Keeping the summer vibe going – Saxon Shore and fish n chips on the beach - 22km

Join us for this largely flat stroll along the beautiful northeast Kent coast, with its natural beauty, maritime history, and charming seaside towns, ending with fish n chips and a beer on the beach.

DESCRIPTION

Starting in Birchington-on-Sea, we’ll walk along the Saxon Shore Way, a well-trodden path following the ancient coastline and offering sweeping views of the North Sea. The paths takes us past Minnis Bay, with its wide sandy beach and grassy promenade.

From there, we’ll hug the coastline, with the sea on one side and low cliffs or grassy banks on the other. We'll pass Reculver Towers, ruins of a 12th-century church built on the site of a Roman fort, with its twin towers, perched dramatically above the shoreline.

The path then becomes quieter and more remote, with salt marshes, pebbled beaches, and occasional wooden groynes dotting the shore, accompanied by wading birds and other coastal species.

We’ll pass through Herne Bay, a classic English seaside town, with a pier, bandstand, and a variety of cafés and chip shops.

The final stretch to Whitstable will take us past Tankerton Slopes, overlooking colourful beach huts, before descending into the town itself. Famous for its oysters and artistic spirit, Whitstable has several independent shops, galleries, and seafood restaurants, as well as a working harbour and shingle beach.

We’ll either head to a seafront pub, or pick up some food and refreshments and go sit on the beach. As ever, this will be weather dependent. Equally, if you would rather head straight home after the hike, that is absolutely fine!

SUMMARY (all info is approximate!)

Distance: c 22km/14 miles linear route
Ascent: 100 metres
Duration: 5 hours walking
Grade: Beginner/Intermediate: flat, along good paths.

COST AND LOGISTICS

Cost: £10
Meet: Victoria station 9am or Birchington-on-Sea station 11am
Hike start: 11am Birchington-on-Sea Station
Hike finish: 5pm (approx.) Whitstable Station / Beach / Old Neptune pub

RECOMMENDED MORNING TRAIN FROM LONDON

09:10 Dep: Victoria
09:53 Arr: Rochester
CHANGE TRAINS IN ROCHESTER
09:57 Dep: Rochester
10:54 Arr: Birchington-on-Sea
Price with Railcard: £21.30

Or

09:20 Dep: St Pancras International
10:54 Arr: Birchington-on-Sea
Price with Railcard: £26.40

Recommended train ticket
Super Off-Peak Day Return to Birchington-on-Sea.

PRICE INCLUDES

• Guided hike planned and led by an experienced AAA leader, trained in Outdoor First Aid.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Travel costs
• Lunch, drinks or any refreshments
• PayPal fees

RECOMMENDED KIT LIST (complete list)

• Suitable hiking shoes or boots
• Packed lunch and snacks
• Water - 2 litres recommended
• Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencel/Merino
• Warm windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece
• Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!)

REVIEWS
Trip Advisor | Facebook | MeetUp

CANCELLING/REFUNDS
If you can no longer make the hike, please update your RSVP to say 'No', to allow others to buy your place. If the hike is full, we will refund you, less than the PayPal/Meetup fees. To obtain this, please email info@aaalondongroup.com after the event, with the email address you use on your PayPal account and transaction reference. If the hike is not full, unfortunately we will not be able to provide any refund.

QUESTIONS
If you have any other questions, please check visit our FAQ page. If you are still unsure, contact the event Host shown on this page.

We have operated over 1,000 events without significant incidents in the last ten years, achieved through meticulous planning. All participants (members and their guests) in any AAA Hiking event or activity are personally responsible for their fitness, safety and welfare, and must be equipped accordingly. If you have signed up for the event, you acknowledge and accept the AAA London Group Terms and Conditions. © AAA London Group Ltd. Errors and Omissions Excepted
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