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Winter walks across Kent from Dover to Sevenoaks and Canterbury to Margate

Want to head out on a winter walk near you this weekend with someone special?

Valentine's Day needn't be pricey - just wrap up warm and take a walk this Sunday, weather permitting. We've picked out 11 across the county to try. Pick your nearest here:

Where will you be walking? Picture: National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra
Where will you be walking? Picture: National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

White Cliffs of Dover

A wintry cliff top walk includes spotting Guillemots out at sea, short eared owls and Waxwings in the hedgerows. The iconic landmark offers stunning views and a wealth of wildlife. If you're feeling adventurous - and ready to battle some coastal winds - you can follow the path all the way along to the lighthouse, staying away from the edge. But the site, which has a pay and display car park, gets busy. You may be turned away at busy times currently. For details go to nationaltrust.org.uk

Poppies on the White Cliffs of Dover Picture: Matt Hayward/National Trust
Poppies on the White Cliffs of Dover Picture: Matt Hayward/National Trust

Turner and Dickens Walk

Starting at The Droit House Visitor Centre next to the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate - look out for the Antony Gormley Iron Man statue in the sea at low tide - this easy access walk from Explore Kent is even suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs and takes you through Margate Old Town, out into open parkland and through the pretty village of St Peters before heading into Broadstairs where the Dickens House Museum is the end point. The 4 mile walk takes you into Broadstairs, past the unusual Crampton Tower Museum and surrounding parkland which is publicly accessible. Once in Broadstairs, you can retrace your steps back to Margate. To download the walk go to explorekent.org

Antony Gormley's sculpture Another Time outside the Turner in Margate Picture: Thierry Bal
Antony Gormley's sculpture Another Time outside the Turner in Margate Picture: Thierry Bal

Orchard Walks, Faversham

If you're an orchard passholder and fancy a walk in the orchards of the National Fruit Collection visit between 10am and 4pm.You'll need a pass and you'll need to pre-book a visitor’s slot via Brogdale’s website. Orchard passes cost £13.50 for an adult, £6 for a child or £28 for a family. For track and trace purposes book a slot online in advance or scan the QR code on arrival. Book at brogdalecollections.org

You can walk through the orchards. Picture: Chris Davey
You can walk through the orchards. Picture: Chris Davey

Ightham Mote, Borough Green

The peaceful setting of the romantic moated manor house near Borough Green, with its garden, orchard, water features and ancient woodland walks has some calming estate walks to try. There is an outdoor Peter Pan activity trail for little ones, and decorations to see. For the directions to a circular walk on the estate click here.

Christmas at Ightham Mote
Christmas at Ightham Mote

The Parkland Walk and Riverside Walk at Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place has two free-to-access estate walks: the Parkland Walk and the Riverside Walk are marked with numbered and colour-coded signs to follow and both can be completed in a day, starting and finishing in the visitor car park. The estate shut in October, but the trails are still open to enjoy. For more details on the walks go here.

Penshurst Place isn't open but the wider estate is
Penshurst Place isn't open but the wider estate is

Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, Faversham

Managed by Kent Wildlife Trust, the reserve is a wildlife haven on the outskirts of Faversham and has 170 acres of mudflats and marshes. Start the walk from the car park and then follow a section of the Saxon Shore Way and other footpaths to form a circular walk around the marshes. The route visits the village of Oare where there's a 13th century church, an old windmill and two pubs. You'll also pass along the Oare Creek with lots of boats and views over to Nagden Marshes. Find out more here.

Boats in the Oare Marshes near Faversham
Boats in the Oare Marshes near Faversham

Marlowe's Canterbury Walk

This walk celebrates playwright Christopher Marlowe, who was educated at the King’s School at Canterbury Cathedral, and then at Corpus Christi in Cambridge. The 1.6 mile walk takes walkers around the heart of Canterbury visiting buildings which Marlowe himself would have been familiar, as well as opportunities to learn more about his life, which ended at 29 in suspicious circumstances. It starts and finishes at St George's Church, Marlowe's home. Download the route at explorekent.org

You'll take in the sights of Canterbury Cathedral
You'll take in the sights of Canterbury Cathedral

Bewl Water, Lamberhurst

With hundreds of acres of rolling countryside around the reservoir to explore, the largest stretch of inland open water is the perfect place for a brisk winter’s walk. Walkers can step out on the challenging 12.5-mile round walk, or try some more leisurely and scenic short walks. For details go to bewlwater.co.uk.

Bewl Water near Lamberhurst
Bewl Water near Lamberhurst

Wye Downs Walk

Many of the village buildings are medieval, although often concealed by more modern facades. Aphra Behn, described as being the first English woman to earn a living as a writer, was born in the village in 1640 and had a colourful career as a political spy for Charles I. The walk takes in sights including the Wye Crown cut into the chalk of the North Downs above the village, created to mark the coronation of King Edward VII.

The 4.3 mile circular walk, which includes getting over three stiles, starts at the car park in Coldharbour Lane and takes walkers long the main street in Wye. To download the route go to explorekent.org

Go for a family walk
Go for a family walk

Tunbridge Wells Circular

Kent Ramblers have published an updated guide book to the Tunbridge Wells Circular, a 27 mile walk through the countryside around the town. The walk can be completed in stages, and the book details four routes connecting various points on it to transport services in or linked to the town centre. The book, produced by Kent Ramblers’ secretary Robert Peel, also covers the Town Trail, a 3.2 mile route allowing walkers to appreciate the fine architecture and historical connections of Tunbridge Wells's many attractive buildings. It also features Six Walks Through Time which are centred on the historic market town of Cranbrook. It is available from Kent Ramblers costing £7.50. Book at kentramblers.org.uk

For more days out ideas across Kent click here.

How to feed the birds this winter.

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