Faversham to Whitstable walk

Easy Coastal Walk

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Wed, 21-Aug-24 A seaside walk: Faversham to Whitstable 14 warm windy
Wed, 02-Aug-23 A seaside walk as promised: Faversham to Whitstable 2 blustery with the odd shower
Sat, 02-Jul-22 Saturday Walk (change of walk) Faversham to Whitstable - Faversham, mud flats and estuaries, Saxon Shore Way along the coast to Whitstable [swimming walk] 12 beautiful sunny day with a nice breeze
Sat, 26-Jun-21 Saturday Walk: Herne Bay to Faversham 18 mostly cloudy with some sun
Wed, 12-Aug-20 Wednesday walk Faversham to Whitstable - Follow a windswept coastline on the Saxon Shore Way through marshes and creeks - ending with oysters in Whitstable 11 overcast in the morning then lovely sunshine later
Wed, 11-Sep-19 Wednesday walk Faversham to Whitstable - along the Saxon Shore Way 6 perfect
Sat, 22-Jun-19 Faversham to Whitstable 7
Mon, 24-Jul-17 Last Day of Whitstable Oyster Festival 4
Sat, 30-Jul-16 Third Walk 12 overcast and warm
Sat, 21-Jun-14 Faversham to Whitstable 12
Sat, 28-Sep-13 Faversham to Whitstable 11
Thu, 27-Dec-12 Faversham to Whitstable
Sat, 21-Jul-12 Faversham to Whitstable
Sat, 23-Jul-11 Faversham to Whitstable
Sat, 14-Aug-10 Faversham to Whitstable
Sun, 12-Jul-09 Faversham to Whitstable
Sat, 26-Jul-08 Faversham to Whitstable
Sun, 16-Mar-08 Faversham to Whitstable
Sun, 19-Aug-07 Faversham to Whitstable
Sat, 17-Mar-07 Faversham to Whitstable
Sun, 29-Oct-06 Faversham to Whitstable
Sandy
Sandy

Length:15.7 km (9.8 miles) 1/10

This walk was done in a storm last year so I'm hoping for better luck this time - it's an easy walk along the coast from Faversham to Whitstable (although you may be tempted to linger in Faversham which has attractive cafes). High tide is from around 1-3 pm so a swim might be possible somewhere between Seasalter and Whitstable; the sea will certainly be warm enough. Apologies to anyone already going to Faversham on Sunday 18, but there isn't much overlap with that walk.

Trains: 1010 from Victoria (Bromley 1026) arrives Faversham 1125. Two return trains an hour from Whitstable at varying times; the train at 50 past the hour goes to St Pancras and you change at Faversham for Victoria. Get a return to Whitstable; if you're planning to return by St Pancras you'll need a ticket that's valid on HS1.

Lunch: Forget-me-not Cafe and Tearoom 400 Faversham Road, Seasalter, CT5 4BW located 9.7km from the start of the walk, was tried out last year. It's not large but has decent lunch options. Otherwise picnic on the beach nearby.

Tea: numerous places in Whitstable including the prominent Neptune pub on the beach front. If that's too busy, the Ship Centurion on the High Street might make a good alternative. The Tudor Tea Rooms 29 Harbour Street, CT5 1AH (tel. 01277 273167) is suggested in the notes.

For walk directions, map and GPX click here

T=swc.12

  • Wed, 21-Aug-24

    Dear Sandy I was hoping to do this walk but have jumped on the wrong train Tried to get a train from Waterloo East so will have to come back from.Dover May see you at lunch time Jane Have a lovely.day

  • Thu, 22-Aug-24

    I'm afraid we didn't see you Jane, I hope you had a nice walk anyway. There were 13 on the posted train, so that makes14 altogether on a warm windy day.

    The character of this walk has been changed by the vast solar farm being built east of Faversham - it stretches nearly all the way to the Sportsman pub so we were walking past it for literally hours. Good views across the estuary the other way though.

    I'd fogotten how far it was to the cafe and it was 2 already when most of us stopped for sandwiches right at the first place you can get on to the beach by the groynes at Seasalter. Six swam there in nice calm warmish water although jellyfish were a concern, and the stiff breeze meant it was chilly getting out. Meanwhile one went to the Forget me Not cafe and one managed to get a drink at the Sportsman despite warnings that they didn't like walk-ins.

