Black Girls Hike Guided Walk, Saturday 26th July

A group of people pose for a picture in the sunshine beneath a wooden canopy shelter outside a station building. There are window boxes of flowers at windows either side of the closed entrance doors.

Working in collaboration with Kent Downs National Lanscape’s ‘Putting Down Routes’ project, Kent CRP undertook rail safety training and a guided walk on the Kent Downs Way for Black Girls Hike. Together we aim to bring more sustainable tourism to the area and extend the typical summer tourist season to all year round by bringing participants in by train. 

On Saturday 26 July, 7 members of the London branch of ‘Black Girls Hike’, Julia supporting NDW Ambassador and Therese, Project Officer Kent CRP left Charing station for a guided walk along the beautiful Pilgrims Way to Hollingbourne (approx. 10m/16km). 25 walkers had booked via the Black Girls Hike Eventbrite booking system. Fortunately, the weather was bright and warm for the whole walk, around 22º with only a few light minutes of drizzle. We started with viewing the historic houses some being 14th Century and visiting the human sundial, archbishops Palace and St Peter’s and Paul’s church within the historic village of Charing.


The guided walk then led up to the Kent Downs Way National Trail, following the gentle rolling route towards Hollingbourne. There were points of interest along the way, we discussed the ecology of the Kent Downs Way National Trail, some of the farming techniques, historic and current pilgrims, buildings, sculptures and the varied fauna and flora of the trail.

With breaks to take in the views and some refreshment at the Lenham millennium picnic site (former Morrello cherry site), the trail then led to the Lenham Cross, a war memorial carved into the chalk on the North Downs, before heading along the Downs above Harrietsham and meeting ‘Percy the Pilgrim’ for the perfect photo opportunity! The last stretch took us to the pretty village of Hollingbourne where we all enjoyed refreshment at The Sugar Loaves pub before jumping back on the train home or back to cars at Charing station.


All said they would like to join another walk. Kent CRP Project Officer Therese Hammond managed and guided the walk, supported by volunteer North Downs Way Ambassador Julia Yearwood, with Black Girls Hike walk assistant Leianndra Dinnall acting as back marker.


Many of the attendees travelled from London, 5 by train, 4 by car (2 car sharing in each car). Those who drove said they did so due to the high cost of the train ticket i.e. £24 from Bromley South return.

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