Now I might do this Walk on Saturday. But i can't Guarantee i will. Now the last time I did this Walk. Some of us couldn't go into a Pub Restaurant at all. So im the end. I went to get Fish and chips at a Fish and chips Restaurant instead. So I Thought I just let you know on this.

19 at the start of this walk. Three came on trains an hour early and lurked around on the old railway line looking at butterflies and also inspected the disused railway tunnel on it, before returning to the station to meet the others. Of those on the posted trains, the high speeders had an anxious time of it when their train left 5 minutes late due to some idiot jamming himself in the doors. But they made the connection at Ashford with seconds to spare.

The high speed trains were very busy, but as far as I know all got seats. Credit to Southeastern for running double length trains on the outward runs. Trains to the coast on hot days are always a bit stressful but the railway gets us there and gets us back again.

We set off in pleasant sunshine , hot but not madly so (22 degrees) and getting cooler as we approached the coast and caught the north-east breeze. The inland part of the walk passed easily even if the countryside was bone dry. Woods provided breaks from the sun.

Descending to the beach at Sandgate we passed two regular walkers sat outside the Duke of Clarendon pub. It was too short-staffed to do food, apparently, but had made an exception for this duo. I was not entirely clear how much of the actual posted walk they had done or intended to do, but after consulting our adjudication panel I pronounce them part of the group - so 21.

As soon as we got to the beach 14 flung themselves into the waves - possibly an SWC record. The water felt a tad chilly and was a bit wavy in the brisk breeze, but It all made for an exhilarating swim. Afterwards at least ten of us made for the Ship Inn, where we had a leisurely lunch on the open air deck overlooking the sea, the group evenly split between sol and sombra (for any bullfighting fans out there).

After lunch we progressed along a very breezy promenade to the Mermaid Beach at Folkestone. Some sandwichers had already swum here: other lunchers joined them for a mid tide swim, at least four of us doing the classic swim out round (or in one case to) the capped pole.

Post-swim we tried to get tea at the Mermaid Cafe but it was closing. A few die-hard addicts went the Hat-Hats kiosk instead; others went to the Harbour Arm for drinks. Some of either group reunited midway along the Harbour Arm for drinks, chips, pizza slices, whitebait and kiddie-sized fish and chips (which the purchaser was unable to finish) with lovely sea views.

In the end seven of us were left, debating if to get the high-speed train at 20.58 or the slow one at 20.38. Supplies were secured by the latter group. We all got to the very crowded platform in time for the 20.38, but at the last minute three of us decided to wait for the high speed. This was VERY crowded, but one of our more quietly determined walkers miraculously managed to find three seats around a table. We had a trouble-free ride home, washed down for two of us by white wine kindly donated by the slow-trainers.

A super summery day out. Thanks to the poster for a good choice.

My bad, but I have been spoilt in the past, just wondered if there will be a third walk posted for this Saturday. Many thanks.

I think the usual walk poster may be away but I can post a 3rd walk.

Ah, summer swimming walks: the walk poster’s dilemma. You can’t put them up unless the forecast is fine, and if the forecast is fine, the trains are rammed. But I was the only one it affected really. I got to St Pancras over an hour early and was panicked into getting the 9am train. This had people standing on it 10 minutes before it left the station. But the 4 or 5 who got the 10.04 train all got a seat because it was double length (smart thinking by Southeastern). And most walkers got the Charing Cross/London Bridge train, which was busy but not madly so.

I filled in the extra hour at Sandling by nature watching on the old railway line. Then when the appointed train arrived 15 got off, so 16 in all.

Off we set in pleasantly hot sun . No great incidents on the morning walk. The climb up onto the ridge after Saltwood was a bit overgrown, but only with bracken, which will die back in the winter. We navigated the awkward road section without problems, though some went AWOL onto the golf course here and found some other way back onto the walk route. At least one walker had planned to combine this walk with some elements of the Folkestone to Dover walk: we presume he did this.