    Most of us were ready for ice cream, tea or stronger fare by the time we reached the West Beach Bar/Cafe on the way in to Whitstable. It's nestled amongst chalets just back from the beach and made a good tea stop - better than the cafe we tried in Whitstable last time. Freshly baked scones were had by some. Three or four people also patronised the Neptune. 1725 train home for eight of us

Length:15.7 km (9.8 miles) 1/10

The weather on Wednesday doesn't look particularly conducive to what I had in mind, but let's do it anyway . . . I've got good memories of this easy walk along the coast from Faversham to Whitstable (although you may be tempted to linger in Faversham which has attractive cafes). High tide is from around 1-3 pm so a swim might be possible somewhere between Seasalter and Whitstable, the sea will certainly be warm enough.

Travel: 1010 from Victoria (Bromley 1026) arrives Faversham 1125. Two return trains an hour from Whitstable at varying times; the train at 50 past the hour goes to St Pancras and you change at Faversham for Victoria. Get a return to Whitstable; if you're planning to return by St Pancras you'll need a ticket that's valid on HS1.

South Eastern is apparently not affected by this week's industrial action, touch wood.

Lunch: The Sportsman Faversham Road, Seasalter, CT5 4BP (tel 01227-273370) . Located 9km from the start of the walk. This is a suggested lunch stop. But it is usually booked out well in advance for lunch (particularly at weekends); advance booking is essential. [NB Sorry, I've just read a comment from July 2022 and checked the website, it does not look like the Sportsman is a suitable lunch stop.] Forget-me-not Cafe and Tearoom 400 Faversham Road, Seasalter, CT5 4BW, l ocated 9.7km from the start of the walk, has got very good reviews so is a possible lunch stop. NOTE ACCORDING TO ITS FACEBOOK PAGE IT IS CASH ONLY THIS WEEK!

Tea: numerous places in Whitstable including the prominent Neptune pub on the beach front. The Tudor Tea Rooms 29 Harbour Street, CT5 1AH (tel. 01277 273167) is suggested in the notes.

For walk directions, map and GPX click here

T=swc.12

  • Wed, 02-Aug-23

    Is anyone going down today? Don't want to turn up on my tod?

  • Wed, 02-Aug-23

    At least two are going down, including me.

  • Wed, 02-Aug-23

    Thanks no doubt to the multiple weather warnings issued for Kent, only2 intrepid walkers travelled to Faversham on the posted train - well not that intrepid in my case as I was in two minds, so thanks for your encouragement Gavin.

    Anyway we set off and it turned out to be a fine walk, blustery with the odd shower but making for a very pleasant walk along the coast; the rain only really set in after we got to Whitstable. Before that, we sampled the small and unpretentious Forget-me-not cafe at Seasalter - good food options, experience only marred by one of our orders being forgotten although there were hardly any customers. Apart from that, this made a good midweek lunch stop but it would probably struggle to cater for a large group at the weekend.

    We stopped for a pint at the Old Neptune and sat outside pretending the sun was about to come out. As there was a gap before the train, I joined my companion briefly for another drink at the Centurion(?) before getting to the station in time for two trains to be cancelled - eventually home via the delayed 1650.

    PS Gavin met another Saturday Walker on his train but I'm not sure if they did the walk - perhaps you could amend the number if so?


Because of a rail strike by ASLEF on Anglia services, today's scheduled walk - Wivenhoe Circular - is postponed for a fortnight
In its place today is this coastal walk
SWC 12 - Faversham to Whitstable

