East Malling to East Farleigh

20 September. 18 ramblers were safely escorted across the railway track at East Malling on a slightly overcast but ultimately dry day for a relatively gentle outing in the Kent countryside. A slight incline through fields, then mostly paths in woods reaches the outskirts of Wateringbury.

A friendly walker treated us to some of the local history including the increasing interest in wine as an industry and attempts to diversify from the mostly cherry orchards we passed by. The extensive apple orchards near Waterbury are mostly hidden behind large bushes, but if the sighting of the heavily laden trees made us hungry, a cafe break was just around the corner.

There is a posh cafe on the North side of the Medway, but the Ramblers Rest cafe at the boatyard opposite has a different atmosphere and service, maybe not to everyone’s taste.

Three of our group left the walk at this 4 mile point with an option of following the river path south easterly for about 2 miles to Yalding.

The rest continued east, climbing away from the river to obtain the best views of the day over the Medway valley. Our next stopwas the pub at West Farleigh. There are more good views from the picnic spot and the pub garden was at a pleasant temperature for a further rest.

The afternoon walk is a good path downhill to the medieval bridge at Teston. Nice to look at, difficult for 15 to safely cross. The footpath along the 2 mile or so stretch of the river to East Farleigh is also pleasant and flat, albeit not without incident. But all arrived at the station without a lengthy wait for the trains, taking in the view of the second medieval bridge at the village.

Tony. Thanks to Mary Jane and Robert for photos.