"Putting Down Routes" Sustainable Tourism Guided Walk, Charing station to The Signal Box Café at Hollingbourne station, Saturday 21 March 2026 .
Working in collaboration with the North Downs Way National Trail ‘Putting Down Routes’ project Kent CRP managed a 10 mile guided walk from Charing railway station to The Signal Box Café at Hollingbourne railway station. Eighty walkers signed to attend and on the day 37 walkers participated, partly due to transport difficulties (explanation later). The Putting Down Routes project, a collaboration between the Kent Downs National Landscape and the North Downs Way National Trail, is transforming the National Trail into a safer, more inclusive and accessible route where everyone is welcome. Together we all aim to bring more sustainable and accessible tourism to the area and extend the typical summer tourist season to all year round by bringing participants in by train.
A Member of the public was taken ill on the train at Borough Green & Wrotham resulting in it waiting for an ambulance and then only stopping at Maidstone East and Ashford stations – not Charing station where our walk was due to begin. A large number of signed up walkers were on this train and abandoned the walk. Sarah Moon, walk assistant was on the train and tried to inform people that the walk start time would be delayed encouraging them not to leave Maidstone East station and to catch the next train which would stop at Charing station. Some stayed some didn’t – 80 signed up 37 including walk assistants and 3 very well behaved dogs walked. The first arriving group were happy to undertake an unplanned mini guided walk around the historic and picturesque village of Charing whilst we waited for the additional walkers on the next train. This mini guided tour included the ‘poor pence window’, the archbishop’s palace where Henry the Eighth had stayed on his way to the coast, St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church and trying the human sun dial. A great day all in all and everyone was very impressed with the Hollingbourne cafe saying they will definitely return with friends.
The route was mostly walked in a comfortable temperature averaging around 14º with a refreshing cooling breeze at times. The 37 walkers including the support team began the hilly accent through Charing Village to the gently undulating NDW national trail with its many striking views which were enjoyed throughout the day. Many points of interest were shared along the way e.g. farming methods, fauna and flora, history, pilgrims, the memorial chalk cross above Lenham and Percival the Pilgrim above Harrietsham. We were met by PCSO Tania Gill Jones at Lenham, there was concern that quad bike users may interrupt our walk as had been experienced by another group walking this route. Although we passed around half a dozen motor bikes (riding in ones or twos without number plates) and one car we didn’t experience any anti-social behaviour. We were grateful for Tania’s presence on the day.
On arrival at our destination, the community Signal Box Café at Hollingbourne railway station we all enjoyed a warm welcome from Julie Wood, Café manager and her volunteer team (her son and his friend). We are grateful to the cafe team for opening for us at a time when it would have normally finished for business that day.
The majority of walkers travelled for at least some of their journey by train, 17 travelled by car and train with the majority ‘car sharing’ to save on costs, for the flexibility of times, trains taking more than 2 hours to travel between their homes and the walk start station and ability to stop off during their journeys. Those who parked their cars in Charing travelled back from Hollingbourne by train.
All said they enjoyed the Rail to Trail, and most said they would like to walk parts of this route and many of the various parts of the whole 153 mile National Trail independently in the future. Some said they would be worried about getting lost and so would only walk in a guided group. All were impressed with the café ambience and quality of refreshments, and many said they would like to return with friends and family, some made arrangements to do so there and then!
“We really loved this event. Yourself and all the ambassadors were outstanding in your knowledge and engaging with presenting information on the route. Due to going to this event, we are hoping to walk more sections of the North downs via train, but we would also love to attend any more events you organise in the future. We really liked the Signal box cafe and would definitely plan a walk to end or start there!” Charli & Alex – Walk Participants
“I really enjoyed today, thinking about walking on the NDW without you is unfathomable.” Shira Drake – Walk Assistant
Everyone was smiling and had enjoyed the walk. There had been friendly conversation and laughter throughout, with many people planning their next Tracks and Trails adventure.
We hope our walk will inspire you to explore the Kent countryside by train, participants will receive a survey shortly seeking their feedback.