Length: 15.7 km (9.8 miles)
Toughness: 1 out of 10 a flat, coastal walk
Either
London Victoria: 10-10 hrs Southeastern service to Ramsgate Bromley South 10-27 hrs
Arrive Faversham: 11-25 hrs
Or
London St Pancras: 10-25 hrs Southeastern High Speed service to Ramsgate
Arrive Faversham: 11-31 hrs
Would Victorians please wait for the Pancreatics train to arrive
Return
Whitstable to Victoria: direct trains at 15-27, 16-27, 17-00, 17-27, 18-00 and 18-27 hrs
Whitstable to St Pancras: direct trains at 40 mins past the hour
Rail ticket: buy a day return to Whitstable
This exhilarating coastal walk ends at Whitstable beach, where, if conditions are right and it is warm enough, swimmers can enjoy a dip in the sea.
The walk starts through the historic and delightful town of Faversham, going past the market hall then old, mediaeval buildings as you soon walk through boat yards to join the Saxon Shore Way through creeks and mudflats. This path takes you on to the coastline which you now follow all the way to Seasalter. Just behind the shoreline is the Sportsmans pub / restaurant, a rather pretentious and expensive establishment which you have to book in advance to stand any chance of getting a table. Speaking personally, I don't think its worth the effort. Further along the coast you can can have a sandwich or light meal at Forget Me Not Cafe & Tea Room. Otherwise, you have to wait until you reach Whitstable to dine, where you can indulge in oysters or have a pub meal at the Old Neptune pub on the beach. Back to the walk itself, from Seasalter you walk along the coast and promenade to later walk along the beach into town. The railway station is a bit of a hike from the town centre and beach so leave at least twenty minutes to catch an infrequent train back to London.
T=swc.12
Walk Directions are here: L=swc.12
  • Sat, 02-Jul-22

    10 off the consolidated and delayed train (those from Victoria having been evicted at Sittingbourne), which made for a rather late start. We wished we had time to dally in Faversham which looked very pretty with a market in full swing. 1 was already waiting for us and 1 caught up later making12 walkers (1 newcomer) on a beautiful sunny day with a nice breeze . 6 of us swam in lovely warm calm water near Seasalter. The Old Neptune was packed so four of us had a nice tea in the Tea and Times on the high street; at least five others stopped at Hutstock. The majority got the 6 o'clock train home. Another top day out, thank you for posting.

HollieB
HollieB
SWC 12 - Herne Bay to Faversham
14.8 miles / 23.8 km
A seaside walk along the North Kent coast following the Saxon Shore Way - the route follows the coast as much as possible, with a little diversion over the railway line and back again on the way out of Whitstable. Usually this is walked in the opposite direction, but Faversham is a lovely place to finish.

Whitstable has plenty of places for an early lunch (it's just 5 miles from the start), a slightly later option is the Forget Me Not Cafe and Tea Rooms at Seasalter.
Trains: 09:40 London Victoria (09:57 Bromley South), arrives 11:09 at Herne Bay. Return trains from Faversham at xx:00 to St Pancras, xx:37 to London Victoria (plus a very slow London Victoria train at xx:45). Buy a day return to Herne Bay.
Covid Contact Tracing: please provide email address or mobile phone number at the start of the walk.
Full details and walk directions here.
T=swc.12
  • Marc RICKETS
    Sat, 26-Jun-21

    I am doing the Walk Today. Now it maybe pouring down with rain. And it will be Muddy in places. But we got to make the most of it.

  • Sat, 26-Jun-21

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Sun, 27-Jun-21

    This solar farm is being built on part of the marshes close to Faversham and Whitstable. As a local friend said to me "Enjoy the marshes while you can!"

    https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/campaigns/planning-and-development/cleve-hill-solar-park

  • Sun, 27-Jun-21

    6 did a shortened version by getting off at Whitstable and walking to Faversham.

  • Sun, 27-Jun-21

    Hard to put a number on. From the Victoria train, 8 started at Herne Bay and others, say 4, got off at Whitstable. I presume the 6 Bridie mentions are off the delayed St Pancras train. How's your maths? I reckon 18 but what do I know? It was mostly cloudy with some sun Coastline fairly busy. My lunch was a hasty cider gulped down at the Old Neptune in Whitstable, don't know about the others but there was talk of fish and chips. (Don't know much, do I?) Some went for a swim. I heard some stayed for pizza in Faversham. One brave chap walked all the way from HB without looking at directions till near Faversham but then got lost looking for the station and missed the train. :( Reading them in reverse, see.