I had expected to eat first and then swim, but the sight of the sparkling sea at Sandgate was too much, and my stomach had to wait its turn. Two of us in the advance party swam in front of the Ship Inn. The sea was gorgeous: clean and refreshing. Unusually there was no current and I went out further than I usually do here. The beach was not particularly busy.

We then went to the Ship and found its lovely sun deck overlooking the sea surprisingly empty. One could order food at the bar and life was very pleasant. We were joined by some drinkers and one more luncher and learned that a number of the group had swum further along the beach, on first arriving at the coast.

After lunch we ambled along to Folkestone and the Mermaid Beach, where we met most of the rest of the group, some in the cafe, two on the beach. At least seven of us swam here, the low tide conditions being good for those who like to keep in their depth. Four of us swam right across the bay and round the capped pole, a very satisfying expedition, with interesting currents around the pole.

It was now 5pm and there was discussion about whether to go straight to the station or to go to the Harbour Arm. Most went for the latter, but from here on in we lost the odd person here and there who went for a train. Eight of us ended up at the bar at the very end of the Harbour Arm, where we had a very nice drink with mouthwatering views of the bay.

Five of us then visited the Gormley statue and went in search of food. The others wanted fish and chips, but as I had unthinkingly had this for lunch, I opted for a (very tasty) burrito from one of the Harbour Arm food stalls. The others ended up having some trouble getting their chips, the waiting times in several places proving too long, but in the end succeeded. It looked as if we might miss the 19.58 high speed train, but by dint of a little jogging we made it. It was busy, but amazingly four of us got seats together (the other had got to the station a bit earlier) and we had a nice chatty ride back to London.

I'm planning to catch the Charing Cross train from Waterloo East

While I am going to take the Train from London Bridge. Save me a bit more money.

16 people. Weather was cloudy am sunny pm bit of a breeze

A walk of two halves The first inland with one or two climbs, three actually, one hellish, up what must be Kent’s Kilimanjaro, an earlier one, not quite as hellish. Nice views though, with sheep and cows and woods and stuff.. But we got there wherever that was. (Sandgate). Some stopped at the Clarendon (who weren’t doing food and only took cards over £10) others went in the sea (gasp).

Then on, the second half being more flatter. Coastal, even. This was more arty with arty beach huts and artworks..

A winding boardwalk took us past the new ‘smartarsitecture’ (looks good) to the old harbour rail station (restored and eerily empty). Here the group, who had displayed 100% cohesion so far, fragmented. Mr Tiger fell in with a bad crowd. They dragged him into a Weshrthpons, (the Samuel Pepyth Peto) and plied him with alclohoo, moshtly cider.

Then through twisty streets, across town to catch the 17 whatever to wherever.

Grand day out. Good choice.

When we all separated, about 6 of us went to find the Antony Gormley sculpture, which was looking good in the sunshine, while others were more interested in ice cream or beer. A large group then headed for tea at Steep Street, but there weren’t many tables and so two of us opted for a second swim instead at a near- deserted sunny sands beach. On our return we met two pubgoers, and one stayed with them to explore Folkestone further while I headed for the station and regrouped with the remaining pubgoers on the 1734. The tea group had got the train ahead of us.

It's hard to believe that I was the only person on this walk but didn't see anyone else. Only very short shower in the overcast morning but the sun came out in the afternoon. I had a most enjoyable day, rewarded for some energetic climbs getting to Sandgate by a leisurely afternoon exploring the interesting changes in the Folkestone Harbour area, and the interesting art works on the way.

overcast morning sun in the afternoon 1

Six of us got off the train as listed at 11.16 at Sandling, two starting from St P and four already on the Victoria train. We met on the platform, exchanged names and set off, didn't see anyone else so am somewhat puzzled by MG's commentsof being the only walker. We didn't have any rain at all so also puzzled by the mention of a very wet shower! Did you get an earlier train, walk a different route? There was a rain in the distance to the west. It was a lovely walk, ups and downs and a ridge with views of the coast including across to France. Two had sandwiches at Shorncliffe, three had lunch on the balcony at the Ship in Sandgate, very good Sunday roast apparently, one had sandwiches on the beach I think. The tide was high but some of us had planned to swim and after some dithering went in for a dip just past the harbour at Folkestone where it's sandy if perhaps not quite as fresh as at Sunny Sands which the sea had covered and was quite choppy. Tea at the very special Steep Street Cafe where you can browse second books as you sip, homeward on th 6pm St P train for some of us.6 weather=sunny and breezy

sorry meant to say very short shower!

