marsh, freshwater pools, saltwater creeks, orchards and urban green spaces and quiet country lanes. Mostly flat; some sections can be soggy and waterlogged but doable with high boots. Passes through the Swale RAMSAR site with important bird populations; a high density of fruit orchards makes it good for spring blossom; lots of pitstop and public-transport options; you may see the Kingsferry Bridge spans lift.

Tough: 28km. Moderate ascents.

Some parts of the route can be very waterlogged.

Lunch stop: the Ship Inn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route