SWC 12 - Faversham to Whitstable

Length: 15.7 km (9.8 miles)
Toughness: 1 out of 10


For those comfortable using public transport outside of peak travel hours to get to the start of today's walk, and are prepared to be fully compliant with the travel "rules", which you will know by now, you have a choice of trains:

Either
London Victoria: 10-10 hrs Dover Priory service Bromley South 10-27 hrs
Arrive Faversham: 11-25 hrs
Or
London St Pancras: 10-27 hrs Southeastern HS1 service to Ramsgate Stratford Intern. 10-34 hrs
Arrive Faversham: 11-31 hrs

Return
Whitstable to Victoria: 16-19, 16-39, 17-26, 18-22, 19-22 and 20-27 hrs
Whitstable to St Pancras: 16-49, 17-49, 19-01, 19-49 and 20-49 hrs

Rail ticket
Buy a day return to Whitstable

Could Victorians please linger with intent on the platform at Faversham for the few minutes before any Pancreatics arrive.

If you like a flat, coastal, windswept walk - this is a walk for you ! Apart from a few mole hills, the terrain is flat - hence the low toughness rating. But the walk is not lacking in interest: from the Saxon Shore Way path through creeks and marshes and the path along the sea wall you have some lovely vast open views. Twitchers like this walk for the birdlife which can be spotted in the numerous marshes alongside the coastline.

Lunch is best taken in Seasalter at Forget Me Not Cafe and Tea Room (formerly Poppets) on Faversham Road. Open until 4 pm, this cafe serves classic British cuisine - most reports are very good. The gourmet restaurant on this walk - The Sportsman - is best avoided, because you usually have to book several weeks in advance - and it is expensive (although very good).

Entering Whitstable at walk-end, you should be able to find a tea stop, pub or oyster bar for a post walk treat and indulgence.
Allow at least 20 minutes from the centre of Whitstable to its railway station.
T=swc.12
This is a pleasant summer outing. Enjoy ! Walk Directions are here: L=swc.12



  • Anonymous
    Tue, 11-Aug-20

    I will get the Train from Whitstable arriving 11:35 and catch-up with the group. Rich

  • Thu, 13-Aug-20

    7 off the train from Victoria, 2 from St Pancras and 2 from Whitstable, so we mustered 11 for today's seaside walk.

    Fortunately, the temperature in Faversham and along the shore was ten degrees lower than in London, and although the air was heavy and a little humid, the sea breeze made walking conditions pleasant and comfortable. It was overcast in the morning then lovely sunshine later . Infact, it had warmed up quite considerably by the time we left Seasalter and headed for Whitstable.

    We met a few walkers in the morning but mostly we had the vast open spaces, marshes and creeks to ourselves. The tide was out early on, leaving the estuaries and creeks as mud flats.

    Four stopped for their picnic a mile before Seasalter and six others had theirs on the beach in Seasalter. I purchased a take away from "Forget-Me-Not" cafe and enjoyed it sitting on the sea wall. Below me, on the beach, it was getting busier with bucket-and-spade families, most sensibly observing social distancing.

    On then along the shoreline towards Whitstable, now in full-on sunshine, to find the town buzzing. We managed to secure an outside table at the otherwise full Old Neptune pub, on the sea front, and enjoyed post-walk drinks in the sun. At least 2 went for a swim - the tide now being in - and I hope they enjoyed their dip. On then through the busy town to the railway station, where 4 of us caught the 16-46 hrs train back to hot, sultry London - having enjoyed a lovely day out at the seaside.

SWC 12 - Faversham to Whitstable

Length: 15.7 km (9.8 miles)
Toughness: 1 out of 10 (nice and flat all the way along the coast)

Either
London Victoria: 10-10 hrs Dover Priory service Bromley South: 10-27 hrs
Arrive Faversham: 10-25 hrs

Or
London St Pancras: 10-27 hrs Stratford International: 10-34
Arrive Faversham: 11-31 hrs

Would Victorians please wait for any Pancreatics to arrive.

Return

Whitstable to Victoria: direct trains at 16-19, 17-26, 18-22 and 19-22 hrs
Changing at Sittingbourne [S] or Faversham [F]: 16-49 [S], 17-49 [F] and 19-49 [S]

Whitstable to St Pancras: direct trains at 16-49, 17-49 and 18-49 hrs

Long walkers: Herne Bay to Victoria: direct trains at 17-19, 18-15, 19-15 and 20-20 hrs. Changing at Sittingbourne: 17-44, 18-42 and 19-44 hrs.

