Walking the Medway from Tonbridge
Route facts
Waterways:
River Medway »
Distance: 7 miles / 11 km
Duration: Three/four hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Suitable for: Everyone
Starts at: Tonbridge (bus available from East Peckham)
Ends at: East Peckham
A delightful walk along the navigable River Medway, passing its weirs and big river locks. Plus a nature reserve en route, and a journey through Kentish villages on a local bus.
Getting there
Parking: Parking is available in East Peckham.
Public transport: To start your walk, take the Passenger Services Bus 208 from East Peckham to Tonbridge (Tel: 01622 605935). Catch the bus from outside the Merry Boys Inn in East Peckham - this stop is easier to identify than the one in Old Road, though either will do.
Waypoints
1. Tonbridge Castle
Alight from the bus by the castle in Tonbridge, and walk ahead to the river bridge. Turn down onto Medway Wharf, past the Castle Pub, and then follow a path on the left which leads to the River Medway Navigation. Turn left and after 300 yards you reach Town Lock.
2. Town Lock
Shortly the bank on your right conceals Eldridges Lock, but a path gives access. This part of Kent is traditionally a hop-growing area, and there are numerous oast houses to be seen. The river now dives left over a weir and the navigable channel leads to Porters Lock. The path stays on the left river bank until East Lock.
3. East Lock
Cross over a modern sluice to East Lock, and over the water to the path, now on the right. After entering a patch of trees, the path briefly leaves the waterside. At the next bridge, continue on the right bank. A stile then leads to a tiny footbridge and you are on Bullen Island, which is a delightful nature reserve. Follow the Medway Valley Walk as it returns to the right-hand bank of the river, off Bullen Island at the far end. Continue to the large Sluice Weir Lock half a mile further on.
4. Sluice Weir Lock
To reach the Merry Boys Inn, where we began our exploration, turn left and follow the road around to the junction.
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