And one person did the extension.

7 including MG

22 on this walk on another day of sun . Hot inland but on the coast a cooling (even at times slightly TOO cool) breeze. I - and two newbies - soon got left behind due to everyone else whizzing off, but we then indulged in lots of butterfly spotting. Good to see so many still in these drought conditions.

In places the path is getting a bit overgrown and could do with the attentions of the SWC’s legendary (not to say mythical) strimmer squad. On the illegal golf course route around the awkward road section the main group got told off and told to go back to the road: I think this option had better be dropped from the directions.

At least five swam at Sandgate. The sea seemed noticeably nippier than on the Isle of Wight, but was still nice. Quite a few of us then lunched in the very nice seafront restaurant of the Ship - open windows and cool breezes.

After lunch the centre would not hold and things flew apart. Or to put it another way, several repaired to a comfy room in the Ship to watch the tennis, two of us strolled on and I have no idea what happened to everyone else. Three of had a very nice second swim at Folkestone’s Mermaid beach and then explored the revamped Harbour Arm, having “refreshies” at the lighthouse bar at its end. By the time we were done my phone showed 7.30, but only because it had logged itself on to a French mobile network. But 6.30 was still too late to be doing extensions, so we walked back along the top of the Arm and walked out the harbour entrance at low tide and then had chips. Did anyone do one of the longer walk options? If so please post a comment.

Going home the normally reliable high speed trains went into meltdown. We arrived for the 9pm to find it cancelled. A train then thundered through without stopping at 9.01 which the train tracker showed to be the also cancelled 8.00 running an hour late due to a signal problem in Margate. So why couldn’t they have just made it the 9.00? One of us got the last Charing X train and two of us ended up on the 10.00. This apart, a super day out.

In response to Walker's request I did do an extension of sorts, not the full figure of 9 as in the directions but what I thought would be both shorter and a less demanding climb to the top by following the cliff route instructions from walk 13. It did seem to be shorter and the climb following the cliff route not as steep - but not by that much on either score (though this is impressionistic) and it involved a huge amount of backtracking to then return to Folkestone Harbour. Perhaps some intermediate extension could be devised that would extend the walking and get one on at least the intermediate hill with the first Martello tower if not further up for those who don't swim.

I may go to this but I agree with you about the trains. Trying to get from St Pancras to Rye on the HST service last year on a hot Saturday, we found the company had only put on a train with four (maybe five?) carriages. The fare is high as we all know. Lots and lots of people were standing, and the train was packed. Folkestone is not Ashford/Rye, of course, but it is worth considering whether the potential hell of getting there is something you want to go through. I nearly wrote to the company afterwards but didn't quite get round to it. Short trains on hot days are a scandal given the fares we pay.

Sounds like a bad experience, Poppy, but your train to Ashford might have been one that went on to Margate or Broadstairs. The trains to Folkestone this year go only to Folkestone, since the line is suspended beyond there, so hopefully - hopefully - will be less crowded. But we will have to see. August Bank Holday is after all August Bank Holiday....

Just incidentally, the rail companies do not keep lots of extra stock lying idle just to be deployed on hot days in summer. What carriage sets they have are utilised to the maximum on a day to day basis: none are kept in reserve. So frustrating though it may be, they often don't have extra sets to add. High speed trains are in units of six carriages, if I remember correctly. Trains thus have 6 or 12 carriages.