Rail ticket: main walkers - buy a day return to Whitstable. Long walkers - to Herne Bay


Wednesday walkers who enjoyed the Faversham Circular walk on a hot, sunny day on 24 July should also enjoy re-visiting Faversham at the start of this coastline walk to Whitstable. The walk is flat all the way as you proceed along the Saxon Shore Way to Seasalter, before continuing on to Whitstable. Anyone wanting to go long today can extend the walk to Herne Bay (making a total walk of 23.8 km - 14.8 miles) but I suspect most of you will be content with the main walk, particularly if it is warm enough to take a swim somewhere along the coast from Seasalter to Whitstable, tides permitting.

Lunch today: The Sportsman in Seasalter, 9 km into the walk. tel: 01227-273370. Booking ahead is essential. My opinion of what I had previously found to be a pretentious, over-priced sea-food establishment went up the last time a small group of SWC walkers called in on a very wet day - the manager kindly allowed us to dry off and eat our own sandwiches in their conservatory. Further down Faversham Road from the Sportsman is Forget Me Not Cafe (formerly Poppet's Cafe) which has good reviews. Otherwise, you have to wait until you reach Whitstable where you can sample their oysters or have a late lunch or take tea in a choice of cafes and pubs.

The railway station is some twenty minutes or so from the centre of town.
T=swc.12
Walk Directions are here: L=swc.12
.
  • Anonymous
    Fri, 13-Sep-19

    6 perfect

    3 from St.Pancras and 2 from Victoria, plus another who contacted by text but was not encountered. A very beautiful day in wonderful early autumnal light. The Sportsman was fully booked but we rested outside before dining at the cafe a little further on. Four went straight to the train while one lingered another hour to enjoy the sinking sun from the shingle beach outside the buzzing Old Neptune pub.

Sat, 22-Jun-19 : Faversham to Whitstable 7
Mike A
Mike A
With a potentially warmer weekend forecast, here's a gentle seaside stroll for those with a yearning to see the coast

Length 9.8 miles (15.7 km)
Toughness 1 out of 10

Getting there

Catch the 9:55 am HST Faversham train from London St. Pancras International (10:02 from Stratford International) to arrive at Faversham 11:05 am.

Alternatively

Catch the 9:40 am Ramsgate train from London Victoria (9:57 am Bromley South) to arrive at Faversham 10:52 am. You may wish to wait for the St. Pancras train to arrive and investigate the delightful high street.

Getting back

There is one fairly fast train per hour back from Whitstable station to London Victoria at 27 minutes past the hour. Journey time 1 hour 24 minutes

There is one fairly fast train per hour back from Whitstable station to London St. Pancras at 49 minutes past the hour. Journey time 1 hour 17 minutes

Plan your journey here.

Tickets

Buy a cheap day return to Whitstable. Please note that the St. Pancras Service is more expensive and if you've travelled from London Victoria, you will need to return to that station or upgrade your ticket.


Maps

OS Landranger Map 178 and 179 Explorer Map 149 and 150.

Overview

This is an easy walk starting in the delightful town of Faversham with the main part of the walk mostly alongside the Saxon Shore Way
Whitstable has a fish market and harbour if you have time to while away.

Lunch

Booking at the suggested Lunch stop The Sportsman is essential if you are looking for a "gastro" lunch. However walkers have found that the Oyster Pearl 2.5km further on at 185 Faversham Road in Seasalter CT5 4BJ is a reasonably priced alternative. Lastly there is the Forget Me Not at 400 Faversham Road also in Seasalter CT5 4BW.
The last two venues make for a longish morning leg (about 9.5km) so you may wish to bring (or buy in Faversham) a snack to eat en route.



More details about this walk may be found on the link below
L=3.12
T=swc.12

  • Sun, 23-Jun-19

    Started the day admiring Faversham with its rich history and architecture. The town's market square was a delight, we then saw the house where King James (the second) was held after his capture. Then we walked down a beautifully preserved medieval street which was saved from developers in 1958 and then one last treasure was seeing one of the oldest surviving warehouses in Britain. The 7 on this walk were then treated to some lovely nature in the way of butterflies and wild flowers as we walked around Faversham Creek. Prices at The Sportsman pub put people off from eating there so after the sandwich munchers had finished we set off on a very attractive coastal path to Whistable. After a drink at the Old Neptune pub five of us flopped onto the beach for a lovely hour of doing absolutely nothing. A good day out.

