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Rivers

In summer, river craft are a feature of any walk beside the Medway (Walk 19)

Of Kent’s rivers, the Medway is perhaps the best known. Dividing the county in two, it was once renowned for separating Kentish Men from the Men of Kent – the former were born west of the river, with Men of Kent to the east – but few bother with that distinction today. Rising among the hills of Sussex, the Medway draws from many sources, and by the time it reaches Tonbridge is substantial enough to be navigable by barge. Plans to extend the navigation as far as Penshurst failed, yet today there are no less than 10 navigational locks and flood control sluices between Leigh and Allington. A towpath accompanies the river from Tonbridge to Maidstone, giving a delightful 16-mile/25km walk. A continuation as far as Rochester (not towpath but on paths that are either on the riverbank or not far from it) adds another 12 miles/19km to what is known as the Medway Valley Walk. In this present collection of walks, that which starts from Teston Bridge enjoys one of the best sections along the Medway’s valley.