Heritage Open Days Guided Walk. Wateringbury to Yalding, 10th September.
14 walkers met the Kent Community Rail Partnership team at Wateringbury station for a 4.5 mile guided walk through beautiful countryside to Yalding, inspired by our Hills and Hoppers Rail Trail.
After crossing the railway the group followed a climbing footpath for magnificent views of the Medway valley before reaching the Hoppers Huts. Therese spoke about the history of hop-picking and the role the railways played in bringing Londoners down to Kent to help with the harvest.
The walk traversed undulating footpaths through wheat fields and woodland, interspersed with a few quiet road stretches. The route descended into the historic village of Yalding where Therese shared the tale of how its Almshouses were founded, before crossing its picturesque bridge.
Most of the group stopped to enjoy well-earned refreshments at the welcoming Tea Pot Island café where our guided walk ended. Suitably refueled, we continued on to Yalding station for our trains home.
A thoroughly enjoyable Days Out By Rail adventure, promoting sustainable tourism in the communities along our Medway Valley Line.