Marcus
Marcus
SWC Walk 12 - Faversham to Whitstable

Length: 15.7 km (9.8 miles)
Toughness: 1 out of 10

Either: London St Pancras: 10-27 hrs HS1 service
Arrive Faversham: 11-30 hrs

Or: London Victoria: 10-07 hrs Dover Priory service
Arrive Faversham: 11-23 hrs (please wait on station for arrival of St Pancras train)

Return: Whitstable to St Pancras: 50 mins past the hour HS1 service..journey time 1hr 20 mins
Whitstable to Victoria: 50 mins past the hour, changing at Faversham, and 15-24, 16-19, 17-23, 17-39, 18-23, 19-23, 20-28 and 21-28 hrs. Journey time 1 hr 23 mins.

Rail ticket: buy a day return to Whitstable. To take advantage of South Eastern's Summer Offer of £ 10 return (by purchasing your ticket before 6 pm on Sunday) you may have to specify a return train time. Suggest you check at your nearest station.

Bank Holidays excepted, we do not usually post group walks on a Monday, but a fellow walk poster has suggested we take advantage of the staging of Whitstable's Oyster Festival - today being its last day. So today we are coupling our flat, coastal walk from Faversham to Whitstable with the Oyster Festival - for a bit of fun at walk-end.

At the start of the walk it is worth taking in the historical sites in Faversham. Indeed, if oyster festivals are not your thing then there is a nice Faversham Circular Walk of 7.5 miles which explores the old town and then takes you out onto the marshes and back again. Pick up details of the walk from the Visitor Centre.

For those on the posted walk, having left Faversham you soon find yourselves on the Saxon Shore Way (SSW path) for a relaxing coastal walk. There is no lunch stop today, so either do the full walk in one go, or stop in Seasalter on the coast at the Sportsman's pub for a drink (lunch not served on Mondays) before continuing into Whitstable.

The Oyster Festival has moved this year from Whitstable's harbour eastwards towards Tankerton. Once there you can participate in the events and feed, or find somewhere nice on the coast for an afternoon swim. Or both. After the excitement make your way back through Whitstable to its station for your journey back to London.
T=swc.12
Walk directions here: L=swc.12
  • Mon, 17-Jul-17

    High tide is roughly 2.30pm. Whitstable has sufficient depth for swimming for at least three hours after high tide: after that the sea retreats over the mud.

  • Marion
    Tue, 18-Jul-17

    Intend going ton this walk today as away for the weekend at Chagstock the boutique music festival on Dartmoor

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 25-Jul-17

    Many thanks to Marcus for a magical walk.

  • Tue, 25-Jul-17

    Four of us alighted from the train from Victoria. We waited for the St Pancras train to arrive, but when it did, no-one else joined us, so that made 4 for the day's adventure.

    With overcast skies, as forecasted, and rain threatening at any moment, we set out through historic Faversham (worth a day visit in its own right) to arrive at the Saxon Shore Way for our coastal walk. Big rain bearing skies, big inland fields in full crop, flat marshes, rough seas whipped up by the high wind, the walk was atmospheric and invigorating, if a bit chilly. No motor car noise all morning, and few others out on the marshes, at times it felt as though we were in the middle of nowhere.

    As per last Wednesday in the Cotswolds, Lady Luck was with us again as the rain held off as we arrived in Seasalter, for a drink at the Sportsman pub. Full marks to the pub's management for allowing us to eat our sandwiches in their covered conservatory, out of the wind, which by now was stronger. Given my own previous experiences of the Sportsman were not good, this was much appreciated - so thank you.

    Onwards after lunch in the wind, and still dry, with some nice stretches along the shingle beach with the tide now fully in, and so into Whitstable Harbour, which was quite busy, despite the inclement weather. An oyster-shell castle building contest was underway, part of the Festival, but we resisted the urge to join in (as late starters). Similarly, as none of us was partial to eating oysters, we passed on the offer from the various stalls. The lobster and chips offer for £ 30 was more tempting, but a bit expensive for this pensioner. So instead we made for the railway station along the "Winkle and something Way", a cycle path between Canterbury and Whitstable, to catch the 17-23 hrs train back to Victoria. Trains today were all on time and not overcrowded.

    Comment on the South-Eastern ticket promotion: no-one knows about it, how it works, when it works (no-one being the ticket offices at both Victoria and Whitstable). I managed to persuade the ticket office in Victoria to give me a £ 10 return using the promotion: my three companions had no such luck. The South-Eastern website is not helpful, either. So best ignore this so-called phantom offer.