Its worth writing a complaint if you are subjected to such poor travel conditions and also worth asking for compensation.

how come the comments don't always show up even if you press F5 ?

Can you please tell me how far it is from Sandgate station to the sea at Sandling ? half way through?

thanks

Four to five miles? It is in the walk document.

20 on this walk on a day of hot sunshine (sorry, Third Walkers!). No problems on the trains and the partial shade in the morning of the walk was welcome. In two places - just at the start and climbing on the downland ridge - overgrown vegetation was a minor hassle. Hopefully 20 walkers tramping through it will effect some improvement, though not for the first time I reflect that maybe we need to form an SWC path clearing team...

I think at least half of us swam in the sea at some point, some twice. Most of us lunched at the King's Arms in Sandgate which has a lovely upstairs deck overlooking the sea and good seafood options. If anyone went on to do the Folkestone Circular walk I do not know. The bunch I was with got increasingly lazy as the afternoon wore on, exploring Folkestone Harbour, having tea, going out onto the amazing Harbour Arm (the former port area which now has bars and restaurants) and having a late afternoon swim and sunbathe.

Thanks so much Walker! remember this walk from couple of years ago..yes a walk through cooling greenery and then seeing an enticing blue sea on coming out at Sandling just exciting! can't wait to dive in ..

coming out at Sandgate..

How do I join this walk?

You get on one or other of the specified trains, and look for the group on the platform on arrival at Sandling (it is a very quiet station, so other walkers will be obvious).

You need to bring a copy of the walk directions (click not he link in the walk post).

For more information on how our walks work see

http://www.walkingclub.org.uk/swc/index.shtml

really annoyed that as the requester of this walk am now not able to go due to illness. Hope people enjoy swimming in the cooling sea, it's going to be hot weather !

Thank you for Walker.

20 I think Most of them came on the High Speed Train route

glorious sun &_strong_cooling_breeze

An excellent walk through shady woods and over hills giving lovely views and the wind made the heat most of the time very acceptable. Stinging nettles were no fun, all walkers should carry strimmers and use them

Someone phoned the Earl of Clarendon pub to warn then of our impending arrival but the barman said – I will do my best but I am on my own.

Something like 6 were well fed at the Earl and the other 10 or so of us went to the Ship which is a great pub with a raised deck and good food and very friendly service. The wind now was a bit annoying with one lass putting on her waterproof and putting the hood up and the rest of us shivering

Down to the beach for a swim but the waves were too rough so a few paddled then ice cream on the prom in Folkestone and apparently one very brave lad went for a swim.

The funicular railway is fun going both up and down

Good walk and though it was only 11 K it seemed a lot longer – a few steep ups and downs probably meant that we did a lot more.

We fragmented into several groups, and one early group of about 3 swam in the sea outside the Mermaid Cafe where it was a bit calmer. 4 of us walked on to the sandy beach just beyond Folkestone Harbour and enjoyed a lovely dip in calm though freezing water. We'd had lunch at the Ship Inn at Sandgate on the upper outside deck, a great place on this sunny day, and I think it's a good idea to make it the recommended pub stop rather than the Earl of Clarendon which is a bit too small to cope with serving food to more than two people.Sylvia C.

For the record, as Walker says in his post that he hasn't known Sandling to Folkestone & the Folkestone Circular being done together I did this yesterday & it worked very well. Continuing on the promenade from Sandgate, instead of leaving it at Mermaids Beach just continue ahead to eventually reach Folkestone Harbour & go under the railway bridge, picking up the Folkestone Circular directions at para 13. An exhilarating day out!

Definitely concur with Sylvia re. the Ship Inn as a preferred lunch stop if you have more than a brace of walkers. [The Earl of Clarendon, though the food and beer (we hear) very respectable, is tiny and was staffed by the lone landlord - who when he is pulling pints is not preparing food and vice versa.] The Ship Inn has a restaurant at the back and a more informal dining area on the deck, the food was delicious and reasonably priced, plus a selection of pilsener and ales (Greene King).