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Walking the Medway from Tonbridge
Route facts
Waterways:
River Medway »
Distance: 6.84 miles / 11 km
Duration: Three/four hours
Difficulty: Moderate
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
Start point, walking route: Walking the Medway from Tonbridge
Easting: 559100, Northing: 146500
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.
Easting: 558640, Northing: 146630
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.
Easting: 562497, Northing: 147115
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.
Easting: 567007, Northing: 147998
To reach the Merry Boys Inn, where we began our exploration, turn left and follow the road around to the junction.
Easting: 558646, Northing: 146630