    But for a day out, we had a lovely time, and a thank you from me to my three lady companions for putting up with me and my warped sense of humour.

  • Tue, 25-Jul-17

    you have to buy the promo by 6pm the day before, at at southeastern station, or from their website

  • Tue, 25-Jul-17

    Thanks Andrew. I purchased my ticket from Victoria, which serves both Southern and South-Eastern, before 6 pm on Sunday before the walk. The ticket office was not aware of the promotion, and at first insisted I specify a particular return train - which I could not do. The website also asked me to specify a return service, and Whitstable ticket office thought the promotion was a Trainline initiative.

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 25-Jul-17

    This is the link for the Southeastern offer. It does work.

    You'll see the relevant destinations which you see when you scroll down the page. Buy up to 6pm the day before you travel and the price will come up as £10 return.

    https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/destinations-and-offers/hidden-gems/summer-hidden-gems

  • Marion
    Sat, 29-Jul-17

    Sorry I couldn't join you in the end after a wet and windy 4 days in a tent in Devon I was in no mood for the days weather forecast.

  • Sat, 29-Jul-17

    No problem, Marion. The seas were too rough and (probably) cold for swimming. As the four of us on the walk were taken with Faversham, I will be posting a Faversham Circular walk on Tuesday 22 August, making use of the £ 10 rail fare - as explained below.

Sat, 30-Jul-16 : Third Walk 12
DAC
DAC
SWC Walk 12a - Faversham to Herne Bay

Length: 23.8 km (14.8 miles). Toughness: 1/10
Shorter (standard) walk option to Whitstable: 15.7km (9.8 miles).

Catch the 10:07 from London Victoria arrives Faversham 11:23. Buy a day return to Herne Bay. For the standard walk buy a day return to Whitstable. Return from Herne Bay xx:21 until 22:21 (xx:28 Whitstable) to Victoria.*

Lunch: There are many possibilities in Whitstable. The Old Neptune is the suggested lunch stop.
Standard walk: The Sportsman will almost certainly be fully booked days / weeks in advance. Suggest Poppet's Café & Tea Room. 400 Faversham Road, Seasalter. (Street View looking west along Seasalter Road.)

* Slightly shorter journey time to St. Pancras xx:44 (xx:50 Whitstable); additional cost.
T=3.12
  • Mon, 25-Jul-16

    Intend going.

  • Tue, 26-Jul-16

    Now I might do the walk on Saturday. But I can't Guarantee I will.

  • Sun, 31-Jul-16

    12 of us on an overcast and warm day. Compared to the first and last walk check in 2006, there is now far more accessible coast walking past Seasalter, with only a 150 metre stretch off shore before arriving at the Old Neptune pub. So no more diversions inland over the railway to the inland road and back again. Once alongside the Creek it is now a very straightforward walk and I suspect that the updated directions will hold up well until the next scheduled walk check in 2026.

    PS - Belated thanks to Walker for researching and adding in ~2008 the updated section from the station through historic Faversham Town to Faversham Creek vs. the original dull section out to the Creek.

  • Red Rambler
    Mon, 01-Aug-16

    Just to add that 5 of us had great fresh fish lunch in Oyster Pearl pub just beyond Seasalter, we stayed on for the oyster festival at Whitstable enjoying music by the sea. Thanks for posting Ian.

  • David Colver
    Tue, 02-Aug-16

    A couple of points on Faversham to Whitstable, which I followed an hour early than recommended as an 1130 start to the actual walking is later than I enjoy.

    Last time a walk (possibly the same route) took me to Whitstable it was timed to coincide with the Whitstable Oyster Festival. As it happens, this walk coincided with the Oyster Festival too, but the walk posting overlooked this detail, or if it didn't I did. It's worth knowing as there are many stalls selling interesting food, not confined to Oysters.

    Not knowing about the festival stalls, I stopped at Poppet's Cafe and Tearoom and was given a warm and cheerful welcome. Main courses are generously proportioned and at £4-5 barely more than a pint of beer at other places. The upmarket (in terms of food ambition, if not outside appearance) Sportsman pub had a handwritten sign in the window saying it was fully booked for food.